Paris Haute Couture Week
Paris fashion week has ended with a few notable changes from last year. John Galliano, of course was missing, after being fired from Dior last month and thankfully, there were no models slipping and falling on the runway. Even so, there was plenty of excitement in the collections that were shown. Feathers and flamboyant headdresses made an appearance nearly everywhere. One designer who can always be counted on to bring a party to the runway and hands down our fav this year was John Paul Gaultier. His lavish show in a salon near the Pompidou didn’t disappoint.
Gaultier suit inspired by Amy Westcott's costumes from The Black Swan
Flamboyant feathery look from Jean Paul Gaultier
Our Paris Fashion Photo Workshop – Fall 2011
Our next Fashion Photography Week In Paris is scheduled for the fall of 2011 (Sept. 28th-Oct. 8th) during Prêt-à-Porter Fashion Week. If you’re an emerging photographer with a strong desire to become a fashion photographer, you may be a candidate for our mentorship program. Student photographers come from all over the globe to the fashion capital of the world. Check out our Recent Posts for entries and photos from previous years, including Paris fashion shows, photo shoots, visits with industry pros and lots of other activities! For more details on this year’s program, visit our website. We require a portfolio review of images (online gallery or website) and other eligibility requirements.
Our best to the people of Japan and Nikon
We want to begin by saying our hearts ache for everyone in Japan and those who have loved ones there. The devastation from yesterday’s massive earthquake is simply inconceivable. We’ve personally lived through earthquakes (California) and hurricanes (Texas) but like most people have seen nothing of this magnitude. The 8.9 quake was centered near Sendai in the northeastern part of Japan. Nikon has a factory in the Sendai area where they produce their DSLR hi-end cameras. It’s located just inland near Natori City which was hit hard by both the quake and especially the tsunami, according to reports. We have a special connection to Nikon, as they sponsored us with camera equipment for our Paris and Los Angeles fashion photo workshops for three years. They also ran a story about us in Nikon World Magazine. We pray that those who work in the factory are safe and can find some resilience, along with all of Japan, in getting through this.
The Nikon factory is several miles inland near Natori City. On bottom right of map is the Sendai Airport. Credit: Google Maps
Aftermath of the 8.9 quake and tsunami in Sendai. Photo credit: Reuters/Kyodo from www.totallycoolpix.com
Spotlight: Where is she now?
In 2009, we met a young photographer, Kristy, in Los Angeles, who was on her way to Paris to fulfill a lifelong dream. At that point she had never been to Europe, didn’t speak French and had no work prospects. She also didn’t have a lot of fashion in her book but had some nice images and incredible joie de vivre.
Kristy during our fashion photo workshop in Paris
What were your first experiences like in the Paris fashion world?
“The first runway show I ever attended was with you in the summer of 2009 near the Eiffel Tower. I was amazed and in awe of the beauty and I remember thinking it was only the beginning! I made a goal to be photographing fashion week by the summer of 2010. My first Paris fashion shoot was also with the workshop and Steven guiding us. It was with professional models and team on location in the center of Paris. This experience really gave me the confidence and foundation to create caliber work on my own.”
What have you been up to since then, in the last year and a half?
“Remarkably, the company I started working for sent me out to photograph my first couple of runway shows in Paris within six months! I’ve photographed over 80 fashion shows and presentations. To name a few… John Galliano, Givenchy, Kenzo, Lanvin, Pierre Cardin, On Aura Tout Vu, Alexis Mabille, Guy Laroche and Paul & Joe. Recently, I was also asked to shoot the Giorgio Armani show and with Louis Vuitton. These were special moments for me. There are no words for how amazing this has been because I’ve worked very hard to be here and it is paying off.”
Wow, you’ve been staying busy. Are you shooting off the runway as well?
“Yes, I’ve been continuing to build my portfolio – working with local model agencies, designers and a very talented stylist, Gabriel, who styles my shoots.”
You’ve been doing well in Paris. Do you have any advice for other young photographers with a passion and dream to be a fashion photographer?
“My time in Paris has been equally as difficult as its been rewarding. Learning French (a work in progress), being away from all familiarities and walking toward the unknown can be intimidating. But I have realized that even if I have no idea what is going on, it means I’m still learning something. My advice – which is how I live my own life – is to keep learning, really enjoy the profession and the people you work with. This is key and I look forward to continuing down this path for the rest of my life.”
Thanks Kristy for sharing your thoughts with our readers. You know we wish you the best of luck as you move forward in your career! We’re encouraging everyone to keep their eyes on you!
See some of Kristy’s work below and here:
www.sparowphotography.com
www.sparowphotography.blogspot.com
Giorgio Armani Haute Couture, Paris 2011
On Aura Tout Vu Haute Couture, Paris 2011
Philip Lim Men's Wear runway, Paris 2011
Kick Off A New Year In Fashion Photography
So it’s the beginning of the new year and we want to start it off by wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011! It’s always great to begin fresh and kick off bad photography habits like a pair of old stilettos.
Photographed during Fashion Photography Week In Paris
One tip toward this is to get someone who is in the “know” – not just a friend or family member – to help you evaluate your portfolio. The is just one step on the road but plays a key role. If you are an emerging photographer and don’t know anyone in the industry yet (a fashion art director, fashion magazine photo editor, etc.) we have reviewed hundreds of portfolios for our Paris and Los Angeles fashion photo workshops and mentorships, and are seasoned professionals at the highest levels of fashion editorial and advertising. So if you’d like another “eye” to offer an unbiased opinion, please feel free to contact us. It’s another way we like to give back to our fashion photo community.
Update: Emily Goes Bald
Emily, one of our Paris fashion photo workshop alums, made her goal and raised over $10,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Thanks to all of our followers who may have contributed to the cause (see entry below). On Thanksgiving weekend in front of her mom and a crowd of well-wishers she had it all shaved off by a professional hair stylist. Here’s a recent photo! We think she looks as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. Try to stay warm this winter, Emily!
Photographer shaves hair for cancer cure
Spotlight: One Of Our Students Shaves Hair For Cancer Cure
In summer, 2010, we met Emily, a college student who was in our fashion photo workshop in Paris. She is a talented photographer with a heart of gold. In her personal life, she has been helping to care for her mother who has been battling cancer for the last 10 years. Emily recently decided to do something we think is amazing – she has pledged to SHAVE HER GORGEOUS HAIR on Thanksgiving weekend publicly and is raising $10,000 to help find new medications and a cure for Breast Cancer. The money will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The first goal of $5000 has been reached but the second goal of the remaining $5000 hasn’t. Chances are we all have been touched by cancer at some point in our lives – a loved one or a friend. We hope when you read this you will decide to help by donating even a small amount. There are direct results from donations and Emily’s mother is a powerful example – her 10-year battle has been helped by new medicines and treatments that have become available thanks to research funded by organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We are in awe of Emily’s mom for her strength – and of Emily for her maturity well beyond her age! If you’d like TO LEARN MORE OR DONATE, PLEASE VISIT: http://tinyurl.com/emilygoesbald2
Emily pledges to shave her hair for a cancer cure.
New Press For Our Fashion Photo Workshops
Wahoo! We have new press in the last month from LA Weekly, NBC-LA, and Mondette for our Fashion Photography Week In Paris mentorship and group photo exhibit “Paris Fashion And Art As One.” Click on thumbnails below to read in full. Additional coverage from the last few years is on our website’s press page
LA Weekly article on our fashion photo workshop and exhibit opening.
NBC-LA article on our mentorship program plus info about our exhibit.
Mondette recommendation for our exhibit opening on August 17, 2010.
Paris Fashion Photo Workshop Exhibit
On August 17th we had a huge turnout for the opening night of our group photo exhibit at ArtLab, an upscale art gallery/salon on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Ten of our Paris 2010 photographers exhibited together with Steven, who had mentored them. Our “Paris Fashion and Art As One” was a fantastic success and thanks again to everyone who exhibited and made an appearance. A half dozen or more ad executives, art directors and agency art buyers came out (those are the ones we actually knew!) along with a bevy of fashionistas, art-lovers, photographers, producers, models, makeup artists, hair stylists and other industry pros. We received sooooo many comments on how great the photos were! Truxton’s provided the food and drink, and we want to extend a special thanks to an anonymous art patron who helped make it possible (you know who you are!) as well as Profoto, Samy’s Camera, Angeleno Magazine, ArtLab, LuxeLab, Kiehl’s, Kerastase, and PhotoJobsDatabase. “La mode de Paris et l’art comme l’un” will be on view thru the end of October.
Brittany greets a guest at our exhibit's opening night.
Alana, and her friend, Zach, in front of her Paris photos.
The entrance to ArtLab on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.
Krystle at the opening night of our group exhibit.
Steven with Brittany in front of her work at the exhibit's opening night.
An advertising art director points out Tina's photos to a friend.
An ad exec checks out Alysia's photos.
Art patrons study photos that our photographers took in Paris.
Los Angeles models (l to r): Adriana, Chase and Kaitlyn
Renowned art director John Cabalka and his wife Cynthia.
Guest bags filled with Angeleno magazines, fun samples and gift certificates!
Paris Fashion Photo Workshop 2010 Wraps Up
Fashion week has ended and for the workshop’s last Saturday in Paris, we took a boat ride down the Seine. From the bateau, everyone could take in the incredibly beautiful weather and sites as it cruised thru the middle of Paris. Later, for dinner we headed to Joe Allen’s to celebrate the success of the workshop and 3 special birthdays!
Our photographers line up on the bateau for the best shots of Paris
A fantastic view of the city and architecture.
Madeline, Alana, Emily and Krystle as the boat passes under the Eiffel.
The prison where Marie Antoinette was kept.
Photographers have a last workshop dinner together before leaving Paris.
(l to r) Krystle, Brittany and Emily celebrate their birthdays together.
