You know it all. I have said it numerous times, fashion photography IS NOT my cup of tea. But again, you know it all. Only fools never change their minds. Mine was pretty easy to change for a reason : boys. My shallow-hearted self couldn't resist to the pictures of cute, good-looking, swagger, classy, mischivious chaps (because there are not enough adjectives to describe all of them) the photographers of Boys by Girls shot. This magazine dedicated to men, men's fashion and youth created by Cecilie Harris swept so much my mind away that I HAD to write about it. And it was promptly done here. The idea of a photographic magazine about men led by a team of female photographers fascinated me, it is not often, not to say never, that masculinity is shown in such a way. I love femininity but also its alter ego, masculinity.
A few time ago I dared ask Cecilie Harris, the editor-in-chief of Boys by Girls an interview to tell us about her magazine, her vision of fashion photography and men. So here is the very first Shoot That Thursday photographer's interview.
Name of the magazine : Boys by Girls
Founder and Editor-in-chief : Cecilie Harris
Site : www.boysbygirls.co.uk
Facebook : Boys by Girls
Twitter : Boys by Girls
1. Tell us about yourself.
I'm a portraiture and fashion photographer. Originally Norwegian, but I am currently based in London. I like chocolate and taking pretty pictures.
2. How did you get into photography ?
It's something I have always done. My uncle is a photographer, so it's something we do in our family.
3. What is your vision of fashion photography nowadays ?
I am focusing a lot of menswear fashion at the moment, which is really booming, so it's a really exciting time.
4. Why did you create Boys by Girls ?
The first issue was a book that me and my friend India Hobson wanted to do together. Once we had done the first one, the project started to get its own life and it developed from there.
5. On the site it is said that "at the moment [you] have a fascination with the male and male fashion, and tends to shoot that because it makes [you] happy." But what actually interest you so much about male and male fashion compared to female and female fashion ? Is that because you felt in this field males are underrated ?
I find male fashion more of an interesting challenge, as you have less elements to work with. This means you have to create something beautiful with less, and you need to get more creative to get an interesting results. This makes casting really interesting, and finding models that are connected with what you are trying to shoot and will give you something interesting. I also love a male model's approach to being in front of the camera, which is often very relaxed.
6. Some of your shootings are made in the models home and some not. When shooting in their environment do you have some preparations beforehand or do you shoot more spontaneously ?
I always have an overall plan, but leave lots of space open to be creative. When shooting at someone's personal space I never know what to expect, so it's hard to plan to much. But that's what makes it exciting and you get results you might never have imagined.
7. You work with a team of female photographers, on which basis do you choose them ?
I look for passion, quality of work and a vision that speaks to me.
8. As a female photographer, in what your vision of male fashion differs from the one of a male photographer ? According to you in which way your pictures differs from the one of a male photographer ?
I think often a female photographer has a softer approach to capturing the male, our eyes see the male differently, so a lot of the time the captures will reflect this.
9. As for the writing part are all the photographers also write about the models they shot or do you have a team of writers ?
No, very few of the photographers are also writers. Some are and then they are free to do that, otherwise I have a great team behind the scenes that do a lot of the writing.
10. When you created Boys by Girls, did you already have in mind to make it a print magazine ? What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to make the leap from digital to print ?
No I never thought it would turn into a print magazine, but I'm very happy it has! Sometimes things happen that you didn't expect, and it starts creating its own road to go down. Leaping from digital to print, you need a clear vision, be able to offer something that isn't in the marketplace already and you need money to print.
As usual I am all ears (eyes sorry!) waiting to read your thoughts about Boys by Girls and Cecilie's photographic vision, so don't hesitate to let a comment below !
It's an interesting concept. But I like it. And I tend to agree that the female sees the male differently, these pictures have an engaging sense of realism. Now is the time to be pushing the menswear angle, the whole industry is going crazy, the recent London Collections case in point. I'm personally stoked, I have a love of menswear that verges on obsession. So bring on the editorials and the fashion.
ReplyDeleteHello Kirby,
DeleteI think the magic of Boys by Girls lies in the fact their pictures are between dream and reality. I tend to think male models have much more freedom to express their personality than female models hence a more interesting approach to fashion photography thanks to them.
I have seen lately that male fashion is gaining more and more attention but I am also afraid that because of that there will start to be more models conforming to a certain aesthetic. But let's hope it doesn't happen !
Visit Boys by Girls site to get more attention on menswear, you won't be disappointed ;) !
Thanks a lot for your comment and thank you !
Thumbs up for this interview Shug ! I have always complimented you on your interviewing skills, but today I also want to compliment on your courage. To ask someone successful and important can be intimidating... But this shows that things are more accessible than we would like to believe. Also, the fact that you talked about them already on the blog.. must have told Cecilie that you are genuinely in love with the magazine and its perspective.
ReplyDeleteI like Cecilie's vision as well. I have been intrigued by their magazine from the very first time you discussed them on the blog. :) I agree that menswear fashion is under-explored plus really tests your creativity as you have little to play with.
Swati @ The Creative Bent
Hello Swati,
DeleteThank you so much, your words are always so encouraging ! I did wonder a lot ask her or not for an interview though Incognito is not a well-known blog. But I think she accepted first because of my interest in Boys by Girls since she read my previous post on her magazine and secondly I think she saw I was serious. So your guess was right.
Internet makes everything much more attainable eventhough it is hard sometimes (if not most of the times :p). It provides a lot of bad stuff but also a lot of interesting content hence my love for it. But most importantly it helps you create bond with people from different places and cultures and that what is exactly happening between you and me and between Cecilie and me. I really enjoy this sharing of vision and knowledge and that's maybe why I was less afraid than I thought when I contacted her (but still I checked my mailbox like a thousand times every second ahaha).
Her magazine is really an eye-opener and I really hope fashion photography when concerning womenswear would turn as interesting as she is making it for menswear. (Hope I have been clear in this part, I am not sure anymore of my english after spending hours translating whilst speaking french, italian and english and hearing german..).
Thanks a lot for your comment !
See you !
Great interview darling! I think is refreshing to see creative male editorial, also love the idea of taking the photos in their own space, such a simple idea yet genius, the photos seam more natural and spontaneous
ReplyDeleteHey Victoria,
DeleteThanks a lot for passing by ! I am glad you enjoyed the interview ! I absolutely agree with you though I think male editorials are way more interesting than female ones since male models seem to be much more natural.
That's exactly what made me love Boys by Girls this much, the simplicity of the concept.
See you !