Photo @paigecambelllinden
Until I started to participate in fashion and beauty shoots I had no idea what happens behind the scenes. I have to confess I had the belief that it was all glamor and fun, which it can be, but it is also very hard work on the part of many people. Doing make-up really well can take a long time as the artist has to think about many things I know I don’t think about when I am slapping mine on in my bathroom. What kind of lighting, clothing worn, mood, the directors and photographers vision determines colors, highlights and textures.
In my field when interprofessional work is done, each discipline brings their discrete knowledge to the mix and then will approach the issue from that perspective. There is a fairly clear agenda and reason why we are all working together. The idea is that problems are complex and so need multiple professionals, in their different roles, to address them. The focus is usually on the how we will work together to get the job done. The client may or may not be part of the process.
In this new world I have stumbled into there is a more utopian perspective in that each profession and/or role engages in collaboration for a different purpose: to create something that would not be possible if one were working alone. There is constant conversation between the make-up artist, the stylist, the director, the brand and the photographer and sometimes the shoot may take a different direction because of these conversations. There is an openness and flexibility to the ideas of others rather than the rigid silos that can sometimes occur in my “other” work. It was clear that everyone had done their homework on me and had checked my platforms. I felt that they had picked me for me; not just because I happened to have grey hair. I have been so fortunate in that every project I have participated in has been incredibly respectful of me and everyone always checks in that I am okay with the choices being made.
Somehow my naiveté always works for me because it is usually after the fact that I find out just how important or famous some of the people I am working with are. In this shoot, the person who did the final hair look that everyone loved in my last post is an incredibly famous hair stylist who has worked with all of the top photographers, models and brands. Somehow me just thinking he was a lovely and friendly man with very cool tattoos helped me remain relaxed and natural.
Perhaps others have different experiences but I have to say that each and every interaction I have had so far really shatters the myth that fashion folk are not nice. I have found them to be generous, creative, engaging, caring, respectful and I could go on and on.
Photo:Emily Strange
Have you ever had an experience that shattered a “myth” about something or someone?
Actually only with rich people I am biased. I have a chip on my shoulder saying that rich people are not nice. Often they indeed are not. Money often "corrupts" people. But there have been times I had to eat such thoughts. Other than that I treat and think about all people being like me. So status doesn’t do anything with my emotions, neither does the lack of it. All thanks to the upbringing of my father who said: "you say please and thank you to everyone and treat them with respect no matter their rank or position. But equally you can demand this from everybody else to you as well." Very sound advice.
Now … on to you. I think you are indeed incredibly fortunate that all these things are happening. Like you I would love this. But hey, you are not an icon by accident (sorry, couldn’t resist this pun). They pick you because you rise above the majority. Hard work pays off.
I work in advertising and have to deal with shoots and advertising agencies all the time. Yes they are nice people, driven by creativity. And yes they change things at the very last minute if this migh improve the work. Which drive me, working in the advertising department of a BANK (rules, regulations, legal departments), up the wall. Deadlines to make, major internal approvement process… changes at the last minute make my life often miserable haha. That is the other side of creativity. In fashion there are no such rules no regulations I guess, so creativity can thrive and people can be much more relaxed.
I love your hair like this. Probably not the best look to maintain, but definitely makes a cool picture.
Right…. that was me ranting away.
Greetje
Your father was exceptionally wise!
It takes some work and a high degree of self awareness, yes?
Actually only with rich people I am biased. I have a chip on my shoulder saying that rich people are not nice. Often they indeed are not. Money often "corrupts" people. But there have been times I had to eat such thoughts. Other than that I treat and think about all people being like me. So status doesn’t do anything with my emotions, neither does the lack of it. All thanks to the upbringing of my father who said: "you say please and thank you to everyone and treat them with respect no matter their rank or position. But equally you can demand this from everybody else to you as well." Very sound advice.
Now … on to you. I think you are indeed incredibly fortunate that all these things are happening. Like you I would love this. But hey, you are not an icon by accident (sorry, couldn’t resist this pun). They pick you because you rise above the majority. Hard work pays off.
I work in advertising and have to deal with shoots and advertising agencies all the time. Yes they are nice people, driven by creativity. And yes they change things at the very last minute if this migh improve the work. Which drive me, working in the advertising department of a BANK (rules, regulations, legal departments), up the wall. Deadlines to make, major internal approvement process… changes at the last minute make my life often miserable haha. That is the other side of creativity. In fashion there are no such rules no regulations I guess, so creativity can thrive and people can be much more relaxed.
I love your hair like this. Probably not the best look to maintain, but definitely makes a cool picture.
Right…. that was me ranting away.
Greetje
Your father was exceptionally wise!
All the time. Doing my work well depends in pertinent part upon my seeing through whatever stereotypes might attach to the person before me to the actual person there.
It takes some work and a high degree of self awareness, yes?
Thank goodness for choices! I feel privileged to have them.
I’ve had similar experiences going back to acting. I think some of it is actually the perspective of our age and other lives, I just see people as another grown up doing a job and talk to them like I would have talked to people in healthcare. In general they have been lovely and if I come across any egomaniac producers, directors or other actors I can choose not to work with them again!
Thank goodness for choices! I feel privileged to have them.
I have not but will. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I love her too.
Absolutely, and some of these were quite thought provoking. Also admire Tilda Swinton. I think she is one of the most amazing women around. Have you seen ‘I am Love’?
I have not but will. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I love her too.
What more can I say? You understand completely.
Many years ago I had a peak into the back stage of fashion and modeling, and I too realized the amount of work and layers of collaboration. These fields at their core are artistic. It changed my perspective on style. Some people can wear a pillowcase and make it appealing. Understanding the intersection of the human form and potentiality is the key to expression. So many people think it’s about buying expensive purchases. It’s not.
Likewise when I learned how movies were made, the bar for appreciating them was changed.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
What more can I say? You understand completely.
I keep waiting for you to "get out of your own way" and just let your creativity flow and see where it all goes.
So true! Every day we shatter a myth about people around, about life, about us! It is all our imagination!
So true! Every day we shatter a myth about people around, about life, about us! It is all our imagination!