Garage Studios

Natasha has been testing male models all week, we like to keep things fair after all, and we don’t have enough Male Model shots in our portfolio at the minute so Tash has been street casting, asking on FB and contacting local talent. None of the models below have, as of yet, done any editorial modelling but most have some catwalk experience and have been scouted by a few agencies.

The purpose of these tests is to get some natural images of the model, see how they work in the studio, their ability to work with a photographer, and in return they get to use the shots in their portfolio. We are looking to find a collection of male models to work with for both personal and commercial editorials, and this is also an opportunity for guys that are interested in expanding their modelling experience.

If you are interested in coming in for a test shoot- either Male or Female models- then please contact us info@garage-studios.co.uk . We’ll probably ask for a simple headshot to be mailed over and then contact you to book in a time and date. There is no guarantee it will lead to further work but not only do clients often want to go through our book to pick models, but also a lot of local photographers contact us asking for model recommendations. We normally like to allow and 1hr 1/2 for each test.

Natasha has some really good lighting going on here, and hopefully we will add a lighting blog about this later on in the week.

We have contributed to a new book by Kevin Meredith, 52 Photographic Projects, an essential guide for photographers that features the diverse work of over 20 photographers, from full time Professionals to keen amateurs. It also includes the work of former Studio Manager, now Wedding Photographer Adam Bronkhost and Garage founder Kevin Mason.

The book weighs in at just under 300 pages, and is much bigger than the debut Hot Shots a guide to point and shoot photobook by Kevin Meredith, aka Lomokev, and as well as showcasing more of his own skills it provides insight into the minds, eyes and visual projects of a wide range of talent.

We will have a full review up soon, but for now here is the UK cover and an excerpt from Kevins section on Working with Models.

The book retails at £22.95, but even better option is to get along to the London launch which is tonight. Some of the authors will also be there to sign copies, not myself as I am sat here in Brighton typing this, but some of the outstanding UK contributors will be attending. Kevs launches are always fun, I think we set the standard at the launch of Hot Shots, the sell-out book, from our launch at Garage way back. To find out all the details and probably a map then go here. There will be copies for sale and also free beers, and Kev will no doubt be on good anecdotal form- so drop everything and get along to the launch with some scrilla in hand. Kev on Twitter.

We have had the pleasure of working with artist, Jez Eaton on a couple of shoots, but the most recent and most successful has been the shoot Kevin devised for Brighton Fashion Week. Jez worked on the make-up for this shoot and really nailed the brief whilst bringing here own flair and touch of magic to the shoot.

Hair and Make-Up by Jez Eaton

Hair and Make-Up by Jez Eaton

She also showcased her own incredible work during BFW with her Trashion show, which its probably fair to say became the most memorable highlight of an exciting few days. You can see the shots of her designs here , all images by Mary Pryce, backstage for Garage. As a result of watching the show, 125 Magazine have interviewed Jez and you can read it here- she has had a hugely interesting life, and its definitely well worth a look.

Well done Jez, we are looking forward to working with you again sometime,

Garage.

Garage Studios are in todays Brighton Argus, with an interview with one of the founders, Kevin Mason, during our last swimwear shoot. This was the shoot we streamed live online- and you can see some of the screen grabs in the article below and watch the footage on the link. It was a very hectic and long day but fortunately the Argus Journalist Nione Meakin was pretty patient and stayed for a few hours to get the flavour of a Garage Shoot. The first paragraph of the article really sums up a day at Garage. Go and grab a copy when you can and read the whole thing without the eye strain that this tear sheet might induce.

Nione first got in touch as they had been watching the studio for a while, seeing what has been coming out- but more importantly for us they picked up on the strong emphasis we have on using Brighton talents and showcasing others skills, from stylist to illustrators working on set pieces…. and so decided to feature us in this Fridays Guide.

Garage is changing a lot, really beginning to find its stride after almost two years and you’ll see a lot more creative shoots coming out of the studio soon- and we are very proud and excited about some of the things with have in the pipeline.

As most people know a lot about my work, (kevin) already, we will be introducing some background to Matt (co-founder) and Natasha soon, and hopefully also highlighting personal projects of some our more regular team. The article missed out mention of ex Studio Manager Adam- who was instrumental also in the first 18 months of the business- but I guess that was purely a space issue- we did big you up man. To be fair I think Matts name only made it twice, I should really learn to draw breath during interviews, give others a chance to chat…

Anyways its a nice feature and thanks for the Argus for thinking of us.

DEAD EAGLE TRAIL – Portraits of the American Cowboy

There is a really exciting new exhibition at the CraneKalman Gallery that kevin blogged about on his tumblr recently. It’s Jane Hilton’s amazing portrayal of the American Cowboys. Jane Hilton worked as an assistant for numerous fashion and advertising photographers in London, before going it alone in 1988. It was on her first trip to Arizona in 1988, that she discovered an obsession for America and American culture. It was her return to Arizona in 2006, when she was commissioned to photograph a handsome 17 year old cowboy, that she was inspired to travel the states and capture one the most iconic archetypes of American culture and history and a way of life that is in steady decline as developers buy up the ranch land across the old West. Dead Eagle Trail is a document to the cowboy of the twenty first century.

I can’t help but be pulled and locked into everyone of these images. For me the first and last image in this blog, selected from the series, are my favourite out of the project. The light through the red netted curtains and the blinds instantly gets my attention. The strong gaze from both the cowboys really pulls you in and you are left to carry on looking at the details from the environments that surround the subject. In contrast to the harshness of the subject’s daily lives, Jane’s images manage to capture a beautiful sense of calmness. I’m really looking forward to see these images in print.  This is going to be a must see exhibition, so make sure you don’t miss it.

NATASHA ALIPOUR-FARIDANI

Dead Eagle Trail – Jane Hilton will run from 14^th July – 29^th August at the Crane Kalman Gallery, Brighton, 38 Kensington Gardens, North Laine, Brighton BN1 4AL

CraneKalman Brighton Gallery

Jane Hilton

Jane Hilton

Jane Hilton

Jane Hilton