CMR Photography

Having already shot my friend Emily’s designs under her label Baroque & Roll, earlier in the year at Deville’s Pad in Perth,  I was ecstatic that her plans to show her new collection at the Sydney Tattoo & Body Mod Expo in March 2010 came to fruition.  Em is sincerely one of the best emerging Australian designers out there at the moment, and her garments simply have to be seen to be believed.

Emily has a very strong and focused design asthetic, and over the last weekend, I definitely saw the inner workings of the label in action.  Despite running on an almost impossible deadline for this show, Emily refuses to take shortcuts or cut corners, even if it means pulling two all-nighters in a row to make sure everything came together perfectly.  This asthetic and dedication is what makes working with Baroque & Roll so exiting, as the look is undeniably unique, and the models she uses are always incredible.

Em prides her label in not using many (if any) professional models, instead having real Aussie alt girls with attitude walk the catwalk in her amazing clothes.  The transformation of some of these girls when they put on the garments is incredible, from quite shy or nervous into sex on legs with killer attitude.  And the guys?  Yep, Em released a line of mens pants in this collection, and whilst the guys already had killer sexy attitude, this was heightened tenfold with the use of amazing wolf masks, fake blood and a macabre storyline as the background to the show.

The catwalk show was nothing short of mindblowing.  This may be because I’m slightly biased, but watching the recording of the show back later on, we saw with absolute joy that it was as perfect as it ever could have been.  Despite a few set-backs and last minute changes to the choreography, each and every model pulled it together like an absolute pro, every step was matched perfectly to the music, the attitude was electric, the clothing looked better that I ever could have imagined.  The show stealer was the inclusion of the unstoppable Vesper White, one of the original Baroque & Roll models, and one of the most beautiful and inspiring young burlesque performers in the country.

So how did this all come together?  Em has a very dedicated team of people around her ready and willing to help and support this label, and I count myself amongst this group.  We are all so passionate about helping in whatever way we can to lift this label up to the next level and really help to solidify Baroque & Roll’s place in the Australian alternative fashion market.

So, this is of course where I came in.  I had volunteered to shoot for Em when I had heard about her Perth show, and on the night we arranged something which has now become somewhat of an institution for us.  The “Glamour Booth”.   At both of the shows, we set up a ad-hoc studio and I shot all of the models fresh off the catwalk.  This way, we not only got catwalk images, but amazing studio quality images of all the models as well, which are going to be used in some very exciting ways.  So obviously when I heard about the Sydney show I immediately put my hand up for the job.

The glamour both has tested my skill and merit as a photographer in many ways.  I have to be super prepared, not like at a normal shoot where you usually have all day or at least a good 4 hour block.  I have to find a suitable place to set up wherever they’ve shown, and try and make sure the backdrop is suitable.  Yesterday, we hung red fabric in front of a window, and used the natural sunlight as a backlight.  We used one umbrella for a slight spotlight effect, and the pictures just turned out so amazing, I still almost can’t believe my eyes at how great that fabric looked.

Also, after a show the models are buzzing.  Although it’s fantastic for the energy and attitude, sometimes they have a little trouble concentrating.  They’ve also been in hair, make-up, fittings and run-throughs all day and really want their responsibilities  to be over so they can go and enjoy themselves (and I don’t say I blame them!).  We had 14 models.  I shot each of them after the show in about 2 minutes each.  This is always completely nerve wrecking, as again, you don’t have half a day and 500+ shots to get it right, we needed 14 heartstopping shots in about half an hour, no exceptions.

In the end somehow it always works out.  I am constantly surprised (I hope I don’t sound up myself here) at how well my images turn out when I’m having a complete mental breakdown about how terrible I’m sure they are.  Last night, I hadn’t even looked through the RAWs, and I was being asked by the designer to show them.  It was make or break, didn’t even have time to properly look at them first myself.  I loaded them up, handed over the laptop, then nervously peered over her shoulder at what I had created.  A wave of relief washed over me when I could see the backstage shots are quirky and candid, the catwalk shots are totally decent (I was really worried about this as I was constantly jostling with all of the other photographers for a clear shot), and the glamour booth shots actually blew my mind just a little bit.

I do think it helps to work with someone who is so in tune with their own vision, as well as models who can only be described as stunning.  And even the more reserved girls managed to get their ‘tude on and work it for the lens.  I will be so happy and proud when these shots get released!

I feel absolutely blessed to have been able to take part in these unique events.  I have met some fabulous people and have made many new friends over here, I have had the opportunity to travel to a city I have never been before and experience, for the first time really, the joy of travelling and working at what I love, instead of being chained to a desk being criticized for not being a “team player” in a corporate office full of sheltered suits.  This trip and all it has brought has inspired me so much.  I have been around more people like myself, who will put so much of themselves into what they love, because they have no other choice than to answer that yearning and make something incredible out of their lives.

Thankyou so much to Baroque & Roll for the life-changing opportunity, to Emily and Kain for putting me up, showing me the sights and letting me sleep on their floor with their cat, to everyone involved in the expo for supporting alternative culture in Australia, to James & Tash for the wicked catchup, drinks, conversations, laughs and hugs, to all of the models for being beautiful inside and out and letting me shoot them in the face, and thankyou, finally, to Sydney, you treated me well my dear.  I can’t wait to see you again.

You can see the video footage of the parade HERE!