Barcelona Hair Academy: A Creative Shoot in Gracia

I’ve been getting my hair cut by Emma for years now, and she’s recently teamed up with Cecilia to launch their new venture: the Barcelona Hair Academy.

A Cool New Space in Gracia

Cecilia invited me to photograph their new location—a stylish space in Gracia. This former industrial building now houses various start-ups, and it was the perfect backdrop for a grooming workshop.

The event focused on male grooming, and let me tell you, beards were definitely mandatory! These kinds of shoots are always fun because they combine glamour with an informal, almost reportage-style vibe. The venue was filled with natural light, which made capturing the shots even more enjoyable.

Lighting and Technique

I used the space’s abundant natural light but added a bit of my own touch with a flash mounted facing the windows. This created a nice crosslight and helped fill in shadows. I also experimented with gels and colour balance to give the images a bit of flair.

The Switch to Capture One Pro 8

This project was originally edited using Apple’s Aperture, but since development was discontinued, I’ve made the switch to Capture One Pro 8. I wanted to test some new techniques, so this shoot ended up in both software programs, giving me the chance to explore their different features.

A Zen-Like Approach to Shooting

When it comes to shoots like these, I find that staying detached is key. The more you let people focus on what they’re doing, the more natural the images turn out. It’s similar to photographing interiors—there’s little interaction, so you can get into a creative flow. Time flies by, and I often end up staying longer than planned, but when 3 hours feels like 2, who’s complaining?