Behind the Lens: A Day Shooting Fresh Faces 2012
I recently spent a day photographing an event, I was also interviewed for it and below is the unedited text I supplied them, I don’t know how it will be edited, it rambles and rants a bit, but what the hell, I wanted to get something new online…
Q: How did the Fresh Faces 2012 shoot go?
A: It went very well! It was a long day, but the wine, cava, and canapés at the end were much appreciated.
Q: What did you think of the models and the winners, Magdalena and Jose Manuel?
A: There were four winners, including the Revlon award. The models were split into two categories: classic and edgier styles. All in all, a great group of people, and they were very friendly.
Q: Was it easy to work with the models and organizers?
A: It was very easy. I had a lot of freedom. I usually use more lighting, but for this shoot, I traveled light and worked mostly with ambient light. I tried to be a fly on the wall, although models seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to cameras, so capturing them unnoticed was a challenge.
Q: What was the highlight of the day and which are your favorite 3 shots from the contest?
A: The catwalk was the most exciting part—I’ve never shot one before, so it was a learning experience. I also enjoyed photographing the models getting made up. That’s something I could do for hours, but I’m starting to feel the need to find fresh perspectives, as it can get repetitive.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?
A: I studied Philosophy and Literature at university, but I’ve always had a love for photography. I started as a kid in school and learned the darkroom. After a year of traveling and shooting travel photos, I got a job as an assistant, which was my real education. Big shoots with loads of lighting and traveling around the world—there’s no substitute for learning on the job. My advice? You don’t need university; assist a pro, teach yourself, and learn the rules before you decide to break them.
Q: What photography do you specialize in? Is it fashion?
A: Living in Barcelona, I believe versatility is key to getting work. I don’t specialize in one thing—I shoot a variety of genres. That said, I love shooting people, often in different environments. I tend to use artificial lighting and enjoy modern architecture as well, where I can experiment with form, color, and light—almost like abstract painting.
Q: Who are your inspirations or influences?
A: For day-to-day inspiration, I follow a few blogs like Strobist and The Candid Frame. As for photographers, I’m drawn to Robert Frank. His exhibition in New York a couple of years ago really stuck with me. I wasn’t so impressed by the prints themselves, but his contact sheets were fascinating. They captured the true creative process—mistakes, selections, and the journey from idea to final image. I’d love to see more exhibitions that focus on the process rather than just the final product.
Q: Do you have any success stories or notable works you’d like to share?
A: To be honest, some of my most memorable shoots weren’t with famous people or for well-known magazines. The best shoots are those where you meet interesting people with compelling stories. Any shoot where I go in unsure and come out with something I love feels like a success. On the other hand, when I’ve planned everything down to the last detail and the shot is just a formality, that’s a success too. Weddings are also some of the hardest work I do, but they’re incredibly rewarding. You need 20+ amazing shots in a single day. I think most fashion photographers should try shooting a wedding at least once—it’s a real eye-opener.
Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges for photographers today?
A: The biggest challenge is surviving in a world where so many people think they’re professional photographers just because they bought a DSLR. Today, photography often rewards people with good business acumen or the right contacts more than actual talent. As a result, many photographers rely on gimmicky trends rather than developing their own style. A lot of money-making photography isn’t glamorous, but it requires strong technical skills. Passing off poorly executed shots as ‘arty’ won’t cut it.