Fantasy Portraits
We’ve an update on our fantasy portrait posts from a few weeks ago (Friday fun #24). After a few discussions with Yves de Contades the photographer, we made it through to feature in the shoot for International Life magazine. The photographic review will feature 10 of the top creative departments in the UK, living out their fantasies.
Our selected idea was based on the little shop of Brick Lane horrors; an assortment of curious creatives in an antique setting reflecting a number of sartorial styles. Originally we had planned a set of selected fashion disasters but with our groups’ inherit elegance we were more eclectic than calamity. We have to say a massive thank you to Beyond Retro for supplying some amazing outfits and making us dramatically better dressed.
So in went the assorted props, on went the makeup, in went the people. After a short time corralling, lifting and nudging the team into position, we were ready for the shot. Apply more smoke, look at camera and avoid a blink, snap, snap, snap. The results looked great and after hearing what Yves was planning to do in his digital dark room, we’re very much looking forward to seeing the end result.
Badger Hunter
In addition to the group shot, we did several other portraits to be included in the exhibition. Our own (as he is now affectionately referred to) Chris Clarke choose to live out his badger fantasy, dressed in tweet and shooting nocturnal omnivores in a glamourous bar. Naturally a few drinks where involved but I have it on good authority it was only water. The appearance of some bloody wounds to the face were, of course real, but fear not he does this every weekend. That’s wear tweed not cull badgers I hasten to add.
History Clash
My fellow 118 188 collaborator Marcus Mustafa, our Head of Experience, was selected to play his alterego Frank ‘cheaper drugs now’ Gallagher in a bizarre Edwardian drama meets 21st Century icon. Sarah Morris, one of our EA Directors, was a bonnet clad Jacqui the ripper stabbing and slashing a a can of Special Brew from the inebriated soul. Quite what this says about their fantasy heaven only knows… I will say Marcus’ wife, a professional makeup artist did a great job of making the wound look realistic and Marcus himself brought an uncanny realism to the role. It’s strange how we never see Frank and Marcus together in the same room.
Rock Album Redux
So, to yours truly. Originally this fantasy was to be more blood (what is it with us LBi males), with me featuring as a severed head. But an unfortunate moment with a top-knot and a connection to a 70s rock band led to a different outcome. So Laura and I decided to recreate Fleetwood Mac’s rumours album cover, with mice instead of balls – for a tongue in cheek “we’d rather hack than Fleetwood Mac”. Our alternative shots are probably more entertaining than the faithful recreation we attempted.
We look forward to seeing the final results for all the shots mentioned above. A big thank you to Yves for the photography, and Beyond Retro for supplying some cool gear.
Tags: Friday fun, photography, portrait, retro