Photoshoot photographer Dordogne, France. Family portrait photoshoot photographers, editorial & fashion photoshoots. Eymet, Beaumont, Monpazier, Monflanquin, Villereal, Issigeac, Bergerac, Sarlat, Fumel

It’s funny how little ideas develop in one’s subconscious to later become significant in one’s life....

I was given a totally open brief to photograph 3 exquisitely made, classic French jackets. This seldom happens, the client is usually very specific about how they want their product to be shot, and the work of Peter Lindbergh immediately sprang to mind. He’s one of (if not the) best fashion photographers ever, and the one who created the concept of the ‘Super Model’. Lindbergh treated the models as the most important thing in the image, he treated them as his friends and his peers, the clothing was secondary in his eyes. The models responded with exceptional work, performances which other photographers seldom drew out of their models.

Lindbergh shot the Pirelli Calendar twice, and throughout his career he’d shoot on overcast days or in disused warehouses for the diffused, low contrast light, and famously built ‘black tents’ at many locations in order to block direct light and achieve flat (Ish) lighting which was mostly from the front. Always telling a story with the image, the clothing was (to him) just something that the models happened to be wearing. Famous names looked to him to shoot their brand, and when he died at the early age of 74 he was still at the top of his game.

After shooting the jackets I often thought how wonderful it would be if I could shoot all portraits in a style that I chose. And 3 years later I started this project, shooting portraits of my choice, in the styles of famous photographers.

I owe a great deal to all the volunteer models who were and are so generous with their time.

Andy Gotts is a British photographer, he’s shot many famous names such as Harrison Ford, Robert de Niro and Kate Winslet to musical icons that include Elton John, Tom Jones and Ringo Starr. He’s know for setting up in a hotel room shortly before his subjects arrive and totally nailing a stunning image within a few minutes. He’s also know for his edgy portraits of cinema’s tough men such as Clint Eastwood & Pierce Brosnan, so edgy that their eyes are sometimes totally in shadow

Thank you to my dear friend Garry for stepping-up and absolutely nailing exactly what I asked for within minutes!

Peter Hurley is a former Olympic Sailor from New South Wales who works in New York. He is acknowledged as the foremost authority on headshot photography. He built his business on soft window light portraits before developing a continuous, panel light system which gives beautiful, soft, flattering light, with a distinctive triangular catchlight in the eyes of his subjects. I initially used 4 lights for this style, and later changed to 3.

Thank you to Alex, a friend of a friend who was so generous with her time, and for her enthusiasm to help with the project.