Behind the Lens: Jamie Beck
November 20, 2009 by Kathryn Wirsing
Filed under Interviews, Parties & People, Photography
Just in time for all you Twilight hungry fans, Immortal Autumn takes a fashionable look at one hot vampire. Submitted by Jamie Beck, I was able to ask some questions about the editorial. Read on below for all the details that went into this fashion shoot:
KW: Tell me how you came up with the concept for the shoot. Are you a Twilight fan?
JB: I’ve actually never seen Twilight. I guess vampires are in the collective conscience right now. The concept of the shoot came about through conversations with Kylie, the stylist on this shoot. She was talking about a guy in Brooklyn that wears a lace scarf in the most beautiful way and how she’d like to do something similar to that in a shoot. We got to talking and the visuals just all came into focus, the lace neck scarf, very old world feeling then that visual alluded to a vampire inspired look without being literal. It worked out perfect because of Terence’s pale skin and long hair. Kylie also worked with designer Brian Wood for some key pieces.
KW: The model is perfect for the shoot. Terence reminds me of Interview with the Vampire.
JB: Terence is with ORB Model Management. I work with this agency a lot, Tony is great and he sends me models to shoot so this is how I found Terence and it just all fell into place. Actually, the model said vampire-esque shoots are his favorite to do so he was very natural in this whole story.
KW: How about the location, where was it? What factors went into deciding where you would shoot?
JB: The location was actually my brownstone’s roof! I was location scouting and I thought the whole roof and chimney sweeps visual was very London feeling and again, nods to the image of vampires and being in an old building there were a lot of great worn textures to shoot around.
KW: How long have you been doing photography?
JB: Honestly I did my first “photo shoot” when I was 13 with my best friend in Texas. Photography is all I’ve ever done. I would even lie in bed and visualize photo shoots and my future office at Vogue. I later went to college at FIT for photography and graduated in 2005. I’ve never stopped shooting.
KW: If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?
JB: I can’t even imagine. Photography is just how I see the world. I would have loved to have been a 1940’s housewife but I’d still have taken photos which would have been really fun back then when everyone was still so glamorous in everyday life.
KW: I know it’s true. The beautiful details and attention paid to everyday wear was impeccable. Tell me some sources of inspiration for you.
JB: I’m really inspired by 60s blues music right now. A standard inspiration for me is old jazz and artists such as Dinah Washington. I find old opulent buildings in New York City a source for inspiration, imagining the world that moved through them in decades past. I’m really into beautiful black and white photographs right now; focusing on shapes and conveying emotions.
KW: What are some things you’re working on for future shoots? What would your dream shoot concept be?
JB: I actually just finished a 1960s, very chic, very French inspired shoot. Later this week we are doing 1940’s Billie Holiday Harlem inspired shoot. My dream shoot would have to be couture gowns somewhere in Paris; very romantic, very old world, very voluminous.
KW: What’s your favorite horror movie villain or hero? Such an obsession with vampires recently right?
JB: There is, I really love the romanticism of vampires. There is an intense desire and a shadowy sadness to them and that is something I hoped to capture in Immortal Autumn. As far as my favorite movie villain or hero, I’d have to say Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Robert Ford in the Assassination of Jessie James. He played a perfect, yet complex, villain.
KW: Thank you Jamie for your time and great submission. It’s perfect for this time of year, I really enjoyed seeing it! You can all check out more of Jamie’s daily insight on her blog: From Me to You
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Thank y’all so much for sharing our work! It looks wonderful on your site and I’m so glad people can experience Immortal Autumn and a closer look at me behind the lens!
From Me To You,
Jamie