These composite images, where feather meets beauty and fashion, are constructed using the art of photographic capture, photographing models and birdlife in separate instances and in separate locations.
Then digitally manipulating the imagery in postproduction, to create a new single piece of artwork, a combination of both bird and beauty, each perfectly complementing the other.
It has always interested me, the way that the fashion industry has long associated a feminine quality to both fur and feathers, especially when more often than not; it is the plumage from the male of the species that is chosen to be worn.
Here with the help of modern digital postproduction techniques, I have been able to explore this connection further and unlike 19th century aristocracy who chose to wear whole stuffed birds as hats at the height of the "plume boom" era, I’ve been able to produce this artwork without any birdlife being manhandled or harmed in the process.
All of the garments, as well as hair styles featured have been created solely using manipulated imagery taken of various birdlife and at no point during the process of this project did any of the models see, wear or come into contact with any of the feathers or birdlife featured in this series of prints.
Caroline Stewart
Jenni Muir
Karen Bowen
Molly Jane Sheridan
Rosie Fraser
Sammy Foster
Our Models:
Amy Chong - Colours Model Management
Charlie Banks - Colours Model Management
Christine Stephanie Dunnett - Model Team
Gemma Warnock
Kaitlin Dobson - Colours Model Management
Lynn Mathieson
Megan Johannessen - Colours Model Management
Monika Wiktorowicz
Namate Sililo
Nikki Fox Weston
Olivia Taylor - Colours Model Management
Shana Gilham - Colours Model Management
Suki Kaur Sunner
With special thanks:
Photographers Assistant - Emidio J Battipaglia
Production - Youth Juice Creative Productions.
Fashionscape Europe 2014
Essential Edinburgh
Norwegian Consulate General
Colours Model Management
MEOW Studios, Edinburgh
RETINA – Scottish International Photography Festival
The Creative Exchange
Edinburgh College
Harvey Nichols
BIPP – British Institute of Professional Photographers
Adobe - Adobe Creative Cloud
Bēhance
Bowens Industry Lighting Company
Wacom
Saatchi Art
Totally thrilled to share this with you all.
Front Cover and 10 page featured photographer in China’s biggest photographic magazine - 'The Photographers Companion’.
The issue went out last month and has already resulted in many new followers.
Huge thanks to the amazing team over at Photographers Companion HQ for their infectious enthusiasm and passion in wanting to share my work with their readers, really great job guys, thank you so much.
Also thanks once again to all those involved in bringing Beauté Aviaire to life, where art meets beauty, feathers and fashion.