Researched Photographers

Photographer 3: Jamie Nelson

About this photographer

Jamie Nelson is a New York based fashion photographer who has seen his work published in numerous international publications, advertisement campaigns and billboards. He has also taken part in exhibitions in New York museums and Rome too.

Why have I picked this photographer?

I am really interested in Nelson’s work due to the contemporary and unique feel that is seen in all his work. I find his style of work versatile and contain lots of different elements that make it stand out from other photographers. His work contains a lot of feminine flirty fun, something that I would like to bring forward into my own project too, as well as looking at more controversial thoughts on beauty too.

I am really interested in this photo of Nelson’s. I think the slant he has taken and the angle at which to approach makeup and beauty is very controversial. This is something that I would like to look at myself and often beauty photography today only focuses on of the ‘perfect’ and the ‘beautiful’ – here though there is a message that is trying to show the uglier and more pressuring side to beauty. I think the use of the mannequin hands here are really intriguing and the way the model is posing like a mannequin too – the lifeless expression on her face has really helped to accentuate this. Though there is a lot

going on this photo there still remains a focal point as the model is making eye contact with camera and drawing the focus here. The use of harmonious colours here has allowed for all the busy elements in the photo yet helped to make it look more minimalistic. I like how in this particular photo it’s not so much about the makeup you can see on the models face, but more about the message the photo is carrying through what is going on in the image.

This second photo I found has a fun and flirty feel about it. The makeup is minimalistic here and the focus (and inspiration for the look) is seen in all the pastel colours on the sweets. I love the pose and the expression of the model as this has helped to create that flirty feel and added femininity as well. All the colours here are soft and work harmoniously together; this has allowed for no distraction from the models face and allowed for a focal point. I think the subject looks very innocent and cute, and this in turn draws the eye to look at her more. I really like how the texture has been capture in the shot too (mostly with the hair) – this is important as the hair and background are very similar colours and this has helped to subtly play the hair up more without it becoming a distraction on the rest of the photo.

This photo is looking at makeup in a more contemporary and unique way – as opposed to using actual makeup this look has been created using paint. I like the effect all the colours have given against the sterile white background and face – the colours have remained busy and chaotic yet the simplicity in the rest of the photo has balanced this out. The pose and expression is something that really caught my attention in this photo, as well as the angle at which the photo has been taken. The angle of the camera was pointed upward and this has allowed you to see the angles and features of the face differently. As well as this, the angle at which the model has held her face has allowed you to see the features differently. The subject isn’t making eye contact with the camera here but the close cropping of the photo and with the way the paint has been used to avoid the eyes the focal point still remains on the face. In terms of the emotion that this photo is depicting, I think there is a mix of feeling coming through

with the clash of all the colours – this also accentuated with the expression of the model. I really like this shot and think it is something unique and has a fresh modern vibe about it.

This final photo that I found is really bold and makes a statement in many different ways; one being the broken mirror that is reflecting the models face. As the model is looking away from the camera and into the mirror the main focal point lies here as this is where you can see her eyes. The bright orange-red colour here also helps to add emphasis to the eyes and help to bring focus here as the broken mirror can distract from this slightly. I like the way this picture has been photographed as you can see the model from two different angles and this makes the photo more dynamic and interesting to look at. There is a minimal use of colours here and this again has helped the eyes to stand out with the only bright colour being here. I like the cropping of the photo in the way you can only really see the models face – this has worked well as you can see her face clearly in the broken mirror now too.

Influence

Jamie Nelson’s work has really inspired me with my own personal project as I love the refreshing and contemporary feel his work boasts. I love the modern direction that you see in his work in terms of the makeup and how he executes them perfectly with the way he photographs. His directing of models is exquisite as his work always contains different interesting angles and poses that catch the eye’s attention.

Summary

Overall, I have found Nelson’s work to be very inspiring and it has given me stimulus to try shoots similar to his own style. I would love to try something more edgy and controversial with my work as I think that this is something that I have yet to explore in beauty and makeup photography – this

would fun and add more diversity to my final project. I also want to experiment more with angles and working with facial features to play them up and make it visually more unique to look at. Nelson is very good at doing this, as well as directing models with their pose and the cropping of photos – this is something that I am definitely going to start thinking more of about in my own shoots.