graeme mitchell

This is an update to this recent post. It’s possible you’ve already seen these as I also put them up on my portfolio page. Right now I’m waiting for the final edit from the creative director, but during this wait I’ll begin working casually on a few of the images that interested me immediately. I’ll play with different options for final prints, let them sit, digest, rework them, repeat. So by the time I do get the final edit I have a clear direction as to how I plan on interpreting the negative and can get it out to them quickly.

photo: Covet Spring ‘08, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007.

photo: Covet Spring ‘08, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007.

Some snaps Covet’s creative director, Tara took whilst we shot her spring ‘08 line. It was hard not to feel a sadness there at Coney Island; neglect was apparent, and you could see that it’s long life was coming to an end. There was also a mood of bitterness, nostalgia and heartbreak amongst the proprietors, people who’ve lived and worked there their entire lives, and who were now watching the boardwalk fall into disrepair.

On another note: Tara did a great job on this season, some great pieces to photograph!

Location: Coney Island, NY.
Hair: Sarah Potempa w/ Wall Group.
Make-Up: Kehla.
Assistant: Aaron Modico.
And a big big thanks to J.T. at Cha Cha’s on the boardwalk for staging the shoot.

Update to this post here.  So you can see how Polaroids can translate to final prints.

photo: Covet Fall ‘07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

photo: Covet Fall ‘07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

photo: Covet Fall ‘07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

Recently, I was the “NYC fashion photographer” on a French Canadian reality show called “Portfolio, derriere l’image.” Sort of a tamed down version of America’s Next Top Model. It was fun, even though I had a stomach bug and only 30 minutes to shoot each French only speaking model (I don’t speak French)…all in the spirit of good drama I suppose. I’d like to say I felt ridiculous or fantastic or something, but it was another day making pictures within whatever limitations exist.

photo: ©Graeme Mitchell, 2006

photo: ©Graeme Mitchell, 2006

Details: Shot on the water in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Aaron Binaco assisted. Hair and M.U. where by Sarah Potempa and Meredith Baraf, both w/ The Wall Group. All clothing by Tara St. James’ line, Covet.

You have to love 690 Polaroid! The stuff is so old-school and far from accurate (by todays standards) it toes the line of nonsense as a proof, and it’s poetic for that very reason. But why spend $18 for a pack of the poetic? Well, I use it b/c it’s iso 100 (a default), b/c I’m used to it, and b/c it looks like shit compared to the film, which can be a good thing; if you’ve ever shot Fuji’roid you know it can be sexier than many a proof sheets - no doubt making for the occasional anticlimax.

Anyway, these are from the freshly wrapped Covet Fall 07 line. In my opinion this is some of the strongest work yet by Covet’s designer, Tara St. James. I can only imagine what she’s going to be pulling out of her bag of tricks in the seasons to come. About tricks from bags, I should give credit to Mr. Steve Steckly for showing me the tricks of one of the odder technical aspects of this shoot, geeky stuff.

Polaroid: Covet Fall 07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

Polaroid: Covet Fall 07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

Polaroid: Covet Fall 07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

Oh, and I can’t not post this one, which Tara saw, then turned to me and said with stark sincerity, “you’re creepy looking.”

Polaroid: Covet Fall 07, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2007

The team:
Hair: Gregory.
M.U.: Munemi w/ See
Girl Model: Catie Parker w/ Elite NY
Boy Model: Marcus w/ Next NY
First Assist+Lighting Tech: Aaron Binaco
Location/Studio: Northside Bank in Williamsburg

Just dropped the final press files for the Covet Spring ‘07 look book. I usually wouldn’t mention or post a commercial job like this, but the designer, Tara, has become a good friend over the last 3 books we’ve shot together, and I wanted to giver her and her cool line a nod. It’s always a pleasure working with her. She fits right into the team’s vibe: super chill, fun, loves the good food & coffee on set, and understands what it means to do good work.

Photo: Covet Spring 07, Brooklyn NY, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2006

The crew met at call and had a quick morning pow-wow on what we were feeling, and then decided to approach the shoot with a vague “1950s couples” theme. If you’re not depending on a concept, sometimes it’s best to gather the elements with little intentions, and then let the shoot take on a life of its own and just roll with it. Not an uncommon approach with editorial, but it takes a cool commercial client to have that kind of faith.

Photo: Covet Spring 07, Brooklyn NY, ©Graeme Mitchell, 2006

Some candids:

Photo: model, ©Graeme Mitchell

Photo: client, Tara, under the dark cloth + old timer chilling, ©Graeme Mitchell

I’m excited for next Fall’s book. It’s the first time we’re going to the studio. I’ve already shot a test for it, and it’s going to be sexy sexy.