This week on the Prodibi Pixel Magazine, let's meet with a photography graduate from the London college of fashion: Katt Webster.
With a strong history of working in the media production industry, Katt uses boldly colorful work for her fashion photographs.
Let's discover her excellent fashion photos all powered by Prodibi!
A few words about you, how did you start photography?
I started out when I was a teenager, maybe 15 or 16 years old with only a tiny point and shoot to hand. At the time I was living in a small quiet village in Oxford, so it was hardly bustling with agency level models, stylists or MUAs! I had to work with what I had, so it became a group effort of myself and my friends at the time working together with some very DIY, hands-on photo shoots in the sticks with no budget to speak of.
I went through the processes of not only being the photographer but a stylist, MUA, producer, creative director and more - all of the roles behind a fashion shoot rolled into one. It was exhausting but also exhilarating at the same time. Having this kind of beginning in photography really showed me exactly what it was that I wanted to pursue in fashion, and the rest is history!
Can you briefly explain your creative process for a great fashion shot?
What I’ve found to be important in the process of creating a great fashion shot is having the right team behind you to help it form. When you have the space to think about the shot, the entire craft of it, it comes together with such ease. This could be having someone to assist you and give you an extra eye with the lighting, having the right MUA on board who takes note of every single change or is hands-on with their adjustments as the shoot goes on. Having the right eco-system on set really helps with putting together the right shot!
As for actually getting down to creating the shot, I mostly aim to shoot with available light and flit between shooting on 35mm and digital. I also try and have a good conversation with the model while testing the light, and try and have visual references on set. Whatever fits best!
Any advice for beginners who want to start fashion photography?
Immerse yourself in the industry, and become aware of who’s who in the industry, and what is currently being shot and published. Take note of recent editorials in a wide range of magazines, not only the major publications but smaller, independent publications too. Go to a wide variety of exhibitions, watch films, and really become aware of what you like and don’t like. Train your eye and educate yourself!
Are you inspired by the work of other photographers, directors, or artists?
I find you realise that you start constructing shots when you see things in the real world that evoke inspiration, which I can find from just about anywhere. Looking at the available light, little side streets, someone who walks past you. From there, I start thinking about work I’ve seen and admired that influences me, particularly photographers such as William Eggleston, Alex Prager, Lee Miller, Harley Weir, Jamie Hawkesworth, Viviane Sassen and Horst P. Horst.
I also take a lot of inspiration from cinema, in particular, David Lynch and Wong Kar-wai. If you find yourself coming up with ideas on the go, I’d recommend carrying a notebook with you to jot it down, so it becomes more tangible in your head for a future project.
Is there someone in the world you dream to photograph?
Overall I would say there’s a type of face I love to shoot, not necessarily a single person — a model with a certain look that I find interesting and engaging. That can range from people like musicians like Jorja Smith, or models like Tia Jonsson.
Is there a particular goal you wish to reach?
I’d eventually aim to open up my own open studio in London to work in and help other young female photographers develop their work. I’d also like to have more of my work published across major and independent publications alike and have the opportunity to work with brands that I admire, in particular, female-led and sustainable brands. I’d also eventually like to start my own publication - so quite a few!
Read on: An early passion for fashion and portrait photography, a story from Brazil with Marcos Calomeno and Fashion & Lifestyle Photographer Josh Thomas focuses on colorful and striking visual experiences
About your photography gear, what are your favourite tools?
I shoot with a fairly bare-bones kit, a Canon DSLR with a small selection of lenses, in particular with the versatile, fixed 50mm 1.8 lens. I also shoot on the side with an old Olympus 35mm, recently with some slightly risky out of date film for experimentation. Further down the line, working with larger budgets and such, I’d love to venture back into shooting more film, particularly medium format.
Do you have projects for the future like workshops, or a personal series?
At the moment there’s I don’t have a particular project in the pipeline, I’m focusing a lot of my energy on working with more young designers and new brands. I’d like to shoot more portraiture in the next year or so, so am always on the eye out for new and interesting faces!
To see more from Katt:
All photographs copyright Katt Webster and used with her permission.
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