JIM CRONE PHOTOGRAPHY - Hair and Beauty photography.

<body text="black"> <font size="3" color="black"><b>Jim Crone specialises in Hair & Beauty photography.</b></font> <p><font size="3" color="black">Jim Crone is well known and respected for his work in Hair & Beauty photography and is one of a group of photographers in the UK recommended by the Hairdressers Journal.</font></p> <div align="left"> <div align="left"> <p><font size="3" color="black">Jim specialises in travelling to salons and studios throughout the UK and abroad. Images from these shoots appear regularly in leading Hairstyle publications.</font></p> <div align="left"> <p><font size="3" color="black">The Portfolio section of the website contains many images from Hairstyle shoots, some of which have been winners in the British Hairdressing Awards competition. Other work displayed has been produced for clients such as Wella, Schwarzkopf, L'Oreal and many leading hair salons.</font></p> <div align="left"> <p><span class="text"><font size="3" color="black">Jim regularly provides publications and companies with advice regarding setting up shoots and choosing models.</font></span></p> <p><font color="black">Jim works closely with salons all over the UK producing images for hairstyle magazines and national hairdressing competitions. Each year many clients become finalists in competitions such as the British Hairdressing Awards, L'Oreal Colour Trophy and Wella Trend Vision. Many clients have become winners including several British Hairdressing Hall of Fame members who have shot one or more winning collections with Jim.</font></p> <div align="left"> <p><font color="black"><b>General guidelines for hairstyle photography.</b></font></p> <p><font color="black">With over 25 years of hairstyle photography experience, Jim has plenty of advice for clients embarking on their first hair shoot.</font></p> <p><font color="black">It all starts with developing a concept for the shoot. The concept will then determine the style of clothes, make-up and the direction in which the photography should go. Magazines will want to see a theme running through the images so that they work well together if printed as a collection over several pages.</font></p> <p><font color="black"><b>Models</b><br> I cannot over-emphasise the importance of choosing the right models for the shoot. Skilful photography will not overcome problems with a weak model with poor makeup and the wrong choice of clothes. This is particularly important in competitions such as the British Hairdressing Awards were standards are very high.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Professional models are a must for high-end shoots but if non-professional models are being used then the following must be considered.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Tall and thin is best since the camera will add about 20 lbs (yes, that much). And remember skin and complexion should be excellent, there is only so much a good make-up artist can hide. Thin lips don't photograph as well as full lips. A mouth that turns down should also be avoided. A petite nose will photograph better than a broad bulbous nose. Eyes must be bright and expressive. Facial proportions should be symmetrical and in keeping with the 'rule of thirds' i.e.; from the top of the head to the chin, eyes should be a third of the way down and the gap between nose and mouth two-thirds of the way down. If possible take some digital "snaps" of the models your about to use and send them to the photographer to provide feedback.</font></p> <p><font color="black"><b>Clothes styling</b><br> The Clothes Stylist can make or break the shoot, inexperience can lead to disaster. Great images are easier to get from unusual clothes or items of strange material used in place of clothes. Bare shoulders should be avoided on models that do not have square well defined shoulders like a super-model. Fitted looks are <b>always</b> better than "baggy".</font></p> <p><font color="black">Even professional models can have blotchy skin on arms and legs, it is best to cover up as much as possible. Remember that a model appearing in Vogue over a five or six page shoot has been picked because she has an amazing look that suits all of the clothes chosen for her. However, a hairstyle shoot is likely to have four or more models, therefore the clothes stylist should have a variety of fantastic clothes that can cater for the different looks and shapes of the models.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Jewellery is a tricky one. You will see looking through hairstyle magazines that very few of the models are wearing jewellery. Jewellery should only be used if it is required to achieve a desired effect for a particular concept and in such cases large costume jewellery is best.</font></p> <p><font color="black"><b>Make-up</b><br> Imaginative and striking make-up which suits the feel and theme of a shoot can produce excellent results but an attempt by an inexperienced make-up artist to produce avant garde looks can be disastrous. The safest option for an inexperienced make-up artist is to make the model look attractive without trying anything too adventurous. Foundation may need to be heavy (but not dark) to cover up all blemishes. Lipstick must be absolutely perfectly applied. Use of shimmer or glitter type products only sparkle when the model is moving, but a photograph is a still image and therefore most of these products do not photograph with the desired effect. Blusher can sometimes make a model look as if she has a rash or inflamed cheeks, it is best to avoid blusher until the photographer has decided on lighting.</font></p> <p><font color="black"><b>Hair styling</b><br> Jim cannot tell you how to style hair but years of experience in hairstyle photography has taught Jim what gets published and what doesn't.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Context is important, do not create a hairstyle on a model if she simply does not suit it in conjunction with the clothes and make-up. Remember the following; "would this type of person choose to wear these clothes with this makeup and this hairstyle if they where at a real wine bar or night club or special event".</font></p> <p><font color="black">It is important not to over work the hair to the point where the model becomes tired and wishes she could escape. Non-professional and even some professional models can perform badly for the camera if they feel the process has been a bit of a struggle or if the end result diminishes their sense of attractiveness.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Hair spray can be the enemy, some experienced photo session hairstylists use oil or wax based products to eliminate stray hairs that stick out, sometimes they will use scissors to snip off the odd hair sticking out instead of spraying more and more and more dammed hair spray. Experiment with products in the salon to see which will help with the problem of unwanted hairs sticking out.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Carefully assess the models facial features especially when a hairstyle is designed to be photographed "side-on", you must remember that although models may look fabulous front-on only a few of them will have a fantastic profile and even this will be one side or the other, rarely both. Most models have a natural pose direction and can sometimes look awkward when asked to turn there head too far in the opposite direction.</font></p> <p><font color="black">On average you should try to achieve two or even three looks per model. Most hairstylists with photo shoot experience work fast and can dress hair for an alternative look in only 5 or 10 minutes. These stylists can sometimes get up to 3 or 4 very different looks from each model. Wigs and hair extensions are used during many shoots to get looks which completely change a model from say a blonde into a fantastic looking redhead, or a brunette into a blonde etc. There are a number of examples of this in the portfolio section of this website, see if you can spot them!</font></p> <p><font color="black"><b>Photography</b><br> Before the shoot Jim will discuss the concept with you and make a decision about lighting and backgrounds.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Shoots can take place in a hired photographic studio or in your salon if there is a clear area of at least 20 feet by 12 feet. The advantage of the latter means you will have everything that you need within easy reach. Jim will bring studio lighting and backgrounds with him. Almost half of the hairstyle images in the portfolio section of this website have been shot in salons.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Great results can also be achieved from location shoots in venues such as night clubs or buildings with unusual architecture or fascinating interior design. Even outdoor shoots can work under the right circumstances.</font></p> <p><font color="black">Do not book all of your models to arrive at the same time, for example, it is best to have two in at 9am for a half day and two arriving at 1.30 for the remainder of the day.</font></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="88"> <tr> <td valign="bottom"> <div align="right"> <table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="172"> <tr> <td> <center> <a href="pages/portfolio/album/port.html" target="middlefrm"><b>HOMEPAGE</b></a></center> </td> <td nowrap><a href="pages/about/about.html" target="slide"><b>ABOUT</b></a></td> <td> <center> <a href="mailto:jcphoto@jimcronephotography.com"><b>CONTACT</b></a></center> </td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </body>