Behind the Scenes
Recently, I was selected to participate in SCAD’s latest photo alumni creative challenge inspired by SCAD FASH’s exhibition, Robert Fairer Backstage Pass: Dior, Galliano, Jacobs, and McQueen.
Pre-covid days, I was invited to Robert Fairer’s book launch here in London and had an opportunity to hear him speak about the motivation behind his work.
The theme of this challenge was to create work that highlights a behind-the-scenes moment. Robert Fairer’s photography gives the viewer access to a restricted space–the backstage area of high-profile fashion shows. By showing models, hairdressers, make-up artists, and designers in preparation for the runway show, Fairer, who defines himself as a documentary photographer, sheds light on the fashion industry. His work captures intimate, beautiful interactions through deliberate framing and dramatic lighting.
THE CHALLENGE
To create a single photograph illuminate a usually unseen event or situation. Like Fairer’s work, my image should transport the viewer and offer a new way of seeing or understanding a behind-the-scenes moment. This “moment” could be anything: backstage at the opera, the prep kitchen of a restaurant, the locker room of a sports event, a factory where clothing is produced, or the studio of an artist, to cite a few examples. The work does not need to reference fashion; it should take inspiration from Fairer’s style and approach to photography.
Itinally I wasn’t going to attempt the challenge. The idea seemed outside of my wheelhouse. I never shoot with a flash and I didn’t have time to come up with a new project.
But then, I gave it some thought. Maybe this would be a creative challenge I needed to push myself. I’ve included the proposal I submitted to SCAD.
MY PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL
For this challenge, the single image I intend to create is a behind-the-scenes shot of my soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter Fefe. I would place her sitting at her vanity, applying makeup, preparing to go on location for a photoshoot. To the left of her vanity is a twin bed up against the wall. To the right, a small ground floor window and a reading nook with pillows and stuffed animals tossed about. I envision an overly large gown, maybe made of tulle, cascading behind her. Hair down. Her back is mostly towards me, maybe she turns around and I catch her in the act as she turns to me or I capture her reflection in the mirror as she’s in the midst of applying her makeup.
Her bedroom is filled with her childhood stuffed animals and wallpapered with posters of Lord of the Rings, fantasy characters with tulle curtains hanging from the 17th-century beams, and fairy light strung about. If I am able to create this image, I would embellish her room with more posters on the wall, various colored textiles, bring out more of her stuffed animals. Brighten her vanity with more artificial light. Though I mostly work with natural light, I would use flash in this image for the final image
INSPIRATION
The intent of this image is to capture the tension between childhood and womanhood. I had the thought for this image when I came into her room while she was getting ready to go out for the day. Watching her carefully apply makeup while taking in her stuffed animals, I was struck by the reality of this limbo she lives in.
For the last five years, we have worked on a series of images together called Reclaiming Beauty. The behind-the-scenes would capture the moment before we go travel for a shoot. People are familiar with the world I create with my daughter as idyllic and fantastical images, set in the romantic English countryside.
No one sees the moments that happen as we prepare for these shoots. Yet I believe this image would be relatable to many viewers. As a mother to four children, Fefe is my youngest. Lately, I’ve been keenly aware of how fast time goes. One minute you’re teaching them to tie shoes and in a flash... they’re young adults. This image would capture that moment.
A week later, I received an email stating that my proposal was accepted and I made it to the next round.
FINAL IMAGE
THE RESULTS
After some time passed, I assumed I’d not won. But then out of the blue, the president of SCAD, went me this email saying Congratulations!
Thank you for participating in the SCAD Alumni Challenge inspired by the Robert Fairer Backstage Pass exhibition. You certainly rose to the challenge and created a brilliant behind-the-scenes photograph.
Robert viewed your work, and I am delighted to share his comments with you:
“Kyle's image of her daughter is very poignant. I feel that I am getting a glimpse into an inner and very private world. The volume of the dress taking up most of the frame, the colours matching the tones of the decorations and teddy bear. Makeup already done and just the lipstick left to apply - a captured moment as she turns to look over her shoulder. The choice of lens makes me feel as if I am falling into the image (a good thing!) and the softness of the light coincides perfectly with the subject and accentuates the billowing clouds of the crinoline dress. If this were my image, I would be interested to try selectively brightening the skin tones and areas of the dress and subduing the background a little to shift the emphasis onto Fefe as I find myself torn between her and the background at the moment. However, the more I look at it the more I am intrigued…again, a beautiful image and one to be proud of.”
I was thrilled to receive the feedback and grateful to have had the both the challenge and opportunity to create this image with my daughter.
