[ Q&A SEDGE ]

-Where do you generally source inspiration? eg what blogs, mags etc.
I sourced most of my images from fashiongonerogue, knightcat, fashionising, fashiongrunge or studdedhearts. They are the main blogs/websites that i use. I love watching NME for clothing inspiration- the alternative-indie/electro have the best dress sense so i look at people like Andrew Vanwyngarden from MGMT... and tone it down ha. Magazine wise Pop, Dazed, I-D, Muse, Citizen, Man about Town. The list really is endless.

- Does inspiration come to you or do you have to go looking for it?
I would say both... I find inspiration pretty much everywhere. Most the time when you least expect it. I don't ever find myself being like 'I have a shoot themed around rock tomorrow lets see what I can find.' It is already there... I have seen bits and I just put it together, then walking around town I see so many different things. Half the time I don't even register that I have seen something that I like. I just work on it with the next project. But it can be anything from people, to words, to clothes, to shops, posters. Everything.

-How do you document your inspiration?
My blog. Everything I do see and I do like gets blogged. I have days when I do 8-9 posts and I have to sit down and go back through it all and work out if I have a trend or a theme. Thats how I work out whats on trend and what works best for my personality.

- What happens next? How do you start organising a shoot?
At the moment the shoots I am doing I usually choose the models, the photographer, the location. The whole package pretty much. With the Summer shoot it was different. 2 of the models were mine and two were the photographers. But I choose the theme... think who best would replicate that then think who would be able to capture the mood and the theme best then source a location. The whole time I am planning the outfits.

-Approximately how long does the whole process take, from inspiration to final outcome?
It depends... the summer shoot I had 2 weeks of being told the theme, seeing the models, sourcing garments and accessories. Sometimes someone can call me up two days in advance and it will be more spontanious. Some shoots just swap and change around so you think you have nailed it then you find something else. I never just sit on an idea I am always looking for ways to improve it. Sometimes I make huge changes the day or night before. I have gone off track but yeah it ranges from months to weeks to days dependant upon the project.

- Are you very specific on what you want out of the shoot or do you sometimes improvise a bit too?
Improvise. I think I know what I want, who I want it in and then it gets to the day and you are constantly adding, taking away and swapping things around. I could never be like this is yours and not look at it again. It never works that way.

- Have you ever had any photoshoot nightmares?
My first shoot actually. I had an amazing model to represent Coco Tangs, 'Dirty Cinderella' cocktail of their fairy tales and wonderlands menu and literally an hour before the hair was being done the model pulled out. She was beyond perfect for the roll with her tattoos and stuff. I pulled in as we couldn't reschedule with dates for press etc. It turned out fine though but that initial panic was not nice.

- What generally goes on on shoot day? (on set and off) Do you have any kind of rituals?
You arrive... hair and make up is done, first outfits go on and then you start snapping... dependant upon whether you are on location or in a studio you try different scenes etc. Hair, make up and clothes get changed 3/4 times- again dependant upon the theme and location. Then the model usually demands food or a drink as you get so caught in the day and what you are doing you just forget. It can last from like 3-4 hours to an entire day... or sometimes even two if you just can't get the picture you want. Its always fun though. I have never left a shoot and been glad its over. They keep getting better and better too which is always nice.