Model Behavior

Words by Zoe Bateman, our shop girl. Last week we showed you some sneaky peeks from behind the scenes of our Spring/Summer 2010 photo shoot. And, being the nosy bunch that we are, we couldn't help but grab a few minutes with some of the awesome people who worked so hard behind the scenes (and in front of them too) to find out more about the role they played, and how they got to where they are today. Of course there would be little point in having a photo shoot without a photographer there to capture the magic. Meet Edith Bergfors, the lovely lady behind the camera. Name: Edith Bergfors Age: 23 Home: Born in Porvoo, Finland, but I now I live in Hackney Wick in London. Likes: The forest, deer, BBC iPlayer, those candy snakes you get from the corner shop, and my bicycle. Dislikes: Sickness, slow people, leaky pens, when people cough on crowded tubes, and Nick Barr. How did you get into photography? I first started getting into photography when I took after school classes in high school. What course did you do? I didn'€™t do photography or art at A Levels. Instead I took English, Biology, and Social Anthropology. Afterwards I did a foundation in Art and Design, and then from there I went on to do a degree in Photography. What equipment do you use? Whatever I can get really, but mainly Phase and Hasselblad, but sometimes Canon too. What would be your number one tip for taking better photos? Take more photos, the only way to get better at something is to practice all the time. What's the best part of being a photographer? Meeting a bunch of people. What'€™s the worst part of being a photographer? When models cancel! What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into photography? Don't! Getting our models, both boys and girls, looking picture perfect on the day is our awesome make up artist and hair stylist Scarlet Ellis.  Name: Scarlet Ellis Age: 23 Home: East London Likes: Tea, dogs (she has two puppies called Dexter and Ronnie), watching trashy TV, lions, and pic n™ mix. Dislikes: Cold weather, bad make up on other people, public transport, ready salted crisps, and rude people. How did you get into make up? When I finished my A Levels at college I didn'€™t really know what to do next. It was my Mum who suggested I do a part time course, and I'€™d always liked doing my friends'€™ make up, so I decided to enroll. What course did you do? I did a HND (Higher National Diploma) in specialists make up at West Thames College in Isleworth. So are you a full-time make up artist? I work 4 days a week in a photographic studio doing make up there, which is really good practice. I do extra works like this shoot on my days off. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into make up? Be prepared to work for free, at least at first. Do as much testing as you can to build up your portfolio. It's also a really good idea to assist other make up artists whenever possible as although you learn a lot from a course, it'€™s not the same as actually getting out there and doing it. What'€™s the best part of being a make up artist? Seeing the finished product that you have played a part in creating. What'€™s the worst part of being a make up artist? The hours are really unsociable. I work at the weekends a lot. What is your number one beauty tip? Always take your make up off at night. I know everyone says it, but it'€™s true. (This then led into a lengthy discussion about how in her book Paris Hilton says she never takes her make up off at night. Not that we own Paris Hilton'€™s book or anything.) Striking a pose in front of the camera for the day were our lovely models. We caught up Naomi Shimada from Nevs to find out more about the wonderful world of modeling. Name: Naomi Age: 22 Home: Tokyo, but living in Islington Likes: Cupcakes, love, J-Dillah, Minnie Mouse, and pink low rider bikes. Dislikes: Flakiness, canned tuna, horror movies, Ryanair, and the smell of wet dogs. Are you studying at the moment? I'€™m modeling and working as a TV presenter at the moment. How did you get into modelling? I started aged 6 modeling for a Japanese brand called Ships which is owned by my Dad'€™s best friend. Then I was scouted again when I was 13 and signed to Elite. What other shoots or campaigns have you been involved in? I did the first ever Body Shop campaign. They made life-sized cardboard cut outs of me which was weird! I'€™ve also done a few TV commercials. What are the best parts of being a model? The people you meet, though that can also be one of the worst things! I'€™ve met some of the best people whilst modeling, but also some of the worst. I love that every day is different, and that I get to travel lots. What are the worst parts of being a model? Everybody looks hungry all the time! I love my food though. (a girl after our own hearts) What advice would you give to anyone interested in becoming a model? Just be yourself, it'€™s the only way to really stand out. Don'€™t conform under pressure. Also you have to be able to deal with rejection. It'€™s nothing personal, that'€™s just the way it is. Remember what one person hates another person loves. x