Interview with Jess De Mattos
Photo. Supplied
Livi Parish speaks to up-and-coming fashion photographer, Jess De Mattos, and finds out what makes her ‘click‘.
Entering her second year reading Photography for Fashion and Advertising at the University of Newport, Wales, Jess De Mattos educates The Tribe Online on what is required to produce the inspiring images you see in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Wearing an I love NY t-shirt (from New York, ‘so it’s the real thing!’) teamed with jeans and a black cardigan, Jess tells us that, like today, she prefers to be in something comfortable as she’s always moving on a shoot so she needs to be wearing something that will allow her to do so.
LP: Has photography always been a passion of yours?
J: I’ve been interested in cameras for as long as I can remember, but I started taking photographs (and knowing what I was doing…) at the age of 9, so about 11 years! My grandfather, uncle and a close family friend are all photographers, and I guess I just got curious about photography.
LP: Where did your love/ appreciation of fashion come from?
J: I suppose it was the huge range of already existing, amazing photographs; I wanted to find out how they were done…I’m still working on that!
I used to be really into the fashion design side of the industry, and I was convinced I was going to be a fashion designer right up until my foundation year at London College of Fashion (2007). It was there that I realised that what I saw in my head was not the design work, but rather the finished photograph instead! It all really sparked off from my love of designing!
Entering her second year reading Photography for Fashion and Advertising at the University of Newport, Wales, Jess De Mattos educates The Tribe Online on what is required to produce the inspiring images you see in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Wearing an I love NY t-shirt (from New York, ‘so it’s the real thing!’) teamed with jeans and a black cardigan, Jess tells us that, like today, she prefers to be in something comfortable as she’s always moving on a shoot so she needs to be wearing something that will allow her to do so.
LP: Has photography always been a passion of yours?
J: I’ve been interested in cameras for as long as I can remember, but I started taking photographs (and knowing what I was doing…) at the age of 9, so about 11 years! My grandfather, uncle and a close family friend are all photographers, and I guess I just got curious about photography.
LP: Where did your love/ appreciation of fashion come from?
J: I suppose it was the huge range of already existing, amazing photographs; I wanted to find out how they were done…I’m still working on that!
I used to be really into the fashion design side of the industry, and I was convinced I was going to be a fashion designer right up until my foundation year at London College of Fashion (2007). It was there that I realised that what I saw in my head was not the design work, but rather the finished photograph instead! It all really sparked off from my love of designing!
Photo. Supplied
LP: Do you have a favourite designer?
J: I tend to find that there are pieces from each different designer’s collections that I really like, and some that I don’t. I wouldn’t say I had an absolute favourite. I do however, love the latest Chanel advert campaign, but that’s probably more me liking the photography!
LP: Is there a particular image which has inspired your photography?
J: For me, it’s less of an individual photograph and more of an artist’s work. For example, anything by Tim Walker inspires me no end! If I am inspired by a particular artist or image, I always try to put my own style on it. Quite often though, it’s just browsing artwork, photography, or anything with imagery in it. But anything really can inspire me, it’s cliché to say “everything” but it is true!
LP: Do you find there’s much difference between photographing men and photographing women?
J: I do, actually! When shooting women, everything has to be absolutely perfect, down to their toenails, whereas men can get away with a more unpolished, rugged look, obviously depending on the shoot concept. In my opinion, women tend to put themselves in more painful poses than men too!
LP: What is the main objective of your images?
J: It sounds so cheesy, but I want people to be inspired by my photographs. It would mean a lot to me if someone decided to take up photography because of my work!
LP: Is there anything you think most people don’t realise about photography? Complexities?
J: Oh, so much! A lot of people see photography as “just pressing a button”, but it is so much more than that. It’s the whole process from drafting a concept to marketing yourself to creating the final prints, and much, much more.
J: I tend to find that there are pieces from each different designer’s collections that I really like, and some that I don’t. I wouldn’t say I had an absolute favourite. I do however, love the latest Chanel advert campaign, but that’s probably more me liking the photography!
LP: Is there a particular image which has inspired your photography?
J: For me, it’s less of an individual photograph and more of an artist’s work. For example, anything by Tim Walker inspires me no end! If I am inspired by a particular artist or image, I always try to put my own style on it. Quite often though, it’s just browsing artwork, photography, or anything with imagery in it. But anything really can inspire me, it’s cliché to say “everything” but it is true!
LP: Do you find there’s much difference between photographing men and photographing women?
J: I do, actually! When shooting women, everything has to be absolutely perfect, down to their toenails, whereas men can get away with a more unpolished, rugged look, obviously depending on the shoot concept. In my opinion, women tend to put themselves in more painful poses than men too!
LP: What is the main objective of your images?
J: It sounds so cheesy, but I want people to be inspired by my photographs. It would mean a lot to me if someone decided to take up photography because of my work!
LP: Is there anything you think most people don’t realise about photography? Complexities?
J: Oh, so much! A lot of people see photography as “just pressing a button”, but it is so much more than that. It’s the whole process from drafting a concept to marketing yourself to creating the final prints, and much, much more.
Photo. supplied
LP: How do you go about creating your shoot setup?
J: Often I stumble on a place by chance and get inspired by it…I love places with old broken down stuff, loads of different “scenes” and also old houses are great as well!
Casting models is one of the most difficult and important parts of a shoot as they have to fit the concept perfectly, and they can make or break a shoot. I would start off by searching through my contacts to see if there’s anyone suitable, if not, then I would hold a casting to see who is interested!
LP: Do you style your own models?
Sometimes, it depends if I can get hold of a wardrobe stylist for the shoot! For any big profile shoot though, definitely I would hire a stylist.
LP: What are the essential elements requiring consideration in the production of a good fashion photo?
Lighting
Lighting
Composition
Retouching
And did I mention Lighting?
Seriously though, there are a ridiculous number of elements that make a good photograph, particularly in fashion photography!
LP: What are your thoughts on the statement: ‘the camera never lies’?
Lighting lies, make up lies, clothing lies, retouching most definitely lies, everything lies, but the camera never lies!
J: Often I stumble on a place by chance and get inspired by it…I love places with old broken down stuff, loads of different “scenes” and also old houses are great as well!
Casting models is one of the most difficult and important parts of a shoot as they have to fit the concept perfectly, and they can make or break a shoot. I would start off by searching through my contacts to see if there’s anyone suitable, if not, then I would hold a casting to see who is interested!
LP: Do you style your own models?
Sometimes, it depends if I can get hold of a wardrobe stylist for the shoot! For any big profile shoot though, definitely I would hire a stylist.
LP: What are the essential elements requiring consideration in the production of a good fashion photo?
Lighting
Lighting
Composition
Retouching
And did I mention Lighting?
Seriously though, there are a ridiculous number of elements that make a good photograph, particularly in fashion photography!
LP: What are your thoughts on the statement: ‘the camera never lies’?
Lighting lies, make up lies, clothing lies, retouching most definitely lies, everything lies, but the camera never lies!
Photo Supplied
LP: If you could do your ideal shoot anywhere in the world, what would it be and where?
Ooh, difficult question! I’d love to shoot on a massive fantasy set, with huge oversized props and amazing costumes…Something Tim Walker-esque! I’d also love to photograph Daria Werbowy and Natalia Vodianova, I think they have amazing faces. Also Lily Cole, because she looks so individual! I love some of the darker gothic styles of clothing that designers are advertising at the moment, so something with that perhaps!
LP: Any big plans for the near future?
It’s hard to say at the moment with the new term about to start, but I’ve just done a shoot at a big London department store and a well- known London Hair Salon, for which the exact details at this moment are classified….so watch this space!
You can view Jess’ portfolio online: http://www.jessicademattos.com
Or see view her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Tonbridge-United-Kingdom/Jessica-de-Mattos-Photography/40559897197
Ooh, difficult question! I’d love to shoot on a massive fantasy set, with huge oversized props and amazing costumes…Something Tim Walker-esque! I’d also love to photograph Daria Werbowy and Natalia Vodianova, I think they have amazing faces. Also Lily Cole, because she looks so individual! I love some of the darker gothic styles of clothing that designers are advertising at the moment, so something with that perhaps!
LP: Any big plans for the near future?
It’s hard to say at the moment with the new term about to start, but I’ve just done a shoot at a big London department store and a well- known London Hair Salon, for which the exact details at this moment are classified….so watch this space!
You can view Jess’ portfolio online: http://www.jessicademattos.com
Or see view her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Tonbridge-United-Kingdom/Jessica-de-Mattos-Photography/40559897197
Photo Supplied