Olivia (16) and Eleanor (15) are aspiring photographers that got to spend the day with photo duo Tiger Tiger and shoot their dream editorial.
Olivia Robinson
HMU by Sara Denman
BL: How long have you been taking photos?
Olivia: I have been taking pictures since sixth grade on an iPod touch, but in eighth grade with a DSLR. (I’m a high school senior now)
BL: What made you become interested in photography?
Olivia: Girls on Instagram made me interested in photography! I thought of them as untouchable artists and now I look at the same accounts and realize a lot of them were not even photographers and just posted cool iPhone shots.
BL: How was it getting mentored by Tiger Tiger?
Olivia: Being mentored by Tiger Tiger was so great! I learned so much from them and they were so kind and patient and helpful.
BL: Can you tell us about the day? What happened?
Olivia: When I first showed up at the apartment I was super nervous and shy, kind of intimidated from driving to Silver Lake for the first time and being able to see all the buildings in LA from where I parked. I was so quiet and awkward for a while but the girls from Tiger Tiger made me feel so comfortable and prepared for the shoot. We went to Elysian Park and when we scouted the area real quick before the shoot, I realized how little area is necessary for a photoshoot. We stayed within a very small area and still got a lot of diversity within the setting. We shot when all the wildfires were happening, which gave our lighting an orange tint. By the end of the day I was sweaty and covered in dirt (from literally falling down a dirt hill) and felt super accomplished.
BL: What were some unexpected challenges?
Olivia: You know when you are being photographed and don’t know what to do with your arms? Photographing actual models felt like 90% telling people what to do with their arms, which is the hardest task I have probably ever done. Luckily the Tiger Tiger girls printed out all of the pose inspiration pictures so I always had them to refer to.
BL: Did you guys have fun?!
Olivia: I had so much fun!!!!! The models were so funny and willing to try out random stuff and show off their creativity. Everyone was so fun to be around and made for a great experience.
Eleanor Nicklin
BL: How long have you been taking photos?
Eleanor: A digital camera was gifted to me when I was around 9-years-old, and my interest developed from there. When I was younger I would take mostly pictures of things like dew on leaves, and bugs if I could find them. Eventually, about two years ago I found a deal on a Canon Rebel and got a real camera. It collected dust for about a year before I decided to try and take it with me when I hung out with friends. That was about a year ago, and I’ve been bringing that camera everywhere ever since.
BL: What made you become interested in photography?
Eleanor: My interest in photography didn’t start at a certain point but growing up I was always fascinated by the wildlife photography I saw in my monthly National Geographic magazines. That interest in professional photography as well as my general creative personality inspired me to become a photographer. Lately I’ve been finding inspiration through artists on Instagram, like Ruby James (@rubyjamesphoto) and Maris Jones (@themarisjones). My evolving love for current fashion also inspires my shoots.
BL: How was it getting mentored by Tiger Tiger?
Eleanor: Being mentored by Tiger Tiger was a unique experience. I had never really been coached in my shoots before, nor was I familiar with a professional environment when it comes to photography. It’s always just my friends and me, which is what I’m most comfortable with. I think their guidance was beneficial in the long run because I learned a few tricks while still falling back on what I know best. For example, they had a lot of actual lense filters I could choose from, but I also still used my “plastic bag over the lense for a hazy effect” trick. I learned that a balance of familiarity and experimentation is key.
BL: Can you tell us about the day? What happened?
Eleanor: The day started with a meet-up in a house in L.A. Well, no, actually it started with an hour and a half drive through the wonderful traffic of that area. Once I arrived at the apartment we were preparing everything in, we began to discuss daily plans. The models were also getting their hair and makeup done and trying on the vintage slips we had planned to use. After about two hours of deliberation and preparation, we left for the shooting location. There, we picked a couple places within the park to set up and shoot solo and group photos. Olivia and I split up, and took photos how we wanted to, taking turns with the gorgeous models. I also asked the makeup artist, Sara Denman (@saradenman on Instagram) if she could put chamomile flowers across Sofia’s (one of the models) cheeks. We weren’t sure if it would work, but the flowers stayed and resulted in some of my favorite solo shots of Sofia. We also decorated Tatiana’s hair with the flowers I brought, as well as Sue-An’s chest for a floral necklace effect. These subtle additions to the models’ looks made the photos magical. We finished off with group photos and that was about it. I got home at around 9pm, making it an eight hour day for me.
BL: What were some unexpected challenges?
Eleanor: There were a few aspects of the day that were challenging, like the heat and the terrain of the park. When I heard park, I thought of the ones in my neighborhood with trimmed grass and a playground. This was more like a forest-park hybrid, with plenty of sharp sticks to trip over and bugs. I was wearing flip flops, but that had never stopped me before. I love the way the park ended up adding a natural vibe to the photos, and for the most part it wasn’t an issue. I came out of the shoot with a few scratches and bug bites on my legs, but it was worth the photos and the experience.
BL: Did you guys have fun?!
Eleanor: I definitely enjoyed the day and what I got out of it. It wasn’t what I expected, in that it was a lot more methodical and professional, but that wasn’t a bad thing. Looking back I think of it as a beneficial learning experience, where I got a taste of what photography is like in the adult world. And to me, that made the experience fun. I’m very grateful that I got to take part in this lovely shoot, and for Tiger Tiger helping us out!
