A Handsome Project: She Is Frank

Photography: She is Frank http://www.sheisfrank.com
Styling: Tessa O'Connor http://www.tessaoconnor.com/
Hair/Makeup: Megan Harrison http://meganharrisonmakeupartist.com/
Model: Bree Unthank @ Giant Model Management

We are proud to present the first installment of The Handsome Project. Each month we’ll showcase an amazing young photographer who blows our minds, shoots our stuff and is all together fantastic. Read on to see the rest of She Is Frank’s WAH shoot and interview!

Photography: She is Frank http://www.sheisfrank.com
Styling: Tessa O'Connor http://www.tessaoconnor.com/
Hair/Makeup: Megan Harrison http://meganharrisonmakeupartist.com/
Model: Bree Unthank @ Giant Model Management

INTERVIEW w SHE IS FRANK

How did you get to here? (What’s your photographer history?)

Lots of hard work, passion, persistence, an addiction to photography and self-belief.

Are you a self-taught photographer or did you have a mentor/teacher that showed you the ropes?

I studied film photography at a photography college, but after my teacher failed me, I dropped out. I then assisted a photographer full time for a year.

I’d say my mentor is the fashion magazine; the place where studying the works of great photographers has taught and inspired me more than anything else.

When did you decide, photography was something you just had to do?

From a very young age I was enthralled by fashion magazines and I always knew I wanted to work in fashion. However I never thought I could become a photographer, it seemed like such an impossible career, but one day it just clicked, I decided to become a photographer regardless of the impossibilities.

Favorite photograph? (not taken by you)

The first time I saw a photo titled ‘Swan Lake’ which is a portrait of Will Kemp by David LaChapelle, it actually made me cry. It is a very beautiful photo.

Favorite photographer?

I really like Martin Parr. I love his approach, his colors, his point of view and his ability to get courageously close to his unwilling subject.

Describe your photographic approach in three words.

Fun, bright, sexy.

How do you decide on locations & subjects for your shoots?

It all depends on whom I’m shooting and whom it’s for. I always arrange stuff very last minute.

Do you prefer film or digital? Why?

I love them both equally. Film captures a really beautiful mood that digital just doesn’t see. But I love the opportunities that digital gives you, it’s much less restrictive than film.

Favourite camera?

I really love my Leica Z2X 35mm film camera. I use it for all my personal work, it’s the perfect size and it’s an attractive little camera.

Studio or On Location?

Location! I find studio photography so boring and limiting and I like the challenge of shooting on location.

There’s a great challenge in finding the perfect location, convincing owners to shoot there, dealing with weather and – if it’s in a public space – dealing with an audience. I feel like nothing can go wrong when shooting in a studio and that doesn’t leave any room for spontaneity.

Black & White or Colour?

That depends on the photo. Sometimes I’ve taken a photo and in my mind I wanted it to be a color photo, but some photos are just meant to be black and white. But I really love playing with color and I spend a lot of time perfecting the colors in my images.

If you could take your photography in any direction without fear of failure or rejection, where would it lead? What new things would you try?

I already do this. When I shoot, I’m very selfish and uncompromising. I don’t try to please anyone but myself. That doesn’t mean I haven’t experienced rejection, but when it comes to my work, I have no fear.

What turns you on?

70’s record vinyl covers

What turns you off?

Meat eaters.

Where to next?

I’m going to shoot in L.A, Vegas, Atlanta and New York in November.

Who Is Frank?

http://www.sheisfrank.com/

findme@sheisfrank.com

http://www.blog.sheisfrank.com/

We Are Handsome would like to hug and applaud She Is Frank for her fabulous photo shoot! XO