Tell us a bit about the FaceTime photo shoots. How did you get started with them?
I started Facetime Photoshoots after facing the pressures of Lockdown as a creative. As a photographer I was unable to photograph my models in person. I was heartbroken, as I usually run a portrait based personal project every summer. This year I wanted to photograph individuals who wouldn't usually be photographed. People who have "normal jobs" and who aren't models. Luckily, Facetime photoshoots enabled me to do just that but on a larger scale. I discovered the very magic button on a FaceTime call that allows you to take a photograph on your models phone, this image is then sent to the caller's phone!
Did you find it challenging not working physically face to face?
Facetime photoshoots brought a whole new range of challenges. For me, taking someone's portrait is all about connecting with that person and really getting to know them and helping them relax to be truly "them" in front of the camera. Achieving this over facetime was slightly more tricky, however we had the benefit of photographing people in their own home, a place where most feel comfortable. The other challenge I came across was directing the framing and style of the shot. I had to ask my model very politely to place me in very specific positions so I could create the perfect frame for the shot. It would usually require their phone being sellotaped to something really strange like a can of baked beans, on a tower high stack of books. I believe at some point I was even sellotaped to a garden hoe!
How did the shooting process work?
My model's and I would usually discuss a look and outfit before the shoot, however I would usually ask them to wear something that they would never usually wear in their living room ... a ball gown for example! We would start our phone call with a quick house tour where I would take a mental note about where would be perfect as a back drop. I would then ask my model to place me in very specific positions and find a way to keep me placed there. Following this we would run the shoot just like we would in person, I would direct my model over facetime, testing out different poses and angles as we went. There was a lot of spontaneity involved and a lot of creative thinking on the spot.
Has shooting through FaceTime opened up more opportunities in anyway? Especially with models in different parts of the world?
Shooting through FaceTime has enabled me to photograph people I would never have been able to have photographed normally. It also allowed me to travel to at least 3 countries a day! FaceTime closed the distance between us and didn't require either of us to even leave our bedrooms if we didn't want to! I was also very lucky to photograph a few people who I would only have dreamed of being able to work with, catwalk models who walk for brands such as Ralph Lauren! It has been incredible.
Do you have more FaceTime shoots lined up and do you think it will be something you'll revisit for future shoots if needed?
I am still doing FaceTime photoshoots yes! I am working on a few collaborations with charities to symbolise how we have stayed connected during lockdown! It is certainly something I hope I can continue doing, they're so fun to do!
See more of Charlotte’s work here: www.charlottescholey.com