Behind the Photo: The Love Rebellion ‘Fine and Mellow’ Collection
behind the Love Rebellion Photo Shoot
all photos by Jessy Plume/video by Byron Turk
To see all of the photos from this shoot click here
FASHION. I MAKE IT. – ANIKA GLEZ for Love Rebellion Couture
North Hollywood native and Creative Director/Founder of Love Rebellion Couture Anika Glez fills us in on what inspires her designs, how she got her start in the world of Fashion, and why she believes that men and women should wear what they feel confident in and what compliments them and ignore trends.
To check out a preview of the Fall 2009 Love Rebellion Collection click here.
TRAFFIK: Where are you from originally? Where are you based now and how did you get there?
Anika Glez: I am originally from North Hollywood, California. I was up until recently still based out of the San Fernando Valley. The Valley still is home to my family, friends and influences so I’m enjoying working from this region.
Q & A with “Photographist” Jessy Plume
“Photographist” Jessy Plume answers some questions regarding her technique, favorite subjects to shoot, and her first camera.
Q. When did you realize that you wanted to be a photographer and why?
A. I think it was in high school, around 16, I realized there must be a reason I spent all of my time in the darkroom instead of class. I just couldn’t get enough information about it (photography). I studied fashion mags and photo books. It’s the only thing I was really crazy about back then.
Q. What was one of the first photographs that you saw that really spoke to you and why?
A. Kate moss at 15/16…. Not sure why she just looked so amazing in that Photo
Q. What was your first camera and at what age?
A. Hmmmm. Tough one, I have kept them all. I’m thinking it was my Bronica 645 (medium format)….. I used a lot of others before that but it was the first I actually saved up for and was MINE all mine!
Q. Do you recall the first picture you took?
A.The first picture I took with actual ‘lighting’ and a ‘professional camera’ was of my best friends Liz and Sara, still have it.
Q.What has been one of your hardest to put together shoots? How about your craziest?
A. The toughest jobs are the ones you really care about and are worth shooting, but have no budget for;
Hardest- Sex Cobra (band) In the desert in July-ish 120 degree weather… I thought I was going to vomit the entire time, heat stroke is a bitch.
(Sex Cobra – all photos by Jessy Plume - click on photos to enlarge)
Craziest- Love Rebellion…. So much to shoot in so many locations with so many people involved in so little time!!! But soooo worth it!
Q. Not everyone feels comfortable in front of a camera, how do you make your subjects feel comfortable enough to get a great shot?
A. I’m not sure how to explain how this happens… It’s a chemistry, I guess, I have been told numerous times I’m a great director, I always find it funny when people tell me this cause I don’t see myself that way necessarily… I just love the process and once it has begun its just about changing it /narrowing it down until you get what you are looking for.
(photo for H.Studio by Jessy Plume)
Q.When working with a subject/person for the first time, how do you prepare?
A. I like to sit and brainstorm with them, get to know their ideas/personality.
Q. What are your favorite things/people to photograph?
A. I sort of ‘fall in love’ with almost every person I shoot, I obsess for a bit then the next thing comes along. I do continuously however love shooting musicians.
Q. Do you have a favorite camera/piece of equipment?
A. My filters… My favorite cameras are my favorite because they are pretty not because I use them all of the time.
Q. Do you have a certain technique or style that you feel sets you apart from other photographers?
A. I think I do. People always tell me I shoot like ‘film stills’ Im not really sure about that or how I’d even describe my work, but again I think all of my work has a similar/ specific ‘look’.
Q. Where do the ideas and inspiration behind your photos come from? Is there a place you go to to get inspiration?
A. Location wise it is definitely the desert. I have two folders on my computer as well as two scrapbooks…. One of each is titled Amazing Photos one is titled Horrible Photos. I like to look at both to remind me of who is better than me and who I ‘think’ I am better than. Not in general just in instances… Once in a while I’ll see an amazing photo and wish I shot it, sometimes I’ll see a terrible one and think about how much someone got paid to do that and be bummed.
Q. Do you have a preference for black and white or color?
A. It really depends on the shot, I would have to say no. I like it when things look ‘gritty’ no matter what hue/color.
Q. Would you say that you look at the world in a different way than most people?
A. I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different’.
Fashion is…Fine and Mellow: A Tale of Two Lovers by Love Rebellion
Collection by Anika Glez for Love Rebellion
Check back next week for an interview with Love Rebellion Creative Director Anika Glez
*all images copyright of Love Rebellion
Featured Photographer – Jessy Plume
A native New Yorker, who self admittedly tends to “fall in love” with almost every subject she shoots, Photographer Jessy Plume is a rare combination of childlike wanderlust crossed with a wise old soul. Upon meeting her you quickly become aware that she gets it. You may not be quite sure just yet of what “it” is, but you are certain she does. You are probably right.
The photographer who counts Joyce Tennison, Avedon, Anabel Vasquez, Tom Waits, and David Lynch as inspirations and people she looks up to expresses no hesitation to go against the norm or think outside the box when it comes to her photography. She is also often guilty of making a habit of getting away to places where she has no cell phone reception.
photo by Jenn Ryan
Plume who first realized photography would be her passion at 16 years of age, now counts Alexandra Von Furstenberg, DANSR, Elmer Ave, H Studio, Love Rebellion, as well as many other designers as clients. The MassArt (Boston) and Art Center (Pasadena) alumni has also quickly become the go to girl for many LA based bands who want to work with someone who can capture the true spirit of their band’s image and sound.
Nikon and Canon are what this self-described “typical Gemini” prefers to use professionally, but still indulges in using film for personal projects or when the budget and/or concept allow for it. Plume also intimates, “My Holga is always my go to when I’m feeling like I need to get away from all the BS.”
When asked if she feels she sees the world differently from other people Plume responded “I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different.’ ”
Jessy Plume’s work can be found at www.myspace.com/masadamaya and www.jessyplume.com.
Check back for a Q & A with Jessy next week.
Also all visitors of TRAffIK will get to witness Jessy Plume’s work on a regular basis as she is who captures much of the sights that you will see featured on this site.