Endless Motions

Perhaps it’s a delicate set of features shielded by a sharp, tailored suit, or a gesture so feminine at heart that it is nearly impossible to lose in a masculine translation; as it may be all about an inborn gentleness that gets toughened up by bits and pieces of menswear inspiration, or a severe attitude tamed by the most beautiful expression. Endless motions get to be rewritten with Simon Ackerman behind the camera, as he appears ready to use powerful contrasts in order to fully disclose hidden emotions.

Cinematic in all of its confined sense of luxury, the reimagining of the dandy girl is never to be done without the imminent collision of past and present. Her timeless portrait, impeccably styled by Tracy Michael, talks just as much about today’s modern aesthetic, as it does about the brave women of yesterday, who understood men’s clothing better than men themselves.

With hair by Debbie Hancock and make-up by Jemma Venables, check the complete photo shoot by Simon Ackerman (www.simonackerman.co.uk) at the gallery.

© Simon Ackerman Photography 2014 - www.simonackerman.co.uk 

Fashion editorial with James Pitt

I had a afternoon out shooting at the gas works in Poole and around Bournemouth beach in England for my first male model shoot in some time. Model James was full of ideas and not afraid to jump over walls for the sake of creativity! Here are the first retouches from the shoot. 

© Simon Ackerman 2014 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk 

A portrait of edginess - Sartorial Anagrams

With an easy sense of seduction photographer Simon Ackerman takes model Samara Martins and turns her into a fiery creature of beauty and allure. Combined with Martins’ soulful stare and exotic look, the punk infused styling by Andrew Clancy transforms her into a force to be reckoned with.

The fashion in this shoot has a modern patchwork style to it; focusing upon this and the contemporary jewelry accessories. The hair and make-up is worth calling attention upon: both are done in an exotic and sensual style. Make-up (done by Jen Evans) is heavy on the eyes and lips- jumping between looks of sexual seduction and playful innocence. Eye make-up is innovative in both the shades of colours used and the outlines created around the eyes. Hair (done by Jill Schanpp) goes from wild and tousled to smooth and elegant, defining each look as we move through the fashion shoot.

Written by Chevaun Roux.

© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk 

Black & white portraits of beauty in emotion: Empty Spaces

Photographer Simon Ackerman creates black and white portraits of fashion and form with these six fundamental depictions of beauty, sensuality, magnificence and compassion. Each image focuses on the natural glow and radiance that is given forth by model Shelby Benson.

Make-up, done by Jen Evans, is simple and refined – focusing on the organic outlines and feminine forms of Benson’s facial features: ample and sensuous lips compliment Benson’s dark and powerful eyes. Small touches of ring accessories add to the shoot’s femininity and delicacy. Ackerman uses his fashion shoots to focus on the detail and emotion of his subject matter, bringing out the not only the natural beauty that resides within, but also creating a platform for simple loveliness that has true and honest representation.

Written by Chevaun Roux.

© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk 

Backstage at Gregory Parkinson Spring / Summer 2014

Here's a collection of images I shot behind the scenes at Gregory Parkinson during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. These beauty head shots were shot using the Profoto Softbox RFi 5' Octa (150cm) with a Profoto Acute 2-D4 Flash Head set to continuous light. It was a quick and effective method to shoot the many models who were to model in the presentation and produced some beautiful results.

The last two seasons at New York Fashion Week complimentary e-cigarettes were being handed out both backstage and to the arriving guests. This made for lots of fun shots of models taking a puff and posing for the cameras. This model was particularly good fun backstage.

© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk 

A peachy, gilded beauty look: Hibiscus

Photographer Simon Ackerman creates a beautiful expression of bare skin and bare beauty in this exquisite portraiture shoot. Rather than the apparel that covers the body being the focus of the shoot, Ackerman draws attention to the body on which that apparel would sit, and the beauty of the face. Model Michelle Hicks’s soft creamy skin, ocean blue eyes and lips withholding unspoken words, create focus and are defined as where the true beauty lies.

The delicate addition of a low rolled hairstyle studded with flowers – created by Darren Bay – is symbolic of the delicacy found in the curve of the natural female form. Meanwhile, the beauty look by Lindsay Cullen is a picture of blushing femininity that mirrors the colours of the petals.

For steps on recreating the makeup look, read on after the break.

Eyes.

This look uses a beige/neutral base and a gold pigment. Lindsay applied ‘Ricepaper’ eyeshadow by MAC on the brow bone and OCC pigment in ‘Flicker’ at the crease.

Line eyes at the top of the lash and bottom waterline with a brown liner to compliment the gold tone. Lindsay used ‘Coffee’ eyeliner by MAC.

Take an eyeliner brush and swipe just above the top lash liner with an orange/gold shimmer such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) ‘Mimosa’ pigment.


Finish with two coats of mascara (for the shoot, Full ‘N Soft waterproof mascara by Maybelline was used).

Brows.

Frame your face with a heavier brow using an angled eyebrow brush and the same brown eyeliner applied throughout the brow.


Lips.

This look compliments the golden hues of the eyes with a coral-peach lip. Lindsay mixed Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) lip tars in ‘Interlace’ palest crème peach and ‘Trollop’ pinked coral.


Finishing touches.

To finish off the look, give the cheeks a rosy-bronze flush. For the shoot, Lindsay used Chanel blush in rose bronze and Laura Mercier bronzer on the apples of the cheeks.

Written by Chevaun Roux for www.fashionising.com 

© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk