Fashion Editorials | Karen Woo Fashion Videographer

TRIUMPH Lingerie Fashion Editorial & Photography Tips

May 8, 2016Karen Woo 1 Comment

You would think by now that both Jess and I would be so comfortable with each other, and no challenge would ever deter us. Well, lingerie was definitely one of our most recent, challenging and new experience for the both of us. It was Jess’s first time getting in front of the camera in lacey bra and knickers (wait, wasn’t she one of BONDs Boobicon Ambassador?); and my first time directing her body in a way that her curves were accentuated in all the right places for the entire 3 hours. We had 5 different looks to nail, and by the end we were pretty chuffed by our efforts. Hard work, but was all worth it.

Even though this shoot was no different to any of our usual fashion editorials, but I thought I’ll share a few handy tips to take away when preparing for a blog or editorial shoot, especially if it is your first time as a fashion blogger working with the photographer, other team members or client.

Know exactly what you want to achieve, ie, colour and theme
Pull together your favourite reference images whether it is the poses, expression, locations, hair, makeup and wardrobe styling. It will give your team a sense of your direction. We called this the “mood board”
Prepare your outfits/looks well in advance. It’s useful if you could show them to your photographer so he or she can finalise the location of choice
Brief your team so everyone in on the same wave length, and an opportunity for every to collaborate and suggest ideas
Have your brief signed off by your client before you start shooting. This will avoid later disappointment or any misunderstandings
On the day, bring all your outfits (steamed and pressed), any props, food and great energy
Anything can happen on the day of the shoot, so be prepared to be flexible and try different things. It’s all about having the collaborative spirit!
What normally helps is to go through a few images on the back of the camera (or better, tether the images to the computer screen) together so you have the opportunity to adjust any clothing, props, expressions before fire gunning another set of useless images.

What Photographers should do:

Photographers should always be a part of the creative process, so make sure you are given updates and provide feedback where neccessary
Scout and choose locations in advance that would match the theme and outfit styling
Don’t be trigger happy on set. Compose the shot in camera, and wait for the moment before snapping
Make sure all the settings (ie, exposure, lighting) is correct before shooting
Give verbal direction, even if it means using your hand to guide them. If you want to move their body, always ask for permission before making contact.
Make your client happy and comfortable in front of the camera, including your team members. Never demand but have an energetic and collaborative spirit
Never over edit your images ie, skin smoothing to the point where the it starts to look like a plastic doll
Always go through your images, cull and select only your top favourite images for presentation. Trust me, your client won’t have time to go through 1000s and 1000s of images
Choose filters wisely if you intend on using them. If your client wants to keep the images clean and have clarity, then don’t use filters with lots of fade that will wash out the detail of the clothing.

Lastly, have fun on set even if it means braving the cold and stormy weather.

I hope some of these tips will be useful, but if you have any questions, please feel free to ask away.

Ok good night sleeping beauties and enjoy what we have created for Triumph Australia. xxx

makeup and hair // AIMMEY PHAM
talent/styling // JESS DEMPSEY
lingerie // TRIUMPH AUSTRALIA

Living on the Edge

March 6, 2016Karen Woo Leave a Comment

It really isn’t that hard to believe that we do live in one of the world’s most liveable city. Melbourne is the epicentre of coffee, food, art, sport and music culture. Over the past years, I’ve noticed a peak increase of cars jamming up our roads, housing prices sky rocketing, childcare waiting lists nearing 2 years and blogging becoming the norm, the way of life.

I recently finished reading this biography book, “In order to live” by a young North Korean girl called YEONMI PARK who recalls her tale about the hardships, the starvation, the violence and propaganda she had to endure, in order to fight for freedom. She was “living on the edge” practically everyday. Though her struggles were incomparable to my life – but it’s a reminder to me to stop complaining, take a moment and appreciate all the little things. I need to remind myself daily to count every blessing, every experience with the biggest gratitude and smile. It’s always good to put things back into perspective and not get caught up in this fickle world of materialism.

So how fitting it was when Eureka Skydeck88, the Edge invited Melanie (@theTiaFox) and I to see and capture Melbourne at a different perspective. It was actually something I’ve been meaning to do for a long while but never made time for it, even when I lived at Eureka back in 2008! We rocked up at 4pm (tips: park at Crown, and wait till sunset), took the elevator to the 88th floor and stepped into the Edge which slowly pulled out from the building. Before we knew it, we were suspended nearly 300 meters over Melbourne city in a glass cube – glass walls, ceiling and floor, and we had 10 whole minutes to ourselves.

Though I wished we just stood there and soak in the majestic city views, we were too busy scrambling around the cube for the quickest fashion shoot EVER! But seriously it was all worth it. I’ll do anything for great snaps.

Enjoy xx

Just imagining what my office life be like on SkyDeck88 – haha!

MELANIE is wearing BCBGMXAZRIA blazer and detachable skirt // TONY BIANCO strappy heels

I’m wearing VIKTORIA + WOODS ribbed knit dress // H&M denim shirt // BEAU COOPER mules

Common Thread 002 Featuring Steve Calder

March 1, 2016Karen Woo Leave a Comment

Images by Karen Woo
Creative Direction by Tiffany Newman of This Within
Influencer: Steve Calder of Calder brand.

Steve, tell us a bit about yourself and where you are from.

I was born in New Zealand and migrated to Melbourne with my family when i was young. I grew up in the city outskirts, where the culture is somewhat centralised. By that I mean many people who grow up there don’t really leave the place. Luckily, when I was 17, one of my early retail jobs moved me into a store in the CBD. After I had a taste of “big city life”, I knew that travel and exploration was a passion of mine. Since moving out of home at 19 I have made a point of traveling to as many places as possible, and do my best to learn about different local cultures and languages.

Has style always been an interest of yours? What inspires your style?

Since age 15, when I first began seeking a sense of individuality, style has always been an interest of mine. I have drawn my inspiration from many different sources over the years, often from a clash of worlds. For example in high school I was in a tight-jeans-wearing rock band, and at the same time I was working one of my first jobs at a tiny store selling conservative formalwear!

These days, while designing for my new brand Calder, I try to look inward and use my own imagination and mood to put my own spin on Italian-inspired menswear. So far (touch wood) it has been well received!

How has the landscape of Melbourne influenced your own personal aesthetic over the years?

I’ve been around the world a bit, and can confidently say that Melbourne is a very unique city in almost every way. The Melbourne landscape itself seems to draw on inspiration from other cities worldwide, and has been purposefully planned and laid out in a way that creates it’s own new-wave of city life. I believe the culture in our city is a relaxed one, coupled with very high standards for food, coffee and to an extent entertainment. The Menswear movement in Melbourne still has a long way to come, however the front-runners of Men’s Style here focus on high standards of dress in the same way as coffee and cuisine. I’m talking about awareness of the true nature of quality and a willingness to learn about intricate details. Where are the fabrics sourced? How is this garment actually made? These are questions that members of the growing local Menswear Movement are asking. So, in a similar way, I believe that I have had the same kind of need for knowledge and high standards instilled in me through Melbourne culture, which I believe is a product of the planned landscape of our city.

Tell us about your previous roles in the menswear industry. How have these roles influenced your own aesthetic?

Over the years my work has covered such a wide spectrum of menswear and style, from Streetwear to ‘60s Mod Rock to High Fashion, and classic Italian Sartorialism. Many different lifestyles are associated with each concept of “style,” and one can wildly differ from the other. What I love is that all of these concepts of style happily co-exist. As a modern male, I can easily incorporate streetwear on weekends, tailoring on weekdays and a healthy dose of sportswear throughout my life. I believe that although this type of viewpoint is the way of the future, only someone who truly appreciates the clothing they wear can rise above the “trends” that big brands are pushing.

Looking ahead, one of my goals is to help others appreciate the reality of style and show them how to truly look their best, without necessarily having to focus on the “hottest item of the moment.”

Take us through typical day for a guy like you in the menswear world?

For me, every day is different, so this is quite hard to answer. The “menswear world” can take on many different meanings. The only real consistencies in my day involve taking my time getting up in the morning (not a morning person), including carefully ironing a shirt, selecting an outfit (usually prepared in my head the night before) and giving the day’s shoes a quick polish. During the day you’ll find me possibly catching up with mates for a bite and some sartorial discourse. Coffee is always present too!

Tell us more about your new venture ‘Calder’ – how much of Melbourne’s landscape & culture has impacted you with regards to this project?

After over a decade immersing myself in the menswear industry, I am super excited to announce the launch of my new Made-To-Measure Brand. Calder provides unique tailoring for local Australians, with a Neapolitan soul. Every garment is carefully hand-made in Southern Italy, a fact I am very proud of. My inspiration is drawn from a focus on the relaxed nature of our city, coupled with high standards and attention to detail that we have become accustomed to in other parts of our life.

I believe a strong Italian influence is evident in Melbourne’s general culture, and that is partly why I have chosen to take on the Italian aesthetic and adapt it to my garments (the other part is, well, I just love the way the Italians do it!). The Calder brand will launch in March, a moment I am looking forward to.

Thank you Steve for incredible editorial collaboration, and we wish you all the success that you deserve for the Calder brand! xx

Common Thread 001 featuring Nami Nguyen

January 19, 2016Karen Woo Leave a Comment

It’s been one year in the making! Tiffany Newman (Editor of This Within) and I are super thrilled to present our new project with you which is entitled “Common Thread”. It is a five part series which explores the link between landscape and style through the aesthetic of five Melbourne men.

In our first instalment we document the style of local menswear icon, Nami Nguyen.

CLICK THE LINK TO READ FULL STORY >> http://thiswithin.com/portfo…/common-thread-001-nami-nguyen/

Every Day with Peter J

January 5, 2016Karen Woo Leave a Comment

I’ve grown up with Peter Jackson, and I can always remember the iconic “Peter Jackson” jingle that sounded over their adverts as the most dapper of men graced the screen. Peter Jackson has been making luxury & innovative tailoring to meet every Aussie man’s needs for decades and has become the go to for men in every state….including my very own Dad.

When I was little girl, my Dad would used to take me on a mission to choose a shirt and tie for him, and Peter Jackson was his shop of choice. So when I say that I’ve grown up with Peter Jackson, I mean more than just knowing the jingle off by heart. Decades later, I have been fortunate enough to work with this classic brand in a creative and street style capacity.

Aiming to bring a fresh and interesting look to PJ, we created a new wave of direction where story telling and lifestyle elements are key to their content. The #EverydaywithPeterJ campaign shows how the everyday man can take any Peter Jackson garment and weave it in with his own wardrobe to define his own style. Working with a number of Social Influencers, the campaign is an exciting new concept and project I am proud to share with you.

First off, here’s Daniel James Harris (@danieljamesharris) from The Gallant Army. See our first street style story below, with more to come in the next few days.

Enjoy! xx