Time is bent! We know how the ‘slow-fast’ pace of time plays tricks and sometimes the most exciting experiences seem quickly forgotten. And yet they keep resurfacing in multitude ways – informing and influencing what you do today. In a new Memorabilia: the greatest hair experiences series, we invite you to share what remains for you, truly unforgettable. Here to start and in his own words, we have renowned photographer Jack Eames:
Jack Eames: That Iceland shoot
“A work trip to shoot a collection in Iceland has been firmly etched in my memory of life-affirming moments. Still to this day, my friend Julie Bellinger-Gibb and I ask each other: “did that really happen?”
“Iceland is a place that was always in my top countries I wanted to visit in my life. So to be able to do this while making pictures, was pretty much a dream combination. The solitude, light, varied landscapes and extremeness that I’d always heard about had been very appealing.
A raw landscape for the Iceland shoot
“Accompanying me to represent the client were Stephen McDowell and Julie. They entrusted me to capture the story for Schwarzkopf Professional. Hairdressers Scott Smurthwaite and Will Eagles from Cream salon, the stylist Clare Frith and makeup artist Lee Pearson made up the team. It’s always important when shooting on location in a different country to have a good, strong, dependable group with you – I knew we were in safe hands from the offset.
Planning to succeed
“Meticulous planning by the UK team for several months meant that on getting off the plane in Rejkavic, we went straight into a bus to scout for locations across the island. To overcome language barriers, the driver and I recorded the sites through GPS together, to ensure a steady two shoot days ahead.
“On our second day in Iceland we held our casting. With six hours booked at the hotel, only five models showing up for the casting and three slots to fill. Luckily the chosen models were strong, cool and had great hair for Scott and Will.
“Finally days three and four rolled around – the shoot days! A storm (even by Iceland standards) had hit. Scott and Will were in their hotel room prepping the hair from 4am, and it was starting to feel like the dream location Iceland shoot might not come together as planned.
“We were discussing coffee shops and other interior alternatives for the shoot that felt authentic to Rejkavic. However, creatively, I was hugely reluctant as it could easily look like we weren’t even in Iceland. And one of the joys of shooting on location is using the ambient light available, the textures/shapes/colour in front of you from nature and its challenges and beauty.”
On location
“Our first model was Kolfinna Kristófersdóttir, it was only her second shoot and she moved like a seasoned pro. In our photos she is the short dark haired model. I set up a light by the tiny wooden house, and within seconds it blew over – that was it, the wind was too strong to set anything up. For the rest of the two shoot days I was unable to use any additional lighting, and had to use only the ambient. This was exciting as well as concerning! If the light completely went, as we were at a time of year where there were only around four to five hours of daylight.
“One of my favourite shots of the two days is of Kolfinna shot under a vast roof of hanging cod, wet and dripping with snow.
… only in Iceland!
From this shoot, Kolfinna went onto work and live in New York, appearing in i-D Magazine also.
“Our second model (long red hair) had never worked before. I am much better with faces than I am with names, so I wish I could remember hers! She had watched Kolfinna perform and clearly understood what was needed, and brought a brilliant attitude and energy to the team. We got some great shots of her effortlessly traversing rugged volcanic rock, and nearly getting blown into the sea in the process!
“Svala Lind was also an Icelandic model. With her long blonde hair and great facial features she was an important part for the balance of the shoot. Svala came to London a couple of years later and I shot her again which was a lovely throwback to our time working together in Iceland.”
Living the dream
“The fifth and final full day of the trip was something I will always remember. Julie and I met up for breakfast, and sleepily looked out of the window trying to fathom the experience of the last few days over coffee. In less than a minute, an entire spectrum of weather elements occurred outside our window, crystalising the enormity of our trip. I hope you enjoy the images and my reminiscing over the memories of this shoot – thank you again to the wonderful team that made it all possible. “
Thanks Jack for sharing the photographs and the story. If you have an epic memory to share, email: nicky@ihaa.co.uk and you could be our next profile!
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