Photoshoot + Interview: 'Heather's Scent' by Vicky Wheeler
Do you have a creative pal who you just click with? (No pun intended, we swear!)
UK based photographer Vicky Wheeler recently got together with her good friend Becky for a soft and dreamy shoot that’s giving us all sorts of inspo for autumn looks!
Preppy meets punk in this impeccably-styled, college-break daydream, as the girls team fishnets with a pristine white tennis skirt, 'mum jeans' with vintage frames and the sweetest floral jumper we’ve ever seen!
The shoot’s English garden location (at Victoria Park in Bath) sets off an ethereal, cinematic vibe. Vicky’s work often does a beautiful job of showcasing women at ease in nature.
Vicky’s been working on fashion and fine art photography since graduating from the University of Exeter in 2012, and is constantly collaborating with new creatives to further develop her work. Her shoots range from boudoir to neon, pastel to grunge, and we can’t wait to see what she does next!
Keep reading for an exclusive interview with the talented photographer!
Q: When did you realise that photography was the career you wanted to pursue?
A: I would love to say that I always knew, but in reality I'm still not sure. There is something in me that just won't let me commercialise myself. Over the years I have tried many times to be a full time photographer but I'm a stubborn artist and dislike people taking over the artistic direction of my images. In an ideal world, I would be booked for jobs and left to do what I want with the trust that I will deliver, but that's just not how this industry works, not even for the most notable photographers.
I realised at this point that maybe it wasn't a photographer that I wanted to be, but actually a fine artist specialising in photography. I'm now trying to piece together my art and pursue fine art instead, and I've never felt more myself than I do now.
Q: Your photography style's very engaging and cinematic - what media inspires it? Literature, art, film?
A: I think my most obvious artistic inspiration is Wes Anderson: I haven't always been a Wes lover, I hadn't seen any of his films until about 4 years ago, but after watching The Life Aquatic, I realised he was very similar with his colouring, having a very 60s/70s vibe that I had always tried to achieve with my imagery. He inspired me to lean more towards creating cinematic photoseries instead of traditional portraits.
I also find my art is inspired by nature, and this relates to all art forms, from films (American Beauty), to poets (Robert Frost) and nature documentaries. I also visit lots of national gardens in the UK, and sometimes I even sneak in for a photoshoot!
Q: You shot this with a dear friend - how is working with friends different to working with a model you've just met?
A: Yes, the model in this series is my dear friend Becky and we have known each other for around 4 years now. She has such a great, creative energy and this is one of the reasons I love to work with her. I enjoy working with friends because I feel like I can play more with how I direct the shoot, and they're more comfortable with me shooting them which encourages them to experiment with their own style too. Shooting with a friend just feels like hanging out with a camera around and the relaxed atmosphere helps create softer images.
I do make friends with models and make up artists when I feel like we really click on a shoot, so that's why I tend to gravitate back to some familiar faces. They're like my own little girl gang and shooting them is an absolute pleasure.
Q: What kind of designers are you typically most attracted to working with?
A: I really enjoy working with designers who have a softer style, so light flowing materials or soft pastels and creams, but I also really love anything with a nod to the sixties and seventies. In the past I have mostly worked with lingerie designers and I really enjoy capturing the intricate beauty of their work as a lot of the time their skill is hidden under clothing. I would really love to work with more dress designers, I am in love with ruffles and tulle and materials that move with such elegance, so I'm hoping to experiment with that a bit more in the future.
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You can visit Vicky's website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Instagram (@vickywphoto) for more. Model Becky also has an Instagram which you can check out here. Enjoy!
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Cecile Blackmore is a writer from Brisbane, Australia. She writes and edits at The Creative Issue and hoards vintage clothing – follow her adventures on Instagram at @saintcecile.
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