heavy hitter
“The most important thing is to stay true to who you are and to make sure people have a fun day on set.”
I
n this age where smart phones are a part of the human anatomy, everyone knows how to take a good shot—of course, with a help of a thousand camera apps and smothering it with their favorite filters. While we mere mortals capture these #HashtagMoments, there are lens gods who burst tall and remind us why our photos can only go as
far as social media platforms. Enter this flare of flash: Simon Burstall. Growing up, his first shot at photography was shooting his friends riding the risky waves of Australian waters. The Aussie recalls, “A teacher saw my interest in taking pictures and took me under his wing.” As he zoomed in on this hobby, this interest became his focal point when he was exposed to the works of American fashion photographer Richard Avedon. From snapping the ultimate Brit chic Twiggy to the quintessential sex symbol Marilyn Monroe to pop art visionary Andy Warhol, Simon takes in how the late great photographer helped define America’s image of style, beauty, and culture for the last halfcentury. “He gave life and
movement to all of his pictures,” he adds. While some look at the negatives to develop a good shot, Simon flashes his light on the dark road not taken. As he tries look in to the iconic shutterbug’s camera, he now captures his own composition exposing bold structures of sophisticated yet beautifully fresh photos. Through his lens, he locks a sense of vulnerability underneath its glossy aesthetic. Shooting advertisments for brands like Victoria’s Secret: Pink, Hush Puppies, Levi’s, Lancôme, and Hugo Boss plus editorials for fashion magazines such as Elle UK, Vogue Russia, and Marie Claire, Simon Burstall is absolutely in the right mindframe.
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