Behind the Scenes of ‘SEEKING NEVERLAND’ – a sister portrait session
“The strong bonds of sisterhood inspired the sisters Kristin and Ellinor and myself to go into the forest one sunny summer’s day. We wanted to capture moments that speaks of memories and closeness between sisters, and combine that with celebrating the imagination and innocence of a time past.”
This is a tribute to all of you that at some point were split between adulthood luring in the distance, and at the same time didn’t want to grow up. That found comfort in the idea of a never-ending childhood, protecting you from the world beyond. To you who let your mind be occupied with imagination and dreams of magical, more exciting worlds filled with adventure and innocence.
“This is a reminder that that magical place is still out there. It is never too late to visit that fantasy land, protecting you, even for a little while. This is to you, who is Seeking Neverland.”
‘Seeking Neverland’ is part of my in progress series ‘Parallels’ where the stories unveiled are parallels to the ordinary world we all can see. I would recommend to check the images out in their full glory and full size at the site of the series.
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Last, but not at all least, I want to give my love to you Kristin and Ellinor. Not only are you remarkably sweet, kind, and funny, but your positivity, generosity and helpfulness has no limit. I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Love, Jenny
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DEAREST SISTER
MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING Curious about futuristic fashion photography from Göteborg? Check out this “alienesc” editorial, taking you to The space that is and isn’t…
The making of the fashion editorial ‘END OF LINE’ in Unfolded Magazine
I’m excited to present to you the editorial ‘End of line’ (larger images), created for the fashion collection made by designer Emelie Arvidsson and published in the London magazine Unfolded Magazine. After the successful collaboration with the fashion story for Emelie’s previous collection ‘The space that is and isn’t’ the aim was to create a new story, strong on its own but with an alluding connection between the two collections.
CONCEPTUAL BRIEF AND PLANNING
Two months before the planned shoot I met up with Emelie over a cup of coffee to talk through the background of the collection, discuss the brief and to settle on a creative goal. Emelie showed me the artistic development for her concept and we talked through inspirations and important things to highlight.
The focus of the collection is lines that are a fundamental part of visual perception and Emelie’s aim was to investigate the dynamics of straight lines through experimental construction of dress. It is obvious how lines are a crucial part of the construction and the striving and direction is truly important. I picked up on Emelie’s explanation that line compositions can provide strong dynamics given it’s put in relation to body and movement and I wanted to incorporate that into the story.
Emelie’s moodboard
The brief had similar grounds as for the previous ‘The space that is and isn’t’ project and a futuristic setting with clear visual space/void, concrete/asphalt and strong shape was once again incorporated into the moodboard. Playing with the name of the collection, ‘End of line’, investigation of the dynamics of straight lines continues through the editorial, transferring the collection and the story into the futuristic setting that alludes to what inspired the collection. Bringing the characters and clothes into a somewhat post-apocalyptic setting, the search for the end of line continues.
After thorough location scouting and scetching and approving image ideas, the fantastic team met up early one summer morning for prep and make-up before taking off to the old abandoned airfield of ‘Torslanda gamla flygfält’, just outside Gothenburg (Göteborg):
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Photography | JENNY JACOBSSON Designer and Styling | EMELIE ARVIDSSON Model | from MODELLINK Hair and Make-up | LINNEA ARVIDSSON Assistant | JOHAN TORSELL _____________________
For the story, a harsh sun leaving no mercy for the long walk ahead, was what I wished for so I was really pleased with the weather that day. Especially considering that you can never be sure what our west coast city will bring. Although, it was windy as usual, but of course we were prepared with cover ups to resist the cold. While the girls were preparing the final things before the first part of the shoot….
…Johan got some time to enjoy the sun 😉
The story begins with the two characters leaving a city, now completely abandoned and empty, on their journey searching for the end of line. For the first image we wanted a bit of a birds eye view, later on making the city visible in the far distance. I must say I’m no fan of heights or ladders, but by getting absorbed by shooting I completely forgot about my fears and instead I was having a lovely time up there.
Johan did a great job with directing the light with the reflector and Linnea and Emelie were constantly on their toes, trying to fight the effect of the wind on hair and make-up.
The result of the day, and thereafter the many many hours of image processing behind the computer to enhance and convey the story we had planned for, has gotten such a wonderful response and I’m so grateful of the team, together making it all happen. I surely hope you will like our fashion story!
The team! From left: Linnea Arvidsson, model from MODELLINK, Jenny Jacobsson, Emelie Arvidsson, Johan Torsell
I had two cheerful announcements about getting published last week! First up, in the lovely Golden Age Magazine I was featured with an interview and images from my portfolio and my series Parallels.
A late summers day I gathered a fantastic team to make an image for my conceptual portrait series ‘Parallels’. I had been inspired by Rania’s (previous studio portrait) dreadlocks and her dark features for some time…
“…I wanted to create a portrait alluding to greek mythology characters and their features, like Medusa and her hair and the sirens and their manipulative powers. Being from the windy southwestern parts of Sweden the image was created on the concept of the ocean and storm, and the power to control it.“
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Photographer | JENNY JACOBSSON Make Up Artist | MARTINA SÖDERLUND Model | RANIA RÖNNTOFT Assistant | ANDREAS SKOGLUND Behind the Scenes footage | JENNY, MARTINA and ANDREAS ____________________
Martina got the task of keeping Rania’s natural beauty but at the same time turn her into a vicious sea creature. I had the task of making Ranias dreads stand up like they were floating and moving by her powers. To do this I needed to twist steel wires round every one of her approx. 40 dreadlocks and then sew sewing threads to the tips that we later connected to a wire ring crafted by Andreas.
We attached the wire ring to a long stick that Andreas used to lift up the dreadlocks above Rania’s head. Thank you so much Andreas, for patiently performing the odd task of standing out in the cold wind holding a stick attached to hair.
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A huge thank you to you Rania for your radiantly positive attitude, even when getting wet and cold. And to Martina for your creative vision and also shooting BtS footage. We sure had a fun time, fighting against the sunset!
Inspiration from the fashion show of Borås Textilhögskola – EXIT13
Yesterday the journey went to Borås for the fantastic fashion show and exhibition of the textile and fashion graduate design students of Borås Textilhögskola. Not only did I want to support and get a close look at the newest work of Emelie Arvidsson (the extraordinary designer that I shot for last year), but going to events like this is reeeeally good for inspiration for your shoots. Also, it’s a great opportunity to get to see all the amazing talent that are present in your vicinity. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a great new collaborator! I know for sure there are a couple of designers here that really spark my interest… When I got back home I just had to take out my notebook and doodle down all the ideas I got during the night. Hopefully there could be something in there for the future.
But most of all, I’m truly stoked that I’m shooting the new collection “End of line” of Emelie Arvidsson next week! So stay tuned and follow me on my social media because soon we promise to try to blow your minds!
Designers above: Saina Koohnavard, Emelie Ahlner, Johanna Andersson, Emelie Arvidsson, Abril Vergara Lozano
Conceptual fashion shoot for designer Emelie Arvidsson
One of the highlights for me last year was shooting the fashion collection “The space that is and isn’t” for the amazing designer Emelie Arvidsson.Emelie contacted me for my conceptual and storytelling work and asked for an image concept that really was going to bring out the strong story and idea of her designs. The editorial got published by Papercut Magazine.
The biggest challenge was to find the perfect location suiting the brief. We wanted to shoot in Göteborg (Gothenburg) and the city is not especially famous for its “light concrete” architecture… I scanned through all of town, going back and forth on my bicycle with one hand on the handlebars and the other holding my camera, viewing all modern architecture, visiting recent roadwork, climbing under bridges to look at the abutments, etc. And then, suddenly, it hit me. I knew the perfect spot. I’ve been there so many times without just thinking about it in this manner. It was right there, under (or perhaps better described as above) my nose. Once I showed it to Emelie, we both knew we had our location.
Photography | JENNY JACOBSSON
Designer & Styling | EMELIE ARVIDSSON
Model | ELLEN BRANTEMO
Hair & Make-up | LINNEA ARVIDSSON
INSPIRATION FOR IMAGE CREATORS – Internship at Cooper & Gorfer
As a photographer, or any image maker, you can choose to sit around waiting for inspiration to pop up by itself. Personally, I’m a firm believer that feeling inspired is a state of mind you can teach yourself to find when you need it. So, what can we do to get started? I’m gathering and sharing my methods and favorite creators as a resource to help keeping our inspirational juices flowing. And I invite you along for this series of “INSPIRATION FOR IMAGE CREATORS”!
The very last thing we do at Fotoskolan Göteborg (Photo school Gothenburg) is 6 months of internship. When Sarah Cooper and Nina Gorfer (Cooper & Gorfer) stepped into our class room for a lecture at the beginning of our education I fell straight away for their amazing imagery and striking personalities. Taking me away to a far away place, both geographically and imaginary. Their images, that I would explain as a mix between photography and painting, tell stories that instantly made me feel that I wanted… needed… to do my internship with them.
Luckily for me, they wanted me as well. I’m so excited to try to pull my weight by their side and I’m sure these upcoming 6 months will rock!
You MUST go and get swept away by their work. Visit their website to view their art and images from exhibitions, books, etc, and go to agency Skarp to watch their more commercial work.
And just like 2012, this summary has to come to an end. Over the last year I have not only shot images. I also have…
1 – …created three new sites:
a total makeover of jennyjacobsson.com (by design bureau Mollbyrån), including new logo and writing new about text.
a brand new Facebook page to share fun photography stuff, tips, and photo inspiration and sharing more of my work with you guys.
a completely new blog design showcasing my images so much better.
2 – During the autumn I got a great new business card design (also from Mollbyrån), bought a new camera, and put together a great physical A3 portfolio.
3 – And so finally, in late December, we pulled off our big and mighty examination exhibition. 24 photographers from Fotoskolan Göteborg worked our tiny bums off to put everything together, exhibiting all our individual examination projects for a week. So stressful, so much to do, but in the end, so worth it and so much fun.
4 – A lot happened in 2012 and I’ve experienced so many new things. But most important of all, 2012 was a year filled with love and amazing friendship. Thank you so much you guys for being there and making life so much fun. <3
The summary for the awesome year of 2012 continues!
1 – This was the year of interior shoots…
2 – …and architectural shoots…
3 – …and photographing animals in the hostel Strandflickorna together with wonderful photographer Rania Rönntoft, a collaboration with Copywriter Axel Johansson and Art Director Andréas Silverblad.
4 – It was the year of doing an assignment for Passivhus, a collaboration with Copywriter Anders Malm and again with Art Director Andréas Silverblad, taking us all the way to the finals of the competition Pitch 2012.
5 – I did the profile image for Mollbyrån and Andreas Gustafsson, and continued to work on my self portrait project.
6 – I got the honour of photographing some of the cutest children ever…
7 – …and I visited exhibitions of some of the best photographers and artists, e.g. Sally Mann, David LaChapelle, Paul Graham, Christer Strömholm, Helmut Newton, Arnold Newman, Gerard Richter… and more.
Here’s the continuation of the summary for the awesome year of 2012!
1 – Oh the tasks you get from a photography school…. Here’s a self portrait magazine / fashion / beauty assignment with the location requirement “boat”.
2 – In April our class went on a photography inspirational week trip to Berlin and we had a blast! More images from Berlin here. Go Team Sauerkraut!
3 – Portfolio images for Emma of “JO! Models” during the fashion project for the company rebranding. Watch the video campaign we shot!
4 – Wonderful Hanna and Paddy got married in London and we were more than happy to fly over for that special occasion.
5-6 – Andreas and I went on a photo trip through the middle parts of Sweden to enjoy ourselves as well as shoot images for a project of mine. You’ll see more shots from this project coming up in the future. I would do this again EVERY summer if possible!
7 – As soon as we got the chance we relaxed and just enjoyed the summer of 2012. At least when I wasn’t sliding down muddy hills during location scouting…. or taking the office outside… or catching up on some business reading while resting my ankle. In conclusion, a lovely summer.
What a marvelous year it was, 2012. So filled with new experiences, new friends, challenges, and most of all, love. Here’s a little summary!
1 – It happened January 1st. 30 seconds into the new year, while watching the fireworks fade over Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Andreas got down on one knee and asked me to become his wife. The answer couldn’t have been any more obvious! The wedding is in June 2013…
2 – At Fotoskolan Göteborg (Photo school Gothenburg) I constantly greeted new challenges, here photographing e.g. architecture with flashes. Instructor the oh so kind Hendrik Zeitler.
3 – My project “Movie Title Stills” with behind-the-scenes shots.
4 – A collaboration with the talented Art Director Leo Dal and Copywriter Mike Stranéus for Livlinan. A big thank you to the model Daniel Liljedahl!
5 – My favorite instructor through both years at Fotoskolan was David Bicho. Both because of his sense of humour as well as for the many, MANY, things he tought me about light.
6 – In March our apartment was invaded by equipment! It was time to shoot a commercial for our filmmaking course, with Johan Ekström, Hans Andersson, and Nadim Elazzeh.
The design and web development bureau Mollbyrån in Gothenburg (Göteborg) asked me to shoot the profile image for the website’s About page (Om byrån) (visit the page for a larger image) and excitedly I jumped on board. The assignment also included to develop the image concept in collaboration with Andreas Gustafsson, the creative director of Mollbyrån.
Brief:Creative, active, conceptual, artistic, without borders…
Making man fly – how to create levitation in Photoshop
This video is a Before & After as well as an accelerated showcase of my post-processing of a several files to a finished conceptual image. Here I’m making man fly by creating levitation with a few Photoshop tricks.
The sky is the limit…
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location | LANGKAWI ISLAND in MALAYSIA model | ANDREAS GUSTAFSSON
Curious about futuristic fashion photography from Göteborg? Check out this “alienesc” editorial, taking you to The space that is and isn’t…
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