To begin the lesson we took at look at the website of Sophie Gerrard, and how she constructs her biography for her page to introduce herself. She complies a short but sweet biography, talking about her education, how she began her career, where she is based now and what she does. She also lists various exhibitions that she has presented her work at, as well as awards she has won. This impressed us in a small biography and makes us believe their is more amazing facts about this photographer that we do not know. My biography on my website is short and only looks at my biggest achievements rather than numerous things I have done. My biography is around 150 words in length, with lists underneath of clients I have worked for and exhibitions I have held. I think a smaller biography works better for me due to my lack of experience in the industry compared with award winning photographers such as Gerrard.
We then looked at an extended biography of the photographer Mandy Lee Jandrell, who talks more in depth about her work and how she began her career journey. Although an extended biography provides more information to the reader, I find that it goes on to a while, and I lose interest half way through. With this example, I found it was easier to read than other extended biographies.
We then explores what is included in a biography. We decided that almost all professional biographies are written from a third person perspective, always commenting on the photographer does rather than I have. They also talk about their biggest achievements, where they have exhibited, where they have studies (especially if they have studies a Masters at a Univeristy regarded as being professional), areas and specialisms, where they have had work published, who they have worked with or for (such as clients and jobs) and awards they have gained because of their work.
We then began with a two line introduction to ourselves and our practice:
"Laura Jane Parkinson is a published fashion and portrait photographer based in the UK. She creates her work in the style of fashion and magazine editorials, that explore beauty within the human form."
We were then asked to expand upon this with 50-70 words:
"Laura Jane Parkinson has worked for a number of magazines, as well as producing images for fashion brands and advertisements. Her studies at the University of Salford have fuelled her drive to produce imagery that explores colour, elegance and feminism. She is especially inspired by cinema and nature, and incorporates these themes into her photographic work"
It was interested to be able to see the biography of Moira and how she explained her work, I feel that my biography so far is strong and better than the current version on my website. I originally used the work exceptional to describe my imagery, seeing as this is written in the third person, I would expect this would be okay. However, Moira commented on he fact I had used it, and would only recommend using this word if it was retrieved from a quote, such as from a magazine or newspaper. I will plan to include quotes from the newspaper that documented our Islington Mill exhibition, so I can include feedback from reputable external sources.
Moira then asked us to speak about a specific series of work we have completed or is part of our continuing research and photographic exploration. She spoke about her recently completed series looking at coal workers, which was funded by the National Media Museum. She spoke about her project meaning, who she was funded by and how she presented it.
"Laura Jane Parkinson is currently exploring her love of beauty, elegance and fairytales, and intertwining them with food photography advertisements and issues of consumerism. Her work looks at both the beauty of fairytales, as well as the underlying issues within them that are unbeknown to the children reading them. She explores the small details within dress, styling and looks, whilst paying close attention to food used within these stories that will later fuel consumerism within society."
Moira commented on how she found my paragraph confusing, and feels that the series would need a title. Most people in the lesson began their paragraph with who they were such as "Laura Jane Parkinson is a fashion and portrait photographer who..." and including a title within their work, even if it was just blank, underneath, I have changed this paragraph.
"Laura Jane Parkinson is a fashion and beauty photographer, currently exploring her love of beauty, elegance and fairytales within the series titled "Consume Me". She intertwines food photography advertisements and issues of consumerism, with the beauty of the human form within fairytales. Her work looks at both the beauty of fairytales, as well as the underlying issues within them that are unbeknown to the children reading them. She explores the small details within dress, styling and looks, whilst paying close attention to food used within these stories that will later fuel consumerism within society."
After we finished talking about biographies and writing them, Moira advised us to join sites like Axis and LinkedIn. I am already logged onto LinkedIn, but had never heard of Axis before. It offers free public liability insurance when you sign up to the website, which is really helpful if I want to pursue a career in being self employed. Overall this workshop was extremely helpful, especially coming towards my graduation and further studies in the upcoming year.
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