Exclusive: Keeping it Real - Interview with Photographer Jim Marks

Jim Marks

There’s no denying that the images of seemingly perfect models pouting, smiling and tossing their manes from the pages of magazines, billboards and adverts present a certain ideal– and virtually unattainable - concept of beauty. Whilst we may claim that these photographs are unrealistic - as models have lots of ‘help’ in the form of styling, make-up and the best photographers in the world - can ordinary women really cut it on camera and beat the models to win advertising campaigns? So runs the premise of Coleen McLoughlin’s new TV show Coleen’s Real Women, where - making her TV presenting debut - she scours the nation for naturally beautiful girls to be given the same amount of preening, coiffing and clever lighting to give them a fighting chance against the pros for contracts including Pretty Polly and Sweaty Betty. Photographer Jim Marks (who has worked with people including Madonna, The Royal Family and Sharon Osbourne; shot campaigns for Sony and Lynx along with the fashion stories for this magazine ) was charged with snapping each of the ‘real women’ and creating a portfolio fit for a fashion goddess. We caught up with him.

What was it like working with Coleen?
She’s got a flair for fashion. She’s fun and  good to work with.

And how was she with the girls? Did she offer them lots of advice and fashion tips?
She was very supportive and kind. The days were very energetic.
It’s actually quite challenging  to take women who’ve never been photographed professionally before as they are new at posing for the camera,  and often unsure how to wear clothes like a model. So we all had to teach them.

How did you build their confidence?
It was a team effort. For my part I tried to make each of the shoots fun. And I never shout at people.

Were they really nervous?
Some were, but others were quite brassy!

Had you met them before each shoot?
No! The door would open and I’d never seen any of the  girls before. They could be  any shape , any size, and I had a  fraction of a second to sum them up and work out how to get the best out of them.

Did anyone freeze on the day?
We got there with all of them.

And how did they compare to professional models?
Modelling is like any job,  if  that’s your career you should know what to do.
Models  know how to stand,  they’re not fazed by the camera… for them it’s a normal day.
For these girls it was more than that.  It was an insight into what they see as a glamorous industry.

What made some of the 'real' women  stand out from each other?
What we learnt is that it doesn’t matter what size you are, what matters is whether you have the right attitude and confidence.It’s all about what’s going on behind the eyes.

Did you have a favourite?
The girl that could have fun with it was always my favourite. Not necessarily a clichéd version of fashion.

Is it necessary to be stick thin to look good on camera?
No, it’s about proportion.  Most models are slim, but they’re normal girls.

What do you think about the whole Size 0 debate?
It’s a bit of a misnomer. I’ve never worked with size 0 because they look ill. The problem, I suppose,  comes when you want an up and down figure to show off the clothes on a catwalk. But that’s a very small part of the fashion industry.

But you must admit that images of skinny models puts  pressure on women.
Maybe with younger girls , when, in your youth,  you believe that you have to be a certain way.
Young women have to be educated that nothing is  worth making yourself ill for. You won’t have a better career if you don’t eat.

The media and advertising do tend to present an unattainable image of women, though.
Size 0 is representative of a small facet of the fashion industry, there are commercial models and lifestyle.
The truth is that not many people, even the most beautiful women, can make a career as a fashion model - size 0 or not!

And is re-touching and digital enhancement giving us too many unrealistic images?
It’s not just models that are re-touched for magazines. Everyone is. Even politicians.

How did you feel being in front of the camera?
Because I was busy with each shoot I just got on with it.  I’ll find it hard to watch myself, though.   I’ll just cringe!

Coleen’s  Real Women, Thursdays, 9pm, ITV2

Read Jim's other musings on photography, along with a few tips and tricks.
Jim's Blog
A few insights into photographing last year's Comic Relief
All Weathers
How to take a decent snap come rain or shine
Portraits
You don't just point and shoot a person
Portraits Part 2
Jim shoots Rupert the Bear


 

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