Gradwatch 2020: Photographer Eloïse Atkins, London Faculty of Vogue
Eloïse Atkins photography is delicate in many ways, but her portraits are very confident. Far from simply taking aesthetically pleasing fashion photographs, she intervenes on cultural and social issues, a theoretical element of her practice that she developed while studying at the London College of Fashion.
For example, her project masQ explored ideas related to masculinity and aimed to remove scars and challenge stereotypes about how black men are often portrayed in society. The idea behind the project was to create “a space for the interpretation of sexuality, diversity, race, culture and gender”, which she turned into a compelling work.
While Atkins feels like she has developed a style – one that shows a skillful use of natural light – she never feels cooped up by making her pictures look a certain way. "I just go with the flow and I've always been like that," she tells CR. "What I like to do is take photos outdoors and find interesting places with interesting people."
Atkins says she is eager to see fashion and beauty photography as a medium for researching race and ethnicity because she grew up with "a type of model" that she never addressed. "As the photo industry is dominated by men, I personally feel that my job as a young mixed photographer is to represent diversity and be the change, even when she is behind a camera."
One idea that Atkins was particularly impressed with came from one of her favorite photographers, Dana Lixenberg: “Style comes mainly from how you perceive your surroundings and translate it into a photographic image. How you relate to and connect with your subject and what to leave in or out of the frame. “The most useful piece of advice she has received about her photography is to go out and take photos as much as possible:“ Anything and everything, expand and develop techniques, try new shooting methods. You can't learn if you don't make mistakes! "
Following this advice was inevitably a challenge with the lockdown. Atkins found the experience extremely difficult, affecting both her mental health ("it was frustrating not being able to go out and do what I love when I consider myself a local Sagittarius") and senior year of college.
Apart from the abrupt end of her studies, which meant neither a proper farewell nor a graduation ceremony, it also disrupted her project last year. It was supposed to be about a trip to Mauritius to film their last major piece, which had been in the works since last November. "I felt like all of my hard work was being ignored and something that I was so passionate about and looked forward to was just gone," she says. However, she used the extra time to develop her skills and add more strings to her bow by experimenting with graphic and web design.
Atkins also plans to return to Mauritius in the future. “It would be one of my dream projects to explore my Mauritian roots as a quiet and moving piece. I want to document the locals and my family members to shed light on the fact that Mauritius is not only a picturesque place with beaches and luxury hotels, but also introduces the struggle of people with hard work and poverty, ”she says.
"I want to shed light on the history of Mauritius and create a merging of emotions through the harsh and harsh lyrics in Séga songs (which came from the slave population of Mauritius and were used as a vehicle to express their joys, sorrows and sorrows, hopes) as well as a festival of self-identification. "
"With Séga as a key element for the project, it ultimately represents Mauritius as the dance and songs that represent an emancipation of the soul and push away the needs and sorrows of life," she adds. "It is sung as a cry to overcome misery while expressing the desire for joy and happiness. I want to visually show how Séga is used to express these emotions and what it is actually known for," added Atkins.
The photographer is currently working on assignments for musicians to shoot album covers and behind-the-scenes material – including a BTS shoot for Joya Mooi's Good Girl music video – and hopes to continue working on projects like this and further develop her documentary photography. Her general goal is to be as free as possible as an artist without being tied to a nine-for-five job, and at the same time to make a difference through visual communication: “I want to explore the world, travel and meet new people . I always want to be inspired to create something. "
eloiseatkins.format.com; @ esc.at