In the realm of fashion photography, Marcel Zuurmond is a force to be reckoned with and one look at his photos tells why. We sat down with the fashion photographer to discuss motifs and his edgy eye for photographic perfection.
Q: Marcel, you are among the best fashion photographers I know, overall, how has 2014 treated you?
A: Thank you very much! 2014 was an excellent year. I’ve been traveling to Brazil, Los Angeles and Paris this year and doing lots of photoshoots to update my portfolio. All in all, I’m really happy with the results. I’ve met some incredible people along the way too!
Q: How would you summarize your photography style?
A: Cool fashion. Excellence is a little more difficult to describe, I try to create sexy and attractive images. I at all times keep it stylish because I have so much respect for my models and girls in general, that is what my parents taught me.
Q: Can you tell me a little about how you started photography? Are you trained in photography or self-taught?
A: I’m self-taught. I bought my first digital camera, a Sony Cybershot, in 2001 for a trip to NYC. When I played it, and uploaded pictures to PBase (no Tumblr, Instagram, or Facebook!), I received tons of comments from all over the world from people who liked my style. We’re talking about cars, trees, pictures of that kind. The reaction motivated me to continue and get better and better. A friend, a wonderful girl, asked if I could take a picture. I did and when I posted it online I received lots of requests from models who wanted to work with me. The rest is history as they say.
Q: What is your typical workday routine?
A: I do not have a typical workday or week routine, but most of my time is spent on pre- and post-production shooting. Gathering the team, discussing ideas, acquisitions, networking, Photoshop editing, accounting. The actual shooting is just a small part of the business.
Q: What magazines have you featured before?
This year I’m not really focused on publications but from a technical standpoint I want to take my photography to the next level. Traveling to Los Angeles was the right thing to do and I’m so glad I took that step and grateful to have met all of these inspiring people. I had the opportunity to update my portfolio and I’m very pleased with the result! The only problem is I’m addicted to the city now; my goal is to move to LA! Along the way this year magazines such as Tattoo Planet, Palmares Paris, Girlys Magazine and Inkstyle Magazine featured my work amongst others and plenty of online magazines shared my work, such as Maxim mag and Social obviously shared one of my favourite series from Nathalia Castellon! I’ve also done some album covers for musicians and shot music videos for metal bands.
Q: What is one thing that you think is inseparable from an artist’s work?
A: I believe the constant push to get better. Trying to find new approaches, new ideas, creative. Thinking outside the box is unquestionably an integral part of an artist’s work.
Q: What is the role of artists (like you) in society?
A: I do not want to exaggerate the role of the photographer in society. For most of society, seeing pictures in magazines, billboards, and advertisements is just a given fact. I do not think photographers can change people’s lives, but if we can enrich them a bit by giving people something to consider, or a smile, or a tear, even if it is just for a moment, I believe it is worth the trouble. You know, we work hours on an image and folks scroll and look at it for 2 seconds. It’s the feeling that you can give someone in 2 seconds that counts.
Q: Do tools like social media enhance your creativity?
A: To be honest, I do not know what my life would be like without Social Media, particularly Instagram. I have so many people finding me on Instagram and messaging me, it is just an excellent platform for business. It also helps me follow trends and follow my own idols. It has absolutely boosted my creativity and going through all these images (for hours!) really motivates me. I’m jealous too ha-ha! There are some incredible photographers out there.
Q: Do you think fashion photography will be even more competitive in 2014?
A: Not later than 2013 or 2012, 2011 and so on. It’s not the same as the 90s (I heard) but when you keep pushing yourself to be better, people will notice you.
Q: How has your photography changed over time?
A: I believe the essence of my photography has at all times been the same and that I like the cinematic and honest feel. I work with different cameras and lenses but my quality is at all times consistent. What has changed is that since the last few years I can create an image precisely how I believe it’s. So no more surprises in the dark room!
Q: When did you decide fashion was your focus?
A: I’ve at all times loved art and have been drawing since I was a child. The first years of photography I did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to do or be. I know I want to be good at it but I do not have a clear direction. But when I saw Emma Summerton’s Anja Rubik series in Vogue Italia June 2008 entitled ‘Gleams’, a new part of my brain opened up and really convinced me that this is what I needed to do with my life. I still consider the series among the best I’ve ever seen, particularly in print. In fact I just looked it up again and that I still love it! Go Emma!
Q: What kind of reaction did you get from your subjects when they saw the picture later?
A: I normally send my pictures digitally so the most reactions are: <3 <3 <3, #todiefor, OMG, Love love love, you are incredible, come back!! J
Q: What theme do you pursue when creating a new work?
A: Usually my themes are about femininity, love, sex, majesty or power. I used it as a starting point and worked with the team from there. I like a powerful appearance.
Q: When did it become a reality for you that you could make a living from your art?
A: It took a while in fact. I want to grow obviously but grow as an artist, not as a businessman. I’d rather have an excellent portfolio and do a job I love and live a frugal life than do something I hate and be stinking rich. Of course, I need to pay my bills and that I love to travel all the time, but following my heart and shooting what I love is my number one precedence.
Q: What’s your favourite photo so far?
J: I like the shot I took of Nathalia Castellon. He came to the studio (Studio 6 DTLA) in LA and I believe it took like 30 minutes and the magic was there. It was an excellent vibe. He told me we would absolutely see one another again and we did, a few months later in Paris. And once more we took some incredible pictures. She’s an excellent model with a bright personality and I believe we’re going to continue to create magic every time we shoot.
Q: Can you describe a real life situation that inspired you?
A: Real life does not really motivate me. The world is pretty messed up you know? All these wars, shootings, riots, Ebola, racism, sexism, domestic violence, it is all messed up. When I opened the paper and saw all the things that happened, it made me mad! But I do not use it in my photography J I use my imagination, music (I listen to everything from R&B ballads to death metal) or old master paintings to get me inspired. And Vogue Italia obviously.
Q: What’s most original about your work?
A: I’m confident enough to think that my work is timeless. I’ve shot a series in 2002 that looked like it could be photographed Yesterday. I have a good understanding of color theory and aesthetics.
Q: What are common misconceptions about what you do?
A: A big misconception people have is that fashion photographers do this job to have sex with models. People thought the shoot was like a party at the Playboy house with naked girls dancing around and folks drinking and having fun and making out. The reality is that it is a tough job with lots of waiting and long hours in front of the computer. And I had more sex before I became a photographer ha-ha!
Q: Have you done any runway photography or would you consider it?
A: I’ve been doing runway photography for Amsterdam International Fashion Week for a few years but I stopped doing it because it got too crowded. Thirty photographers in only a few square feet just is not my thing anymore. This is my style cramp too. I also stopped going to fashion shows and just watching stuff online.
Q: What memorable responses have you had to your work?
A: A girl told me that her schoolmates at all times bullied her about her looks and since of my picture she became confident about herself and her looks and fought back against the jerks who bullied her. She is a happy and powerful woman now. I love it.
Q: What’s the funniest or weirdest thing that happened to you at work?
A: The funniest thing that happened was when I was filming on the subway in Holland when 8 (!) police bids were waiting for me at the next station. I did not know I wasn’t allowed to shoot in the subway. I carry strobes and every kind of stuff, the entire shebang, that’s embarrassing! ha ha! The strangest thing was a summer shoot in downtown Antwerp, Belgium. We had a big mirror with us so the model could check her wardrobe and we left it in a building. After five minutes of shooting, we turned around and the mirror was gone. In broad daylight!
Q: Do you think art should be funded?
A: No. At the end of the day, this is a business and there has to be a healthy P&L. I will feel weak if I need the government to support me. If you cannot live off it, it does not matter at all except get a day job!
Q: Do you have any advice for other photographers looking to make a name for themselves in the industry?
A: Yes! Don’t ever give up. In the last twelve years there have been many times I have just wanted to stop and sell my gear. I wasn’t inspired anymore, I wasn’t working with the right people and that I wasn’t seeing the light. Do not stop. Don’t watch the storm but wait for the rainbow. Other than that I would suggest doing a little help work and learning from other photographers. Do not imitate but be creative. Follow your heart. And keep shooting!!
Q: What is your dream project?
An eight-page Italian Vogue editorial on a political or social theme and a wide range of models, great locations and a dream team would be awesome!
Thank You!
Anytime, thank you very much for your interest in me.
