Internationally renowned and celebrated
American fashion photographer and
G-Technology ambassador Dixie Dixon held a presentation at the Apple Store in Covent
Gardens on Tuesday evening. She gave visitors pro tips on capturing images of perfection
as well as unveiling her story about how she built up her legacy, snapping the likes of
model Arianna Carde and working with major clientele including Virgin.
G-Technology ambassador Dixie Dixon held a presentation at the Apple Store in Covent
Gardens on Tuesday evening. She gave visitors pro tips on capturing images of perfection
as well as unveiling her story about how she built up her legacy, snapping the likes of
model Arianna Carde and working with major clientele including Virgin.
Not only is her portfolio of iconic
images impressive as they cater from fashion to
editorial and advertising, she started from humble beginnings.
editorial and advertising, she started from humble beginnings.
Born in Texas, she was given her first
Nikon Camera, the Nikon FG by her father at the
tender age of 12. From there, it resulted in her being celebrated as an internationally
acclaimed photographer in the fashion world. Dixie spoke of her first big moment
being when her photos were proudly featured as the cover of her college yearbook. It was
evident that she was destined for great things. After receiving that camera, her passion and
style came to fruition from snapping almost anything and everything.
tender age of 12. From there, it resulted in her being celebrated as an internationally
acclaimed photographer in the fashion world. Dixie spoke of her first big moment
being when her photos were proudly featured as the cover of her college yearbook. It was
evident that she was destined for great things. After receiving that camera, her passion and
style came to fruition from snapping almost anything and everything.
Dixie came to London to study alongside
world-class photographers after researching on
the internet; it was there the passion for fashion photography beckoned. She did not
put all of her images online but instead publicly displayed images that would define
her as a bona fide fashion photographer, she advised to “only show the type of work
that you want to shoot” in order to get into the niche. Thus it began. She projected
what she wanted and the rest became history. Dixie stressed the importance of backing
up work as she no longer uses ordinary storage but G-Technology as the devastating
moment of losing work when “People are investing in you to shoot their campaign
or magazine editorial, “They’re putting a lot of money into that day of shooting,
so I'm really anal about backing up, because I never want to lose data again”.
the internet; it was there the passion for fashion photography beckoned. She did not
put all of her images online but instead publicly displayed images that would define
her as a bona fide fashion photographer, she advised to “only show the type of work
that you want to shoot” in order to get into the niche. Thus it began. She projected
what she wanted and the rest became history. Dixie stressed the importance of backing
up work as she no longer uses ordinary storage but G-Technology as the devastating
moment of losing work when “People are investing in you to shoot their campaign
or magazine editorial, “They’re putting a lot of money into that day of shooting,
so I'm really anal about backing up, because I never want to lose data again”.
In every single frame, her idealistic
vision of the world is reflected in it; romance, soul,
colour, life and energy are intertwined through all of her images. Her passion for
photography has landed her projects in Miami to Toronto to Barcelona. This year
she was entitled as one of the sixteen Nikon Ambassadors of America. Dixie
also revealed what equipment she used, it’s always handy to know what photographers
use in their work as you can see how they create their images! Dixie appeared to have a
faithful love for Nikon as her equipment kit can be found here.
colour, life and energy are intertwined through all of her images. Her passion for
photography has landed her projects in Miami to Toronto to Barcelona. This year
she was entitled as one of the sixteen Nikon Ambassadors of America. Dixie
also revealed what equipment she used, it’s always handy to know what photographers
use in their work as you can see how they create their images! Dixie appeared to have a
faithful love for Nikon as her equipment kit can be found here.
Her expert tips on the night included:
1. 1. Creating a vision board
for every shoot you do, to get a feel of what look you are
going for. For example with a romantic shot, think hearts, vibrant splatterings of pinks, reds
and red lips.
going for. For example with a romantic shot, think hearts, vibrant splatterings of pinks, reds
and red lips.
2. 2. It’s always a great idea to
get to know the person before the shoot as they instantly
become more comfortable with you as the shoot progresses. For example, Dixie said she’d
have a stalk of their Facebook. Instagram or Twitter to see what they are like and what they
like. She found out one of her clients liked John Mayer and so put the radio onto his song
and instantly as they walked into the room they felt relaxed and more comfortable to bring
more to the shoot.
become more comfortable with you as the shoot progresses. For example, Dixie said she’d
have a stalk of their Facebook. Instagram or Twitter to see what they are like and what they
like. She found out one of her clients liked John Mayer and so put the radio onto his song
and instantly as they walked into the room they felt relaxed and more comfortable to bring
more to the shoot.
3. 3. To find out what your style of
photography is, just go out there and shoot what you like,
the more you make it personal and all about what your preferences are, your niche will come
to you. Shoot what you LOVE, not what pays the bills. Even if you are tempted to take on any
photography jobs to pay the bills, by sticking to your niche, this will eventually attract the
kind of clients you want and land you all those dream jobs.
the more you make it personal and all about what your preferences are, your niche will come
to you. Shoot what you LOVE, not what pays the bills. Even if you are tempted to take on any
photography jobs to pay the bills, by sticking to your niche, this will eventually attract the
kind of clients you want and land you all those dream jobs.
4. 4. Don’t underestimate the
importance of production value, if you want to become a wedding photographer,
only show wedding photography on your portfolios.
5. 5. You don’t need expensive
equipment when you start out, just start creating images
with what you have, you can use Iphones, Ipads, anything to capture great photos.
with what you have, you can use Iphones, Ipads, anything to capture great photos.
6. Develop your style.
This comes from shooting A LOT. Set up your own shoots that
illustrate your vision and keep building upon that. Inspiration is everywhere.
illustrate your vision and keep building upon that. Inspiration is everywhere.
7 7. Build your team. This includes a
creative team and a business team. You need a group
of creative people to make your shoots happen. Obviously at first, this will not happen but when
your work develops you will meet the right people along the way.
of creative people to make your shoots happen. Obviously at first, this will not happen but when
your work develops you will meet the right people along the way.
8 8. Create a portfolio of your strongest
work. Your body of work should illustrate the unique
way you see the world and show consistency in the way you shoot. That is so clients will
have a better understanding of what kind of images they will end up with when they hire you.
way you see the world and show consistency in the way you shoot. That is so clients will
have a better understanding of what kind of images they will end up with when they hire you.
99. ‘Network yo booty off’. Photography
is all about creating experiences and building a
relationship between the photographer and people. The more you spread the word about
your work, the more people are likely to remember you for your work.
relationship between the photographer and people. The more you spread the word about
your work, the more people are likely to remember you for your work.
An audience member quipped to ask if she could shoot for any publication
what would it be?
Of course, with a beaming smile and a quick answer, Dixie replied “Sports Illustrated”.
It’s plainly clear to see that this is a young woman destined to go far in life armed with
her camera.
Of course, with a beaming smile and a quick answer, Dixie replied “Sports Illustrated”.
It’s plainly clear to see that this is a young woman destined to go far in life armed with
her camera.
Zohra Khan
Click here to
see Dixie Dixon's portfolio.
As published on The Clothes Maiden
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