Darren ambrose's top tips for entering competitions

If you are thinking about entering any of the numerous industry competitions, you need to ensure your entry is the best you can possibly achieve. Darren Ambrose and partner Jackie own a salon, D&J Ambrose, in Pinner, Middlesex, and have won numerous awards. As well as being a regular on the show and seminar circuit, Darren can often be found judging competitions around the country. He is also acting as mentor to the current winner of Wella Professionals Trend Vision. These are his top tips on creating looks – whether photographic or live – for a competition.

1. Gather Inspiration From EverywhereWhen I am working, there is usually one inspirational theme to the looks I create. Award-winning images have to be driven by something that truly inspires you, otherwise they seem a little flat and lifeless. I’m not precious about where I seek my inspiration from, as what we have around us in everyday life is an inspiration. I would encourage people to look around and expand their minds. I also find it’s the same with music; it creates a mood and can help you get onto a more creative level. Don’t be afraid to explore.
2. Choose Models Wisely Model selection is not a task to be delegated or done at the last minute. The model is a big part of ‘selling’ the image. The face and attitude will rock your picture, so you need to cast and pick your model in the flesh. If they don’t have a book that proves they can bring a picture alive, then don’t be afraid to check that they can move behind the lens. It couldn’t be more important.
3. Plan AheadStart planning early, gather material and ideas and make a mood board and/or sketches of your direction. This will help you evolve it into a winning look. Ensure you do all your prep before the big day, as this will save a huge amount of time.
4. Team PlayingThe team is your biggest investment in time and money and they will help take you to that ultimate experience – winning! You need to ensure they understand exactly what you want out of your picture and remember, if you get it wrong it will cost. The planning will help at this stage and the mood boards you have created will help give your team a common goal and understanding of the image you are trying to achieve.
5. Be FlexibleBeing a creative person can mean that extra ideas bubble to the surface as you go through the shoot. It also helps to have more ideas up your sleeve, because what looks good to the naked eye doesn’t always look good on camera.
6. Post ProductionI am very strict about post-production work and I believe in only enhancing the look you have already created – cleaning up the skin, eyes, natural flaws and stray hairs. Post-production is not where the creativity should take place.