Secrets of creating an award winning collection
Winning a British Hairdressing Award can be the pivotal moment in any hairdresser's career.
But before you make it to the stage on the big night you will need to put together a photographic collection that wows the judges in two separate rounds of judging.
Here is past winners and leading hair photographers invaluable advice for putting together a collection that will catch the judges' eyes.
Be true to yourself
"It's all about having the right team around you, even if this means extending your budget. You need to be true to yourself - are you young and funky or glamorous and feminine? Do what you are good at and what you are known for. I always use a team that isn't associated with hair - I use a fashion photographer for example - as they will bring another element to the shoot. Whatever you are shooting you have to really understand the objective is - I always create front cover hair rather than just hair. I want journalists to choose my image for their front cover and that is what I strive for on the shoot day."
Andrew Barton, British Hairdresser of the Year 2006
Showcase the hair
"The models you choose are crucial - the judges can't help but be influenced by the model's face. But the model is only part of it; the photography, make-up and clothes styling all have to work together to create fantastic imagery and you also need to have variety to really show your understanding of hair and how to style and finish well. From a photographic point of view, the lighting is crucial. The images need to have some synergy, so that they obviously look like a collection with the same 'feeling'. Ultimately it is a hairdressing competition, so make sure the final images you choose show off the hair."
Anthony Mascolo, British Hairdresser of the Year 1988, 1990 and 1995, Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year 1986 and 1987, London Hairdresser of the Year 1985 (with Trevor Sorbie) and 1990
Work to your budget
"Find your area of inspiration and brief your team, then work to your budget and stick to it because things can become expensive. If your budget is small then the most important element of the shoot will be you, with the story, a good photographer and model. Prep as much beforehand and log your ideas down on paper. Keep it beautiful, and most of all have a great day."
Darren Ambrose, Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year 2001 and 2007, Eastern Hairdresser of the Year 1995 and Newcomer of the Year 1992
Be forward thinking
"Don't look at last year's winning collections and copy them. Instead look to the future. Go to leading fashion websites such as www.vogue.com or www.style.com and check out the fashions that are coming. Often the fabrics and colours will give you inspiration. You need to be very focussed, have a clear idea of what you want and don't deviate. After the awards the collection can be used to promote the salon and for marketing and pr. A good set of images will work wonders for your business. Involve team members and create a collection that is inspirational and you are proud of."
Jamie Brooks, London Hairdresser of the Year 2002, 2003 and 2006 (with Sally Brooks)
All in the planninng
"Plan, plan and plan some more. Consider carefully what the shoot is for - this being a photographic competition, it is essential that you fully understand the rules and regulations. Always create a mood board - this will not only be the basis for your shoot but a continual reference for all of the team involved. You need to feel comfortable with all those involved as the relationships between you are paramount to the success of the shoot. Also, always know your budget - ensure that all of your finance is in place and all costs are accounted for. Some people may require payment on the day of the shoot. Be prepared for unforeseen eventualities such as models not turning up on the day or transport strikes and always have a few models in mind as back up. Finally, enjoy your shoot! You have worked hard to bring together your creative vision. Think everything through and enjoy seeing it all come together."
Mark Leeson, Eastern Hairdresser of the Year 2004, 2005 and 2006; Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Technician of the Year 2007
A good time to invest
"In this period of economic decline many businesses will be feeling the pinch. It is understandable that entering the hair awards may not be at the top of everyone's agenda this year but if you can afford to do so, this is probably the best time ever to enter the awards."
Martin Evening, hair photographer
Don't rush it
"One of the most important factors is to give yourself enough time to plan; the whole process can be about three to four months from the conceptual idea to the finished result and sound preparations result in a strong photographic shoot. Communication within the team is vital and we always sit down and openly discuss concepts, listening to how each individual interprets these ideas. Visualisation is also key for exceeding the results you hope for. Being able to clearly see every detail of that finished image in your head, and expressing this to the team creates the buzz and excitement that a shoot should be."
Gary Hooker and Michael Young, North Eastern Hairdressers of the Year 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2005, 2006, Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technicia
n of the Year 2006, British Hairdresser of the Year Nominees 2008
Play to your strengths
"Putting together a collection is a time consuming and painstaking process that can be hugely rewarding. You need everyone involved to be at the top of their game - professional, excited and committed because any single part that is lacking can ruin the complete shoot. Concentrate on the hair and do what you do best - if you do great long hair, build your collection around that. The key is to play to your strengths. The right model is essential. No matter how good the hair is, if the girl can't carry the look it won't work. Take your time looking through the images and once you've chosen the images and they have been retouched, get involved with the final pick and the cropping of the images. Cropping is hugely important for HJ's British Hairdressing Awards - you need to make the hair the feature and need to be prepared to crop an image down a great deal to make the hair 'pop'. Remember the judges aren't looking for amazing shoes but amazing hair!"
John Rawson, hair photographer
Fine tune your best ideas
"I produce about six mood boards which have been inspired from everything around me, such as music, architecture, film, the street etc, then I will take the best from these six and put this into one mood board. There must be a level of unity between the photographer and yourself to result in unity of the photos. You must find the right person and stick with them. Planning is the most important part of the preparation for the shoot, to make the right choices; you have to disregard what is wrong."
Errol Douglas, Three times winner of Afro Hairdresser of the Year (2007, 1995 and 1993)
Check the criteria
"Always shoot a collection that fits your brand - for me it needs to be fashionable, wearable and glamorous. The right model is essentail, so cast carefully and find out what they'll let you do with their hair before you book them. Check the guidelines for the category that you want to enter and follow them - if the judges are looking for a commercial shoot then avant-garde hair, however beautiful, isn't going to be a winning collection."
Rae Palmer, 2008 Southern Hairdresser of the Year
- Check out the HJ's British Hairdressing Awards 2008 finalists' collections
- Download your British Hairdressing Awards 09 Entry Form
More advice for compiling your British Hairdressing Awards Collection
