Dixie Dixon, the worldwide trend, way of life, and promoting photographer, is thought for the glamorous photographs she creates for elite manufacturers similar to Disney, Virgin, and Folks journal. She answered our Ten Questions, telling us what gear she will be able to’t do with out, what conjures up her, and why Vaseline is indispensable.
What Are Should-Carry Objects At all times in Your Bag?
Most undoubtedly the Nikon Z 8, Z 9, and Zf cameras. I have been capturing their cameras and lenses since I used to be 12, so I assume you could possibly say that I have been a Nikon Lady my entire profession and now grateful to be a Nikon Ambassador. Love the the Nikkor 85mm f/1.2 lens—favourite portrait lens ever—the bokeh is beautiful! Different must-have lenses: the Nikkor 35mm f/1.2 for huge trend pictures, 105mm Macro f/2.8 for magnificence and jewellery, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8—I’m a chief lens shooter primarily for the cinematic seems to be. However I do all the time carry the Nikkor 14-24mm and the Manfrotto 410 geared pan tilt head, that are nice for capturing structure. And a few randoms I hold in my bag: Advil (gotta hold these complications away on 14-hour shoot days), additional batteries, Profoto remotes and B1X lights for location capturing (which I do a ton of) Tiffen Star Filters for inventive results, and Sandisk reminiscence playing cards.
A battery-operated leaf blower—makes the proper hair fan for on-location shoots—and a silver insulation board from the ironmongery shop—it makes the proper reflector.
What Would Different Photographers Be Shocked To Discover in Your Bag?
Vaseline, I take advantage of it to perform a inventive impact—a film-like look with blurred edges. I apply it to an previous filter or piece of glass in entrance of my lens as a result of it clearly will not come off afterward. It is fairly enjoyable although!
When Do You Shoot in an Automated Mode, and Which Mode?
I just about all the time shoot in Handbook Mode, however each from time to time I’ll throw it in Aperture Precedence if I’m photographing an occasion or one thing fast-moving. I’m form of a management freak, so Handbook provides me the power to dial in all the things. I additionally use the attention autofocus more often than not on the Z 9 and Z 8, and it really works extremely nicely to get loopy sharp photographs proper out of the digital camera. Or, if I’m capturing jewellery, I will change it to pinpoint focus.
What Method Do You Use Most Typically?
I are inclined to shoot by way of moments to seize natural-feeling, unposed pictures, so even when we’re executed with a glance, I will proceed capturing after they loosen up as a result of typically that’s the place the perfect, most genuine photographs are made. I could burn some additional digital information within the course of, however it’s price it. Additionally, when your topic hears the press of your digital camera and your good suggestions, it builds their confidence as you shoot!
If You Had been Beginning, What Would You Do Otherwise? Or What Recommendation Would You Give a Photographer Simply Beginning Out?
I’d say a very powerful side of beginning out as a photographer is to get out of the classroom and get out within the discipline to shoot on a regular basis and help different photographers. Go and create the form of work that you simply’d dream of being employed for! You primarily shoot and present the kind of work that you simply like to shoot, so of us will begin hiring/paying you to shoot precisely that. You’ll have to construct your portfolio capturing free of charge at first, after which when folks ask you to shoot, you begin charging. You may must hold creating private work all through your profession as you evolve to maintain your work recent! It’s a cycle that by no means ends.
What Artwork Books Ought to Each Photographer Personal?
I’m an enormous fan of espresso desk books, and I’ve an enormous assortment! These days, I’m loving the Richard Avedon books in addition to Kristian Schuller, Annie Leibovitz, and Joe McNally, to call a number of! Additionally, I feel a guide tremendous useful for not solely photographers however entrepreneurs is the guide known as Learn how to Win Buddies and Affect Folks by Dale Carnegie, as a result of it teaches methods to work with folks successfully.
Do You Have Any Rituals? Superstitions?
I do really! I all the time should put on a hat to all of my shoots, and it has grow to be form of a ritual. I really really feel extra inventive when I’ve my photographer hat on, as tacky as which may sound. It’s my work uniform primarily, and I began sporting hats on the very starting of my profession.
The place Do You Discover Inspiration for an Picture?
I discover inspiration in all places, however particularly in journey. I feel immersing your self in different cultures and surroundings can push your boundaries creatively. I journey as usually as attainable and arrange shoots in all places I am going, even after the shopper gigs. Additionally, I hold a binder of photographs I discover in magazines that I really like and have these available once I must give you ideas. This helps me discover poses, lighting inspiration, and many others. I even have began utilizing AI to idea concepts, and it’s fairly wonderful to make use of it to pre-plan sophisticated pictures. Inspiration is in all places; you simply should tune into it.
Do You Work With a Crew? If So, How Did You Discover Crew Members? How Did You Know They Had been Proper for the Crew? How Would You Advise Somebody To Go About Constructing Their Personal Crew?
Through the years, I’ve constructed a stable group and am so grateful to them, as we work like a well-oiled machine on set—we almost do not have to talk, and issues get executed as a result of we’re so in sync. I work with my lighting tech, Eric, who’s unimaginable on nearly each shoot, in addition to my wonderful producer, Nancy, who retains all the shoots and me organized—a lot wanted! It took me a very long time to search out my group, however I’d say work with individuals who in the end make you higher, extra inventive, and push you! Work with of us that creatively encourage you and with whom you’re on the identical web page—constructive of us! While you discover these folks, work with them as a lot as attainable. So far as sourcing a group, many of the manufacturing homes or gear rental locations may have an excellent checklist of assistants and crew and often can advocate the perfect folks within the space. I’d begin there.
When You Look Again on Earlier Work, What Are Your Ideas?
I crack up laughing typically at my early work, as I can see the place I used to be studying Photoshop and issues are method over-retouched or the inventive imaginative and prescient was a bit tacky, however I can see the place I used to be making an attempt to go together with it. It’s enjoyable to see the evolution over time. The very best aim you’ll be able to have for your self is simply to be sure to’re higher than you have been yesterday—all the time be studying.
Bio:: Dixie Dixon is a global trend, way of life, and business promoting photographer and movie director based mostly out of Dallas/Fort Value, Texas. She travels worldwide, working with manufacturers starting from Disney to Virgin to Folks journal, and has spent the final decade bringing inventive visions to life for manufacturers, advert companies, trend, and business shoppers. As a Nikon Ambassador of america, she brings a wildly constructive power to set that creates a one-of-a-kind expertise for her shoppers. Dixie’s type embodies an idealistic method to images and movement work with a contact of soulful realism. As a full-service manufacturing firm, her group and he or she often create refreshingly upbeat campaigns for way of life manufacturers, magnificence corporations, and excessive trend promoting campaigns. “I used to be excited to be taught fairly early in my life that if, as Confucius mentioned, you ‘Select a job you’re keen on, and you’ll by no means should work a day in your life.’”
High Ten is a recurring characteristic by which we give notable photographers a listing of questions from which they select their favourite 10 to reply. Solutions could also be edited for size and readability.
All photographs used with permission Dixie Dixon.
