Dutch photographer Dennis Veldman recently released an amazing series called ‘Body Language’ which is getting quite some airplay in the blog-o-sphere right now and I think the reasons are obvious. In a time where over-lit pictures of models in dirty underwear seem to be the fashion standard, Dennis is bringing sexy back, flawlessly.
“High-end fashion is where we come in, or at least try and get our foot between the door. Vogue, i-D, Harpers Bazaar, etc. That’s what I want.”
Dennis Veldman has been busy building up a name in the world of high-end fashion photography for a while now. Body Language is one of his first shoots that went all over the blog-o-sphere. Dennis: “When Lud (Ludwig Geerman, post-processing) came back with the final result and made a surprise print at the photo lab I knew we had something good, but I never expected it to be such a success”.
Dennis is focused on nothing less than the high-end fashion market, a hard place to get in between as a young photographer. “High-end fashion is where we come in, or at least try and get our foot between the door. Vogue, i-D, Harpers Bazaar, etc. That’s what I want. That’s why I’m so happy with ‘Body Language’ and the fact that it has been featured by so many fashion blogs/magazines” Dennis says.
Part of his magic is the amazing team he often works with: Ludwig Geerman and Lisa Schuil. Post processing is done by the talented Ludwig Geerman who spends hours on every image just to give it that extra touch, without blurring the image or losing any other details like often seen. Dennis: “Ludwig cleans the house but keeps everything intact so that it doesn’t become a blurry mess. He keeps everything like it should be without losing any details on the skin.” Ludwig really is the guy who puts the final touch on Dennis’ his work. “What he can make during post-processing, depends on what I give him. If my basics are good, he makes it into something great(er)!”
Lisa Schuil is responsible for styling, make-up and hair, and with her impeccable taste she knows how to give a model the perfect attitude and look for the shoot. “Lisa’s great!”, Dennis continues. “We’ve got the same type of humor and we’re on the same level. I feel very comfortable working with her and because she can do everything by herself, she has total control over the end result.”
Of course the model is a key factor in fashion photography, and it’s almost hard to believe that the model in ‘Body Language’, Chloe Corbeau, had never done a professional photo shoot before. Dennis: “During my first meeting at the agency they showed my set cards from five different models and I immediately knew I wanted her for the shoot.”
“In the week following Lisa and me made our plans and Chloe was totally open for what we wanted to do and did her absolute best. I told her that the shoot wasn’t a first test, but for Vogue, and that she had to imagine being a supermodel.” Just 19 years of age and drop-dead gorgeous, Chloe just walked into a model agency one day and asked if they wanted to work with her. “I like that”, Dennis continues “Without any prejudice or being formed by any other photographers. I rather discover new talent than work with models who already think they’ve made it without really putting effort in it. With a girl like Chloe I can get out what she’s got right away.”
When asking Dennis if ‘Body Language’ could be a breakthrough he remains humble. Dennis “I hope so, I hope so! Let’s say yes. Or maybe. I don’t know. We’re just really looking to bring an international allure to Dutch fashion photography and find our way into the real fashion magazines”