Youth and boys. The best introductory line ever. And “Boys by Girls“, is the best collaborate project ever, too. Founded by Cecilie Harris and India Hobson, two talented photographers with the vision of showcasing their female photographic point of view through their cameras. Object of interest: boys. Just like the “Virgin Suicides”, only that in this case, the protagonist would definitely have to be Trip Fontaine.
“Boys by Girls” – such a simple and direct title. Did you come up with the project idea just as effortlessly?
India and I came up with the Boys by Girls concept, over a coffee at Starbucks. It was an idea that seemed meant to be as soon as we started talking to each other.
What kind of face is ideal for your creative captures?
I tend to be drawn towards, the younger male. I have finally been able to figure out why, but that’s a much longer story that I tend to keep to myself. I like to think that every photographer’s story, is a story to be unfolded through their work, and a reason why people keep coming back to your images. Another thing I’m drawn to in a model is innocence. It’s something that doesn’t last long in our lives, and while it’s there it’s simply magic.
Talk to me about your collaboration with your creative half, India Hobson.
We met a couple of years back and wanted to collaborate on a project together. As a result we created Boys by Girls, which has already grown more than we originally set out to. India has been a bit of a rock as well as a voice of reason and support through this journey. It’s wonderful to be able to bounce off each other with ideas when you have similar passions.
Many of your photographs bring in my mind a bittersweet taste of a lost love I have yet to experience. What kind of emotions do you seek evoking?
I guess one of the things I want to do with my work is to let each image tell a story as much as possible. I work very closely with my models to get them comfortable enough to trust me, and give that extra bit on a shoot. As a result I seem to be able to draw upon their emotions, and create results that let the viewer experience be more impactful. I like to experiment with bringing different feels and emotions to an image; in particular serenity. It’s a way for me personally to find peace in an otherwise very hectic world.
What kind of boys hide the best stories? Has a pretty face ever broken your lens’ heart?
Boys that aren’t scared to “dig a little deeper” and express their emotions tell the best stories in an image. This often comes with experience, but some has this naturally. Some boys are happy to go anywhere you let them go, as long as you help guide them on what you want them to express. I think this is all about how you as a photographer are able to work with your model. I also find it easier to get the most out of a model when I shoot them for a second time. This means that you’re already connected and can much easier express even more. For Boys by Girls in general we really want to share images with soul. This is what inspires me.
Does your project reflect the perplexity of the female mind as far as boys are concerned?
I think it reflects fractions of the female mind. How we view the boys is different to how male photographers view them. So I often find that a lot of our images are softer, have the boy in focus and let the boy tell his own story.
You recently released your latest project, “A Place Called Youth”, a few words?
“A Place Called Youth” was our first newsstand issue distributed globally. The issue is all about the young male of today, and features 24 amazing established models and the best of up and coming boys.