Artist Talk: Layla Sailor & Anna White

I recently attended an artist talk from two practitioners, Layla Sailor and Anna White. They gave us a great inside view of how best to get into the photographic industry, in terms of how they got to where they are today. They talked about some great tricks of the trade, ways to be with certain people and who to be cheeky with. One thing that really made me laugh and feel at home with these two were that they told us to be ourselves and to be cheeky when asking for free things. They also mentioned something that has come up a number of different times before, from many different photographers, this is that it isn't always a bad thing for us to do some photographic work for free. They said that sometimes, free work can then lead to more paid work which is something that I have found out myself over the last few years.

Layla also mentioned some really interesting points of reference, especially in the fashion/ fine art area. One of the points she mentioned was that of studio and creative spaces, loft creative and the victoria baths in manchester. One of which gives student discount and both have day rates if I wanted to do a portfolio shoot or anything based in a studio.
She also told me about an interesting concept about a series of redevelopment that is happening for the Diesel clothing brand, called Diesel Reboot. I have heard about this all over the fashion scene at the moment and one of my favourite photographers features in the rebrand. A greatly influential contemporary set of work. She also mentioned about a New York company called "See Me" which is a great platform where creatives can showcase their work and be noticed by the industry. This is a great thing to note because I have plans to move to New York for a year or so after university to practice photography.

Overall, the talk was really influential, I got to learn about interesting ways of doing certain things on the cheap and some other nice ideas and concepts for my future career! Below is a short summary of both of the photographers.

Layla Sailor

Below is a brief overview of Layla and her work from the last few years, taken from her website.

• AFTER COMPLETING A DEGREE IN PHOTOGRAPHY AT MANCHESTER IN 2005, SHE HAS CONTINUED TO COMBINE COMMERCIAL FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY WITH FINE ART & FILMMAKING, RECEIVING AN HONOURABLE MENTION AT THE 2009 & 2013  IPA AWARDS, WAS A FINALIST IN THE 2013 SEE.ME EXPOSURE AWARDS, AND WON THE GRAND PRIZE AT 'ART TAKES PARIS' 2013. SHE HAS EXHIBITED IN NUMEROUS GROUP AND SOLO SHOWS INCLUDING PRINTEMPS PARIS, NOUVEL ORGANON, HARRIS MUSEUM, PRESTON ART GALLERY & 2022NQ. 

• INSPIRED BY CINEMATOGRAPHY AND LITERATURE, SHE CREATES HYPER-REALISTIC, DREAMLIKE WORKS FOCUSING ON COLOUR AND STYLING. SHE IS MAINLY INSPIRED BY RUSSIAN TRADITIONAL CRAFTS, RELIGIOUS ICONOGRAPHY AND POLITICS AND HAS PRODUCED NUMEROUS ARTWORKS IN SUPPORT OF PUSSY RIOT, COLLABORATING WITH PRINT DESIGNER LISA STANNARD.

• HER WORK ALSO INCLUDES LIGHTING DESIGN, ART DIRECTION AND PROP MAKING 

• LAYLA LIVES IN MANCHESTER, AND WORKS BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND LONDON

http://www.laylasailor.com/272881

Anna White

Below is a brief overview of Anna and her work from the last few years, taken from her website.

• Originally from Suffolk, I’m a freelance photographer and facilitator who studied photography and graduated with a Masters in 2010.

• I have completed a Scholarship collaborating with Bolton Museum and University, working with the wider community, creating an archive of work, documenting peoples everyday lives. As well as doing a long term project with elderly LGBT people recording their often hidden lives, as they concealed their true identity when homosexually was illegal. 

• I also carried out workshops with different community groups, including NEETS, young offenders and refugees. In 2006 completed a long term project with the elderly that has been widely exhibited including Tate Britain.

http://www.annawhite.net/