We are not always so lucky as to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the talent behind the camera. The many month long efforts of fashion photographers result in images we admire while flipping through our favourite glossy magazines. We aspire to get our grubby little hands on what they advertise, with thanks to next month’s pay packet. Well, that is what the good ones can do to us anyway and Christian Blanchard does exactly that.

Born and raised in Perth, Christian’s career spans over a decade and has reached amazing heights, however, never drifting too far away from one of his first photographic inspirations – the female form.

“My teenage years were influenced dearly by my admiration of female beauty,” he says.

So it comes as no surprise that his ultimate photographic venture would surround the one and only, Kate Moss. “As cliché as it is, I have always been drawn to her,” he admits.

Though not being able to brag that he has snapped Kate just yet, his portfolio is nothing short of impressive.

Flying all over the world to places such as New York, London, Thailand and visiting every corner of Australia, Christian has been the man behind campaigns for Cotton On, Nobody Denim, 3 Mobile, Ford, L’Oreal, Puma and his latest venture, the ‘Destination First Light’ campaign for Mimco.

“The Mimco campaign was an almost six month long process from the initial concept to publishing,” he says.

“The story is a whimsical take with a well built narrative and a multi-layered character. These three elements required weeks on end dedicated to casting the right talent, searching the country and aboard for the ideal location and visual development of the eight images to support the idea,” he recalls.

While the end result is absolutely stunning and can be seen in Mimco stores and online, Christian says trying to get to the end result, working with the weather was a very difficult challenge.

“Creating a cold overcast shoot over three days in the middle of summer was extremely testing, along with gale-force winds, rain and 30 degree heat; we had the most inconsistent elements to control,” he says.

Trying to handle something as unpredictable as the weather might seem like the more trying side to the gig, however, for Christian it comes down to moral conflicts.

“Working in fashion presents many personal conflicts of interest such as implications my retouched images have on society and specifically on teenage viewers and also endorsing the fur industry through my images,” he says.

If you’re an aspiring photographer, don’t freak out just yet, there is an upside!

“There are many great opportunities to put back into the community and I have managed to shoot an animal liberation campaign and a charity water campaign to raise funds for clean drinking water in African villages – the warm fuzzies do help clear the conscience,” he admits.

Though Christian is extremely critical of his own work, his inspiring vision is one we are proud to call one of our own.

“All artists need to be challenged to find motivation and if I can’t find it from within then I think my mind might has well be dead.”

Random Final Five:

1. What is your favourite thing about Melbourne?

The culture and the way it influences, inspires and consumes my every day living. I love the choice in cuisine, fashion, music, galleries and nightlife. I also find a lot of inspiration from watching Melbourne go by.

2. Apart from your camera, what couldn’t you live without?

My white Honda Spacy scooter. There is no greater way to get around the city than to weave through disgruntled car drivers in peak hour traffic with a cheeky grin on your face and a fresh breeze blowing as you go by.

3. What would your perfect day consist of?

Wake up in my Brooklyn loft to a nostalgic summer’s morning and fly upstate to a tranquil lake where a boat party environment has been set as the theme of a cover shoot for W Magazine with Kate Moss or Tiah Eckhart.

4. How do you define success?

By my last shoot. I fear the day I am happy with my work because I think this is the point in someone’s career where they flat line and begin a downward spiral into complacency.

5. And… if you could photograph anything in the world, who or what would it be?

Without a doubt, Kate Moss. I have forever been drawn to her and more so for her troubled personality than her good looks, the personality behind the skin is something we very rarely see in her photos. I would love to shoot Kate in an environment that acted as a playground for her to release who she truly is.

Words – Aja Denman

Images courtesy Christian Blanchard

Tags: christian blanchard, fashion photography, mimco