SKAGGS

From designer divas and celebrity stylists to snooty editors and glamazon models, fashion photography in New York City is a notoriously cut-throat business. So what sorts the men from the boys? We straightened our shoulders, sucked in our paunch, and struck our best pose to ask RICK HAYLOR about life in the fashion fast lane, what it’s like backstage at Mercedes-Benz NYC Fashion Week, and how to pull off the perfect pout.

Rick Haylor… the man, the myth, the legend – tell us about yourself!
Well you can start by calling me Grant. Unbeknownst to many that’s my real name…Grant Ricky Haylor but everyone calls me Rick… even my parents! (eds note: Noway!) Seriously! It’s on my passport and birth certificate. I was born in Kent, lived in London and I’ve lived in Soho, NYC for the last 10 years.

How did it all begin?
Well I was born first of all, yes my mother gave birth to me. Just kidding…
The honest truth is that I was very close to becoming a pro golfer. From a young age I loved sports and started playing golf with my Dad (also an avid golfer). I actually ended up doing very well on the junior circuit but broke my wrist playing football (soccer) and had to pack it in. At the same time it was getting very close to Christmas and I needed extra cash to buy gifts. A friend said I could earn money working at a hair salon, sweeping the floor and helping out. Can you imagine?! I went from being sports mad and getting up at the crack of dawn to play football with the lads, to fashion, hair and beauty, it was a whole new world. The Christmas job worked out great and they offered me a position full time.

I moved to London, worked for a year getting paid absolutely nothing, while learning the tricks of the hairstyling trade. That was tough! But from there I worked at Antenna which at the time was a really alternative salon. I fine tuned my skills and went to Vidal Sasson, where I’m proud to say I became the quickest person to achieve the title of Creative Director. I worked on a lot of supermodels and movie stars hair; Christy Turlington, Kate Moss and Tom Cruise. I toured a lot, even doing a sell out hair show at a stadium in Japan. It was a lot of fun but honestly my heart was elsewhere. I was always interested in photography but grew up in an area where wedding photography was all you could do and obviously I didn’t want to do that! I absolutely loved doing the session work and fashion shoots.

Can you give us a brief overview on your professional work history?
Doing hair taught me a lot about photography and while hairdressing I always had my camera with me, just capturing moments. At the time lots of professionals would say to me “Rick, if you want to be good — you’ve gotta bring more to table, master what you’re doing.” I listened to their advice and learnt a lot. I really am fortunate to have worked with some of the best; Helmut Newton, David Bailey, Herb Ritts, Enrique Badulescu, Dave Simms, Mario Sorrenti, Glen Latchford, Perry Ogden. They really inspired me and obviously being behind the scenes I was able to see just how passionate and creative they were.
One day i was showing my pictures to someone on set and Enrique saw them and said “You have to do something with these.” I was really shocked that they thought they were good shots! Somebody else said they heard I was good and wanted to work with me. I’d worked on Amber Valetta and had a really good relationship with her, so asked if she’d do the shoot with me and Lucia Pieroni. Amber’s response was classic — “Sure! Who’s the photographer?” When I told her it was me, she was stunned!
I had to run it by her agent who coincidentally loved the shots he saw. The shoot led to a Frank Magazine cover and a fashion story featuring my shots of Amber. Since then my work’s been featured in American Vogue, W Magazine, i-D Magazine and countless other titles.

As a prominent NYC photographer, you must have some fantastic stories. What’s been your most memorable job to date?
There’ve been so many stories…some of them are so ridiculous you wouldnt believe me. Of course I’m a consummate professional so I really cant kiss and tell…

SKAGGS worked with you on Lovenia, who launched their Spring Collection at last year’s Fashion Week. What’s one of the most interesting things you learnt about us?
I loved straight away, how you went about things. Your sensitivity and sensibility. You have a great mix of giving clients good guidance and making them at ease.

If you could photograph any person - alive or deceased - who would it be?
This is probably the hardest question I’ve ever had to answer! It’s a tough one! It changes from day to day depending what mood I’m in. With such an opportunity the possibilities would be endless. But today right here, right this moment, at this second, at this this time…Marilyn Monroe, Bob Marley, Audrey Hepburn, Sir Bobby Moore, William Randolph Hearst, Stanley Kubrik, “Ahhh! this is so bloody hard!” Julie Christie in the 60s, the Queen with her Corgies…it really could go on and on and on…

Ok ok, we’re going to ask because we can… can you give us tips on looking good in front of the camera?
OK here’s the first tip—if you stand still for long enough, you’ll get bored and start becoming your natural self. It’s true!
I always talk a lot to people, to make them feel part of the process. A lot of people dont know what to do with their mouth. Quick Tip: Fill your cheeks up with wind and blow a big raspberry! Also if you want a good outdoor picture don’t do it at midday. Always try and wait til sun is lower. Best time is 3pm or 9am in terms of sun position.

And what about behind the lens? Any tips on taking a good photo?
Often it’s the smallest things that make a picture great. Just think simple.

Your 5 Favorite Things?
My Wife, Kids and Alfie (my dog)
My ipod
Watching West Ham United Win
Going to work
Going out with friends

Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know…
Well I already told you about my name, so I guess my next biggest secret is that I’m really 6 6″ dark and handsome.