A photographers journey to sustainable fashion - with Elisa Sanvito
After all the good feedback we received regarding the Overshoot Day Editorial (where we highlighted over-consumption and questioned what is truly fashionable) we want to give you the opportunity to get to know one of the artists behind the work. Elisa Sanvito is a slow fashion photographer from Belgium who recently moved to Stockholm. Working with her was a true joy and therefore we would like to introduce her further but also let her share her best tips on how to nail those photos.
Hi Elisa, welcome again we have to say to A Sustainable Closet. You recently shoot the Overshoot Day editorial we launched in July, can you tell us more about the experience and why you decided to join the project?
Yes, so I’ve been following A Sustainable Closet for a while now. I’ve been a big fan of the platform as soon as I discovered it. As a slow fashion photographer, I couldn’t feel more aligned with the vision of the editorial. Using photography to spread awareness of overconsumption is a project I can’t say no to.
The photoshoot itself was really fun. Everyone was clearly enjoying it and working towards the same goal: powerful images to help the planet. Finding the best photo spots in the streets of Södermalm was also exciting. What I found very interesting as well was that even though it was a fashion editorial, there had to be a message behind the photos. This message of overconsumption had to be discrete, which I hope was successful.
You are a photographer that only works with sustainable businesses, can you tell us more about why you decided to do that?
It was a very natural decision for me. As a person with very strong values I wouldn’t be okay with myself working for fast fashion brands or businesses that are negatively affecting the environment or its workers. Of course I cannot be extreme in this mindset. It is mostly about working for brands and entrepreneurs that I believe are moving in the right direction. Right now I work for slow fashion brands and conscious entrepreneurs.
What recommendation would you give to anyone who also only wants to work with sustainability, but find it hard to be financially sustainable?
I would say to build it up slowly. Suddenly quitting to work for your regular clients and only taking on ethical clients might not be financially smart. At the same time it is important to be vocal about who you want to work for: communicate your ideal clients and create portfolio work that can trigger their interest.
For those interested in photography, what are your best tips on how to take a good outfit photo?
Personally I always look at color combinations. Try to match the colors of your outfit with the background. A photo is way more interesting when colors are either very similar (monochrome) or contrasty. A tip is to look up the color wheel and try to find colors in your environment near or very opposite to the colors of you outfit.
Nex to this, nothing beats using a camera with a lens that has a low aperture. An aperture around 2.8 or lower give photos a blurry effect, which puts the focus on your outfit and not out the surroundings. You can also get this effect with the portrait function of an Iphone, but I’m not a big fan of how it turns out to be honest.
Follow Elisa on Instagram and don’t hesitate to reach out to her!