OC's first-ever magazine OC Annual is out! Join us as we catch up with some of our contributors. First up is the photographer Sean Thomas, whose equestrian editorial "Tally Ho," styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois, features some of London's primmest and prettiest riding in the grassy English countryside. Read up on what he had to say about the shoot and see what went on behind the scenes below!
Sofia Cavallo: What was the process of putting together "Tally Ho"? Did the final images result in what you had originally envisioned?
Sean Thomas: [OC Annual editor Rory Satran] had the British equestrian theme in mind since I had just moved to London. Strangely, I had just seen some paintings by John Frederick Herring so I wanted to replicate that look with my own twist on it. I got what I had envisioned for the most part, but, like every shoot, you adapt to what's happening around you and images always reflect that. I always like a shoot to be free and I like to work with what the subjects bring to the situation.
SC: How did you find the girls featured in the story? Are they models, equestrians, or both?
ST: Julia and I were really hands-on with the casting. We wanted British society girls and/or riders instead of models, so we cast off of Tilly [Standing]'s Facebook page. It was really fun. Every girl was so great to work with.
SC: Where was the story shot?
ST: Surrey, just outside of London.
SC: What was the day like? I hear there were Pimms cups involved...
ST: The weather had been awful leading up to the shoot so we really lucked out with the sun. It was pretty much one of the only beautiful days this summer. We drank Pimms all day and everyone was lying in the sun in between shots.
SC: Shooting with live animals tends to be tricky because they're not easy to direct. Was is chaotic dealing with the horses?
ST: I couldn't believe how well-behaved the horses were. I can't remember their names now, but I loved the white one. He was really cooperative.
SC: Have you photographed animals before?
ST: Yes, but never on this scale. I love photos of animals.
SC: What's the most unpredictable subject you've ever had to shoot?
ST: Janice Dickinson.
SC: The shot of the girl sharing a carrot with the horse is unbelievable! What lead up to it?
ST: It was all spur-of-the-moment. It was late in the day and the horses had been so good so they deserved some carrots. We were changing Emma [Shenkman] and I asked her to go for it before we put a coat on her. After that, the stable hands said that people fed horses like that all the time. I love that shot.
SC: Have you ever ridden a horse before?
ST: Yes, only Western-style though. I'm from Omaha... I like cowboys and indians.
SC: Have you worked with Julia before? What was the best part about working with her?
ST: Although Julia and I are best friends, this was our first shoot together. We had been trying to do something together for a long time so this was so great. Julia is the best.
SC: At what age did you pick up your first camera?
ST: I think i
Sofia Cavallo: What was the process of putting together "Tally Ho"? Did the final images result in what you had originally envisioned?
Sean Thomas: [OC Annual editor Rory Satran] had the British equestrian theme in mind since I had just moved to London. Strangely, I had just seen some paintings by John Frederick Herring so I wanted to replicate that look with my own twist on it. I got what I had envisioned for the most part, but, like every shoot, you adapt to what's happening around you and images always reflect that. I always like a shoot to be free and I like to work with what the subjects bring to the situation.
SC: How did you find the girls featured in the story? Are they models, equestrians, or both?
ST: Julia and I were really hands-on with the casting. We wanted British society girls and/or riders instead of models, so we cast off of Tilly [Standing]'s Facebook page. It was really fun. Every girl was so great to work with.
SC: Where was the story shot?
ST: Surrey, just outside of London.
SC: What was the day like? I hear there were Pimms cups involved...
ST: The weather had been awful leading up to the shoot so we really lucked out with the sun. It was pretty much one of the only beautiful days this summer. We drank Pimms all day and everyone was lying in the sun in between shots.
SC: Shooting with live animals tends to be tricky because they're not easy to direct. Was is chaotic dealing with the horses?
ST: I couldn't believe how well-behaved the horses were. I can't remember their names now, but I loved the white one. He was really cooperative.
SC: Have you photographed animals before?
ST: Yes, but never on this scale. I love photos of animals.
SC: What's the most unpredictable subject you've ever had to shoot?
ST: Janice Dickinson.
SC: The shot of the girl sharing a carrot with the horse is unbelievable! What lead up to it?
ST: It was all spur-of-the-moment. It was late in the day and the horses had been so good so they deserved some carrots. We were changing Emma [Shenkman] and I asked her to go for it before we put a coat on her. After that, the stable hands said that people fed horses like that all the time. I love that shot.
SC: Have you ever ridden a horse before?
ST: Yes, only Western-style though. I'm from Omaha... I like cowboys and indians.
SC: Have you worked with Julia before? What was the best part about working with her?
ST: Although Julia and I are best friends, this was our first shoot together. We had been trying to do something together for a long time so this was so great. Julia is the best.
SC: At what age did you pick up your first camera?
ST: I think i