Lauren Plus Camera

Chartres

2012-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

I hadn't been to Chartres since 2008...realizing that made me feel quite old!
Elena and Olivia and I made the relatively short trek out to the famous cathedral and picturesque little town. As you might have heard, this winter in Europe has been particularly unbearable and Chartres was no oasis. But with a combination of hot drinks and scarves over our faces, we made it through.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Austra @ le Maroquinerie in Paris

2012-02-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is more to Austra than Katie Stelmanis, lead singer & founder, but that's who I was able to interview & shoot in December at the intimate venue, le Maroquinerie, which was packed and sold out for the electronica show. "Lose It" might be the catchiest song ever and has perhaps an embarrassing number of plays on my iPod. Now can someone explain why so many goth-electro-pop artists used to be opera singers?

My interview with Katie on Hellow Hellow

Elie Saab Haute Couture SS12

2012-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Every year newspapers air the same eyebrow-raised scoffs over the so-called relevance of haute couture, especially in a world where entire countries (cough, Spain) have gone over 20% unemployment. Yet the shows roll on, and a few select designers: Givenchy, Chanel, Dior, and others continue market breathtaking gowns of impeccable craftsmanship with price tags in the tens of thousands to 40 or so clients every season. Of course, couture isn't just for the princesses and über-wealthy magnates who flock to the shows in Paris--it builds a brand's identity, influences the rest of the fashion world, and helps push sales of lower-priced, more accessible products, such as fragrances or cosmetics.

I was lucky enough to witness the Elie Saab Spring Summer Collection of haute collection. There was nothing particularly shocking, the delicate, lacey details and fairy tale colors we saw at Louis Vuitton and Chanel in the fall (powder blue, mint and chip green, and baby pink) were ever present at Elie Saab. Everything was super feminine, wearable, the red carpet ready. I have three words for this spring: light mint green. It is everywhere.

Tom Vek in Hellow Hellow

2012-02-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I shot & interviewed Tom Vek before his concert at Nouveau Casino. The show was amazing, if you haven't heard Tom Vek's music you must--he spent 6 years working on his latest album. Watch his music video for "A Chore" below. When I met Tom, he explained that he chose to feature his glasses on his self-designed album cover (he studied graphic design) because it took him forever to find the right pair. Since his glasses are Ray-Bans, it makes sense that he would do a video with Ray-Ban, also posted below.

Backstage at wooyoungmi

2012-01-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

wooyoungmi this season was decidedly gentlemanly. The casting was a far cry from the diversity of Damir Doma (not just in race but hair length!) and featured super clean cut models with a bit of aristocratic wave in their hair. Wearable, classic, gentlemanly (there it is again) meets East Coast turtlenecked, sweatered-up elite.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Acne Men's FW12 Collection

2012-01-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

Acne might have been my favorite collection this season (Hermès was a close runner-up, if not tied). Every look was very European, very wearable, but still quite creative, and as explained in the quote I cited yesterday, there was a great mix of textures and fabrics. When I looked over the photos with David on Now Fashion immediately after getting home, (that's how fast they get online these days) there were very few looks that he didn't want. That's always a good sign.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Acne Men's FW 12 Invitation

2012-01-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

The last show of men's fashion week was Acne, a brand I love.
The collection started out very Parisian--all in black with fitted pants and shiny jackets and progressed to include caps, color-blocked outfits, super shiny shoes, and faux-leather pants. I love it when fashion shows cultivate a story--Acne's show started with the invitation:

The inspiration--and invitation--of the show was explained in the handouts the attendees were given:

"We started the Autumn Winter '12 collection with the word 'fake'-- when we were researching fabrics we were bouncing the idea of imitation -- materials that pretend to be something they are not. Fake fur, vinyl, polyester. But that was just a start. At the same time I was juggling with a friend's struggle with relationships. Love is a difficult animal for men--women are so much more comfortable with that emotion, whereas guys carry it around as a physical piece of uncertainty. The kid who has a heart full of love was never the coolest guy at high school but he was the one who was always the most creative. Love and its insecurities became the inspiration for this season's prints. The collection became something of an emotional collage. We worked with clashes of unexpected combinations, both in silhouettes and materials. There's a combination of the traditional with the technical. Harris tweeds are contrasted with furniture vinyl. British mohair contrasts with silk and fake fur. The colours are muted and dark, punctuated by optimistic reds, blues, and clean white, a bit like the relationships of that high school kid." -- Jonny Johansson

more pictures soon!

Check out this video of Jonny Johansson talking about his favorite restaurants, markets, and shops in Stockholm:

(best quote: "It's a good bookstore, the girls are really, really smart there.")

Thierry Mugler FW12

2012-01-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

The first models for Thierry Mugler's FW 2012 men's collection came out strapped into cameras and videocamera apparatuses, which I found rather tongue in cheek, turning the lens onto the press, though I doubt the cameras were actually on. All the models had glitter in their hair, which matched the Milky Way-on-steroids backdrop in the center of the runway. All in all the collection was quite sophisticated. I don't enjoy maroon for fall (or any time of the year, really), but the turquoisey green looks were great--here's hoping the Kooples copy those this year.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Nicola Formichetti at the end.

Moroccan Resto

2012-01-18T14:03:00.000-08:00

An awesome Moroccan restaurant across the street from IMG models, near Opéra. I've only been to one Moroccan restaurant in Paris, in the 17th, and the exterior looked just like this. The interior was similarly gaudy and ornate. Of course, the couscous was incredible too! I adore all the pastries too, but there is soooo much sugar in them I can never eat very many. Everyone should use pistachios this much. But anyway, it made me want to go to Casablanca, long a dream of mine after a teenage obsession with the movie.

Mert & Marcus Part 2: A By No Means Comprehensive Selection of Favorite Images

2012-01-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

This image appeared as part of an editorial in W Magazine in August of 2004. I was still a wee girl of 16, flipping through magazines with my friend Jena for hours and hours and hours. I remember how glossy and fake Guinevere's skin looked in these photos--but in a cool way.

Quintessential filters + colored shadows

These Miu Miu ads are awesome! I love how cinematic they are. In case you didn't realize, that's Kirsten Dunst and Lindsay Lohan.

This was the last issue Carine Roitfeld did before her departure from Vogue was announced...(probably realistically because of this issue)

Gorgeous editorial in Vogue Paris Sept. 2010 with Marion Cotillard

One of my favorite shoots ever in Vogue Paris, this was done for the 90th anniversary issue in September 2010.

Kate Moss in May 2011 for Vogue Paris. Overboard with the color!

M&M have started to shoot more for US Vogue which is awesome. This is Natalia Vodianova and Sam Riley (actor, he was in Control by Anton Corbijn) in the September 2011 issue.

Of course you can't open a magazine now without reading about Elle Fanning. Loving the turqouisey blue shadows.

Mert & Marcus Part 1

2012-01-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of a Mert & Marcus fangirl.
I didn't realize it at the time, but the images in W Magazine that made me fall in love with fashion photography when I was a teenager were theirs.
Through lighting, photoshop magic, and their perfectionism + creativity, they make every picture look otherworldly and beautiful. I also love their use of filters--the different-colored shadows you often see in their images.
Today I bring a selection of behind-the-scenes videos, some showing more of the prolific duo than others, but all giving us a peek into their lighting and working style. My favorite might be the one Ashton Kutcher made on his phone...

Louis Vuitton 2008 Making Of:

Katie Holmes for Miu Miu 2009:

Kate Moss for W Magazine 2010:

Gisele for Vogue Turkey 2011:

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2011:

Annnnd here's a 3-year old video Ashton Kutcher took of Demi doing a shoot with the duo a few years ago for a long-forgotten fragrance.

Books and Batteries

2012-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

I love taking pictures of magazines.
Here are a few I've gotten recently, Love as a present, Industrie for myself, and Dapper Dan from a meeting. After flipping through the latest issue of Love, I'm convinced that Katie Grand might be a genius. I loved the makeup-less shoot in which the models and actresses were "wearing" nothing on their faces but their own tears. Industrie's blog is really cool, but of course the printed page is where it's at. I bought their last issue because it featured Mert & Marcus on the cover (bu-bump bu-bump--that's my heart beating) and this issue features none other than the editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani. Finally we have Dapper Dan, which is all in black and white, printed on very nice, thick paper, and boasts gorgeous men's editorial with interesting interviews (Paolo Roversi, for one).

Anyone else have a magazine obsession?

Roid Rage in Montmartre

2012-01-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

Since we moved to Montmartre I am loving exploring the neighborhood.
There are so many cute stores and cafés, but it's not too touristy (except for a few obvious spots around Anvers). Coquelicot, the little café-boulangerie with a poppy-dappled interior, is becoming one of my favorite spots for a late breakfast or brunch (their bowl of hot chocolate is to die for). Tuxedo has gorgeous clothing for men and women, all nicely arranged into a lovely color palette (last I checked, the women's clothing was all red and royal blue) I'm not showing you any color palette here, as I was shooting with my new Polaroid camera on Impossible Project Silver Shade film.

Best of 2011

2011-12-31T10:57:00.000-08:00

It's 8:06 pm in Paris and I usually bid adieu to the old year by remembering my favorite songs, moments, movies, etc.

Here's a smattering of everything.

January-February. Work, internships, settling in to our place in the 17éme.

March. First fashion week in Paris during my internship at Door Studios.
David models to everyone's endless amusement.

April. Our families visited and we went to the South of France. David discovers and falls in love with quinoa, which we are now obsessed with.

May. Milan, Italy for our anniversary. Can't wait to go back.

Lake Como, home of George Clooney & the set of the music video for Gwen Stefani's "Cool." (We've been over this)

Bolts of Thunder hits Paris.

Music: Jenny & Johnny.

June. My birthday at Ladurée + Space Invader Mania. We see the Raveonettes & Giana Factory but they won't let me take my camera into the show :(

Music: The Raveonettes, Giana Factory.

July. Museums. Model Tests.

August. Seeing old friends.

September. Fashion Week. There's a heat wave, but the photos were worth the sweat and tears.

Music: Active Child, Bag Raiders.

October. I go vegetarian and start eating things like this.
We cheat on Paris and spend an amazing 2 weeks in London.

(roasted onion stuffed with garlic-pecan quinoa with an orange and supposed-to-be-cranberry-but-somebody-failed-at-the-grocery-store-so-we-ended-up-with-nasty-raisins glaze)

(photo by David)

Music: St. Vincent, M83

November. Lovely shoots.

Music: Zola Jesus, Florence + the Machine, Yacht

December. We get settled into our new apartment in Montmartre, where we plan on staying for awhile.
We start going to lots of concerts, interviewing, filming, and shooting bands. Can't post any of it just yet :)

Christmas Roid Rage! (that joke never gets old to me)

Music: Austra, Team Ghost

And for 2012? Expect to see more of this:

(photo by Eddie Sun)

Happy New Year!

View from our apartment

2011-12-28T08:45:00.001-08:00

Shot on my RZ, which is currently sporting a broken lens, in case you couldn't tell. I'm embracing it, until it gets fixed.

Lilly

2011-12-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've ever done a shoot in the 13éme before (though I used to live there), but it was quite pleasant. We were looking for a more industrial-type setting, and the area around Gare d'Austerlitz did not disappoint. As you can see by the bright green background in the first picture, we found a very cool location in the newly opened Cité de la Mode et du Design, where I also attended the Amaya Arzuaga SS12 show this past season. It's a huge structure right on the Seine, and when it lits up at night, you can't miss it.

Model: Lilly @ Angels & Demons
Makeup by Marina Carzeau
Styling by Olivia Igwe
Photography by Lauren Cooper

dots dots dots

2011-12-13T08:52:00.001-08:00

In case you haven't seen any photographs of last season's collections, or indeed, any number of magazine covers, (it seemed that for September it was a requirement that the model wore the exact same Louis Vuitton outfit, ad nauseam) dots are very in this season. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, and other designers all featured dots of varying sizes in their collections. I was excited to shoot over-the-top, dot-themed looks. We shot in the Tuileries and were lucky enough to find spaces in the little mazes with no people in the background, always a feat in Paris.

Styling: Lisa Roth
Makeup: Marie Tritsch
Hair: Rubi Jones
Photography: Lauren Cooper
Model: Vanessa Jobb @ Angels & Demons

Lulu Gainsbourg

2011-11-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Last month I worked on a shoot for Modzik Magazine--we shot Lulu Gainsbourg, Serge's Gainsbourg's son, at the Hotel Westminster in the 2nd. As you can see in the backstage video below, we got to hear Lulu play the piano--he's very good! This was one of the few shoots I've worked on with menswear and as you can see most of the looks were pretty similar--long wool-like coats, Burberry dress slacks, fedoras, ray-ban-type glasses. Here are some photos I took during the shoot:

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Serge Gainsbourg & Bridget Bardot--Bonnie & Clyde

Backstage video, song by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson--Bonnie & Clyde

#revisitingthe00s

2011-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, Kirsten Dunst was in this lovely short film called Wendybird, shot by Ellen Von Unwerth, promoting Erin Fetherston's 2006 collection.

Long before that, she was in this video:

London Calling

2011-11-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

When David and I went to London a few weeks ago, we found some expired Agfa film at Spitalfield Markets. I was super excited to shoot with it and am very happy with the results--the colors turned out really cool. I shot these first two pictures in the neighborhoods at Notting Hill, which were immaculately white, something like a series of compressed White Houses lined up with impeccable shrubbery. My eyes actually hurt from all the white.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

(Photo by David)

We also rode bikes for awhile, which I was kind of terrified to do at first because I'm scared enough riding bikes in Paris and the French drive/ride on the right side of the street. It actually didn't take too long to adjust to riding on the left side.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

In the evenings we went to Camden, where there are several huge markets, lots of street art, tons of shops, and wow-I'm-never-going-back-to-Paris cheap street food.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Covert Subway Photography

2011-11-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

Ever since public transportation and photography existed at the same time, people have been secretly photographing each other on their way to work or play. I've had friends send me pictures or video of hilarious people, mustaches, or musicians on the metro, and I've had friends feel violated by not-so-secret iPhone snaps of them in transit. In Milan last spring I had my camera on my lap and it just seemed like the right moment to get my own covert métro photographs, something I never really do. I'm surprised at how spontaneous these photos turned out. Also I kind of want to do an editorial with styling inspired by this little girl. Who's with me?

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Anyone else have good Covert Subway Pictures?

Familiar Spaces

2011-11-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

While in California this summer, I started taking pictures of familiar things and people from home, in an effort to document places I've lived, worked, and where I've attended school. I didn't get to finish due to camera issues, but here's a few photos of what I have so far.

Tiffany, we've been friends since high school.

David in my backyard

Somehow David ended up in this picture as well...

I never actually went to this Dewar's but I did grow up eating the ice cream and famous "chews" during the holidays. The ice cream parlor is something of an institution in Bakersfield so I had to photograph it.

Midday in Paris

2011-11-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Paul and Joanna (or Paul & Joe, like the clothing brand :) ) asked me to shoot some photos of them touring Paris in September. They were taking a dream trip to Europe from their home in Vancouver--right after their stay in Paris they went to Tuscany. So jealous. Here are some of the shots we got:

Madame Grès

2011-11-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

I wrote a few months ago about the exhibit of Madame Grès's famous dresses that happened in Paris. She was formally trained as a sculptor and treated fabric in much the same way--every garment is meticulously draped by hand. I particularly enjoyed the fashion illustrations from that era.

Scenes from Paris

2011-11-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do with just walk around a neighborhood in Paris, taking pictures of anything I find interesting: architecture, graffiti, people, random objects. I've taken some of my favorite pictures this way; it's very relaxing too.

I've never been to Mariage Frères, but it's fancy & expensive--Blair Waldorf name drops it in Gossip Girl. Annnd that's enough of that.

Inexplicably Asian building in the middle of the 8th.
Actually, it's a museum of interior design as I recall. If someone knows more about this building, say so in the comments.

That, my friends, is chocolate. Commemorating when students threw bricks at the police in the riots of 1968. One of my professors at university was among said brick-throwers and was arrested as well.

Ginormous rugs.

The Wonders of Backcombing

2011-11-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Hair by Rubi Jones
Model: Susannah

Nom Nom Nom

2011-11-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

I can't lie, I kind of--scratch that--love this video.
I have totally been singing this song all day.
My favorite part is where they hold up the bag of thyme as they sing "time..." classe.

Buying a Banksy

2011-10-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

I wish I was buying a Banksy.
Instead, here's a photo of David and I standing in front of one in London.
As you can see, the piece has been protected by glass to prevent it from being vandalized (someone has tried to make their mark on the glass already).
I want to know if they're going to rip the wall off so they can send it to Brangelina or whoever bought it.
Anyone know the practice for this?

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

I have a new tumblr just for my photography!
If you're on tumblr, follow me or add me to your RSS feed.

Julien David SS12

2011-10-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Julien David was the first show I attended during fashion week. I didn't get to go backstage, but I sat about three rows back from the runway. The collection was very feminine, with curvy silhouettes you almost never see in Paris, pink, full-skirted, printed loveliness. It was really nice to see a departure from the usual monochrome, unisex, shapeless shift dress-or-jacket? look that Paris fashion is enamored of. I loved that the teardrop pattern on the garments continued onto the face--this was a fusion of makeup and fashion that I hadn't really seen done before (anyone have any references I'm missing?). Julien, a French designer, lives in Japan and said he was inspired by the strength of the Japanese people in the wake of the earthquake earlier this year. I would never have guessed that from looking at the collection, but that's the beautiful thing about art.

Easy Breezy

2011-10-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

My friend Rubi is doing really cool hair tutorials on her blog. I recently helped her shoot one demonstrating a hand blow dry. Here's an outtake from the series:

ALENA AKHMADULLINA SS12

2011-10-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

I showed up 30 minutes late for Alena Akhmadullina, (wow I just realized I've been saying that backwards this whole time) which in the fashion world means I was 10 minutes early. The show took place in an opulent hall at Le Grand Hotel right near Opéra. The show was very enjoyable, the collection was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, something I can be on board with since I regularly watch the Disney movie (the old, animated one, not one that reeks of Johnny Depp's midlife crisis) and love all things Alice. I loved that the designer embraced, a simple, feminine concept and translated it into very wearable, pretty clothes. She had more in common with Julien David that week than any other designer typically showing in Paris. The messy herringbone braids were adorable as well. I hope that catches on.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Anjelica

2011-10-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

Anjelica @ Angels & Demons
Photography by Lauren Cooper
Styling & Makeup by Olivia Igwe
Location: Un Dimanche à Paris

Chinese Consumers, oh my!

2011-10-20T02:43:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at old Newsweek covers and I found these 2 about the Chinese economy that I thought were graphically interesting. I particularly love the photograph and how she's dwarfed by Louis Vuitton logos...perfect composition.

Backstage at Issey Miyake

2011-10-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

Lauren Plus Camera

Chartres

Austra @ le Maroquinerie in Paris

Elie Saab Haute Couture SS12

Tom Vek in Hellow Hellow

Backstage at wooyoungmi

Acne Men's FW12 Collection

Acne Men's FW 12 Invitation

Thierry Mugler FW12

Moroccan Resto

Mert & Marcus Part 2: A By No Means Comprehensive Selection of Favorite Images

Mert & Marcus Part 1

Books and Batteries

Roid Rage in Montmartre

Best of 2011

View from our apartment

Lilly

dots dots dots

Lulu Gainsbourg

#revisitingthe00s

London Calling

Covert Subway Photography

Familiar Spaces

Midday in Paris

Madame Grès

Scenes from Paris

The Wonders of Backcombing

Nom Nom Nom

Buying a Banksy

Julien David SS12

Easy Breezy

ALENA AKHMADULLINA SS12

Anjelica

Chinese Consumers, oh my!

Backstage at Issey Miyake

Monday Links

Backstage at Vanessa Bruno SS12

Agnès B. SS12

Paul & Joe SS12

Pam Hogg SS12

Dévastée SS12

Lara on Pont Alexandre III

Pont d'Alexandraaaa III

Why Emmanuelle Alt is Quickly Becoming My Favorite Vogue Editor

Ladies Who Lunch

After the Schism

BTS Video: Dark Dreams

Alona en Argentique

Lara en Numérique

Real Blacks

Lara en Argentique

Alona

Film Noir

Madame Grès

Jenny

Un Dimanche à Paris

BTS Video: Dress Like a Princesse

Art History

Torn Apart

Lenka

Do you know where I'm coming from?

I'll be happy for you if you can be happy for me

Up North

First BTS Video!

Blue Eyes

Preview: Jenny

Song from that awesome Garnier Fructis commercial

Sonya en Argentique

Sonya

Sou

Dress like a Princesse: Preview en Argentique

Zack Arias on Creative Live: In Which I Don't Sleep

Spoils! (Stuff Part Two)

Dress like a Princesse

Florence

Photojournalists Killed in Libya

Preview: Harajuki Lovers

Soft Side

Petit Preview

Le fooding