About Me
My name is Darcey Axon and I’m a graduate from Leeds Arts University.
Hi, I’m Darcey. I’m 20 years old and I have just completed my final year of studying BA (hons) Fashion Photography at Leeds Arts University. I used my final year of study as an opportunity to push myself to work solely in a studio environment, which I feel has now become a key part of my practice.
My work typically aims to explore escapism and the surreal. I enjoy working with lots of colour, be it in the clothing, the set, or the lighting, to help transport the viewer into another world; my final major project allowed me to develop this further.
INSPIRATION
My photography is largely influenced by my love for fantasy and world-building.
Partially inspired by my coastal upbringing and love for (and fear of!) the sea, my final major project focuses on the idea of mutation in sea life; my aim was to merge humankind and life beneath the surface to create a series of ‘mutated’ hybrid characters. The editorial I produced for this is titled ‘Thalassa’ which means ‘the personification of the sea’.
I generally draw a lot of inspiration from contemporary artists and photographers who are a product of the surrealist art movement, alongside the historical movement itself. Inspired by research into a particular historical practitioner earlier in the year, I experimented with studio lighting and adapted certain techniques to suit my own work and photographic style in the hopes of transforming an ordinary studio space into something phantasmic.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Thalassa for Pap Magazine
Eclipse
Eclipse
Woodland Spirits for Dreamingless Magazine
Woodland Spirits for Dreamingless Magazine
Luminary for Féroce Magazine
Luminary for Féroce Magazine
La Forêt des Revês for Contributor Magazine
La Forêt des Revês for Contributor Magazine
La Forêt des Revês for Contributor Magazine
La Forêt des Revês for Contributor Magazine
DETAIL
I tend to plan meticulously before I shoot to ensure I capture and convey my concepts as best I can.
Throughout my final year of University, I focused a lot on planning and organisation; this strengthened my confidence in shooting and therefore my photographic output and I’m really happy with the work I have produced this year. Working in a studio for my final major project was essentially like working with a blank canvas; I really enjoyed creating atmospheric lighting to further reinforce the underwater nature of the project alongside collaborating with a wonderful team of creatives to bring my vision to life. I was successful in achieving one of my goals this year, which was to be published by Pap Magazine, and I’m now looking forward to setting new goals and continuing to learn and grow as I enter the industry post-graduation.
My work is strongly influenced by fantasy and surrealism. I love using photography as a means of escapism and fashion is a brilliant medium because it offers so much creative freedom and potential.
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