Interview : Cecilie Harris, Editor-in-chief of Boys by Girls

You know it all. I have said it numerous times, fashion photography IS NOT my cup of tea. But again, you know it all. Only fools never change their minds. Mine was pretty easy to change for a reason : boys. My shallow-hearted self couldn't resist to the pictures of cute, good-looking, swagger, classy, mischivious chaps (because there are not enough adjectives to describe all  of them) the photographers of Boys by Girls shot. This magazine dedicated to men, men's fashion and youth created by Cecilie Harris swept so much my mind away that I HAD to write about it. And it was promptly done here. The idea of a photographic magazine about men led by a team of female photographers fascinated me, it is not often, not to say never, that masculinity is shown in such a way. I love femininity but also its alter ego, masculinity.A few time ago I dared ask Cecilie Harris, the editor-in-chief of Boys by Girls an interview to tell us about her magazine, her vision of fashion photography and men. So here is the very first Shoot That Thursday photographer's interview.Name of the magazine : Boys by GirlsFounder and Editor-in-chief : Cecilie HarrisSite : www.boysbygirls.co.uk Facebook : Boys by GirlsTwitter : Boys by Girls

1. Tell us about yourself.I'm a portraiture and fashion photographer. Originally Norwegian, but I am currently based in London. I like chocolate and taking pretty pictures.2. How did you get into photography ?It's something I have always done. My uncle is a photographer, so it's something we do in our family.3. What is your vision of fashion photography nowadays ?I am focusing a lot of menswear fashion at the moment, which is really booming, so it's a really exciting time.4. Why did you create Boys by Girls ?The first issue was a book that me and my friend India Hobson wanted to do together. Once we had done the first one, the project started to get its own life and it developed from there.5. On the site it is said that "at the moment [you] have a fascination with the male and male fashion, and tends to shoot that because it makes [you] happy."But what actually interest you so much about male and male fashion compared to female and female fashion ? Is that because you felt in this field males are underrated ?I find male fashion more of an interesting challenge, as you have less elements to work with. This means you have to create something beautiful with less, and you need to get more creative to get an interesting results. This makes casting really interesting, and finding models that are connected with what you are trying to shoot and will give you something interesting. I also love a male model's approach to being in front of the camera, which is often very relaxed. 6. Some of your shootings are made in the models home and some not. When shooting in their environment do you have some preparations beforehand or do you shoot more spontaneously ?I always have an overall plan, but leave lots of space open to be creative. When shooting at someone's personal space I never know what to expect, so it's hard to plan to much. But that's what makes it exciting and you get results you might never have imagined.7. You work with a team of female photographers, on which basis do you choose them ?I look for passion, quality of work and a vision that speaks to me.8. As a female photographer, in what your vision of male fashion differs from the one of a male photographer ? According to you in which way your pictures differs from the one of a male photographer ?I think often a female photographer has a softer approach to capturing the male, our eyes see the male differently, so a lot of the time the captures will reflect this.9. As for the writing part are all the photographers also write about the models they shot or do you have a team of writers ?No, very few of the photographers are also writers. Some are and then they are free to do that, otherwise I have a great team behind the scenes that do a lot of the writing.

10. When you created Boys by Girls, did you already have in mind to make it a print magazine ? What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to make the leap from digital to print ?No I never thought it would turn into a print magazine, but I'm very happy it has! Sometimes things happen that you didn't expect, and it starts creating its own road to go down. Leaping from digital to print, you need a clear vision, be able to offer something that isn't in the marketplace already and you need money to print.I really hope you enjoyed this interview since I was really excited about it. I have never interviewed a photographer nor an editor-in-chief on top of that ! So you could imagine my joy when Cecilie kindly accepted my request ! I hope her answers and the aesthetic she created through Boys by Girls has opened up your mind about fashion photography and men's fashion. 

As usual I am all ears (eyes sorry!)  waiting to read your thoughts about Boys by Girls and Cecilie's photographic vision, so don't hesitate to let a comment below !