Two weeks too long – The #ProjectScouted Top 25 get suited up at Phase Five

It’s one of the great pleasures in life to meet like-minded people; people who are as passionate about their goals and desires as you are, people who will support and encourage your dreams even ahead of their own. Everyone at #ProjectScouted has found these people and being in each other’s creative, zealous presence has become a necessity. A two week hiatus seemed incredibly long, but the team were back together on Sunday on Florida Road for the Phase Five shoot featuring the stunning Top 25 girls.

Having shot Phase Four and produced entrancing images, Jessica Lee of Van.Go Photography came back at it to shoot Phase Five this week. (Don’t forget to read about this stunning girl on the blog!) This shoot was in complete contrast to her previous one, as the girls traded their ethereal femininity for suave sophistication. The shoot - titled "Suit and Tie" - took place at the park on Florida Road and as always attracted the attention of the public like moths to a flame because there is no resisting the pull of the Project.

Jessica’s insight behind the theme of the shoot was to portray the Top 25 as strong, independent women in the guise of the 21^st century man of class. Arriving with black skinny jeans and white collared shirts, with the rest of the props and clothing provided, the ladies had their makeup done by the lovely girls of Make-up the College, who have done a tremendous job in bringing the themes alive each week through their artistry.

Shooting in the vicinity of the park across the road from the Spiga D’Oro restaurant; Jessica placed the girls with strong posing and drew out their feisty personalities, which was also channelled through their dramatic makeup and slicked -back hair. The shoot had an urban, metropolitan feel – certainly exuding the sense of being shot in the heart of Durban – whilst remaining intriguingly womanly.

The Project has gained speeding momentum this cycle, with the media being inundated with news of the shoots and the team involved. Having featured in the latest The Umhlanga magazine, #ProjectScouted has Durban abuzz. The recent announcement that the winner of the Project will also receive a full magazine spread in The City magazine, also collaborated by FabMagazines, to the value of R45 000, has lighted the spark of determination in the girls’ eyes. This is going to be a remarkable genesis to one lucky girl’s career.

We love seeing parents and well-wishers at the shoots and even found a few budding parental photographers out to support their daughters while capturing the memories behind-the-scenes. With Just Green our Project DJ keeping the atmosphere pulsing with his mixes, it really was the perfect way for the girls still at school and university to end off their holidays.

One of the biggest highlights in the #ProjectScouted calendar is the fashion show featuring the designs of Shoelaced Clothing by Ryan Francis. We can hardly believe that this phase has arrived and takes place next Saturday at The Factory Cafe with the Top 20 girls – plus the Wildcard! – getting the opportunity to showcase their ramp skills after having honed their photographic abilities. Come meet the faces behind the Project – there is no charge to view the show and we will be celebrating till late!

“There is no good and evil. There is only power and those too weak to seek it.” And #ProjectScouted Cycle 2 has seen that power and separated the weak from the strong.

images used shot by: Dalton Green Photography

#ProjectScouted - Phase Five Brief

Brief by Jessica Lee

Phase 5  Brief- Suit & Tie

Photographer- Van.Go photography

Theme- Suit and Tie

Date- 12^th April (Sunday)

Venue- The Park across from Spiga D’oro on Florida Road

Time- 8am

For phase 5 I have gone with a theme that will challenge the ladies. All girls will be dressed in suit and tie and will get to live in the shoes of a classy man. It’s all portraying the 21^st Century man of class.

Theme and dress code-

All Ladies must wear a pair of Black skinny jeans, a white collared shirt and black heals.

The rest will be provided.

Hair and Makeup-

The hair must be slicked back or tied up in a tight high pony tail.

The makeup must be done to highlight the cheek bones and jaw line just like that of a man. Which means lots of contouring to create a strong jaw line. The ladies can either choose between a dark lip with a nude eye or a nude lip and dark smokey eyes.

The #ProjectScouted Top 35 enchant in Phase Four

The #ProjectScouted crew didn’t mind at all coming out to Phase Four at Mitchell Park on Human Rights Day this past Saturday as Jessica Lee of Van.Go Photography brilliantly executed her “enchanted” concept shoot. The Top 35 ladies were put through their paces in Phase Three last week as they were photographed by Lee Folkard himself on a jumping castle at Fairway on Northlands Pre-Primary, and so were allowed a bit of a respite with this more casual, relaxed shoot in a laid-back setting.

The ladies arrived ready to have their makeup done by the talented graduates of Make-up the College once again; with bold, vibrant eye make-up and nude lips. Jessica’s inspiration behind this shoot was to have the ladies seem as if they were mythical creatures, completely of the earth but seeming as if they are far too beautiful to belong in this world. She aimed at helping the ladies channel their inner beauty and to express every little girl’s fantasy of living in a dream world. And she definitely succeeded, as her images will clearly depict.

With long pieces of fabric creatively draped over the ladies to reveal just enough skin to afford the images a sensual element but more than enough coverage to remain classy and elegant, the ladies were guided with their posing by Iman Sheik – our resident professional model – and Jessica as she bravely shot the girls from a ladder leaned against a tree. Jessica was every bit in her element and remained her mischievous and breezy self throughout the humid morning.

It was a morning of relaxation and socializing with Just Green providing the background score to the shoot, which is always a hit with the girls. Even the families and kids around the park appreciated the music as they were drawn to watch the shoot unfold.

Make sure to subscribe to our videographers’, Robbie Muller and Stefan Rust’s, YouTube channels to see the brilliant behind-the-scenes videos posted from each week’s phase. Speaking about the fun Stefan is having documenting the Project’s evolution, he said, “The Project has opened me up to Durban and has introduced me to so many creative people. It has especially been exciting having the opportunity to experiment with each edit.” These guys, as well as our Project photographers, have done a fantastic job so far of capturing the experience of each phase through their artistic work.

Our ethereal #ProjectScouted beauties will be afforded a two week break before the next shoot to regroup and reflect on their journeys so far as well as to improve their game before they come back for Phase Five. Only 25 of our 35 ladies will go through with the list being revealed within the week. We are in awe of these girls and everyone who has been involved in the Project so far! And this is just the beginning.

Behind-the-scenes images by Lee Folkard Photography

The #ProjectScouted team behind the camera – Jessica Van Goeverden of Van.Go Photography

Edgy, daring, striking; Jessica Van Goeverden of Van.GoPhotography is as suited to being in front of the camera as she is being behind it. You might recognize her as the face behind some of last year’s images as well as the behind the scenes pics and having formed such a bond with the #ProjectScouted team, Jess is back again this year with even more creativity and vision.

1.    What inspired the name Van.Go Photography?

Anyone who has met me or who knows me can say my surname is quite a mouth full so I had to figure a name that would be catchy and to-the-point. “Van.Go” is derived from “Van Goeverden” and it is also a tribute to the great painter Vincent Van Gogh, as I have a very artistic approach to photography.

2.    What do you currently do?

Currently, I have been all over the place. Still in holiday mode, if I am to be honest, but I have been working as a freelance photographer, photographing various events as well as working on my own personal style which is more towards abstract and nude photography.

3.    Having been a part of #ProjectScouted last year as a photographer, what do you love the most about the Project?

Lee Folkard brought together a team of beautifully-minded, creative souls, who are now not just a team, but a family. We have all helped each other grow in each one’s careers as well. #WeDoItForThePeople

                                                                                                                                     

4.    What were some of the best moments during the Project last year for you?

I wouldn’t say I have a favourite moment, but I do feel that there were significant parts of the Project that made it what it is. Ryan Francis, the man behind Shoelaced Clothing got to showcase his very own clothing line in a fashion show and that for me was a proud moment. He has grown so much from then and these are the moments I truly treasure, where hard work and a loving team makes the biggest difference.

5.    How did you discover your passion for photography?

I have definitely not been born with a logical, mathematical mind. My entire life has consisted of doodles and paint, and now I “paint with light”, which is a term photographers use. I knew that photography would be a passion.

6.    What do you love most about photographing people?

When I photograph people, I capture them the way I perceive them. I love that I can create anything I desire from something so simple, using facial and body expression to manipulate the human eye as well as one’s emotions.

7.    Is there anyone that you dream of shooting?

Cara Delevigne, she is badass!

8.    What are some of the images you’ve shot that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of the image I took of my gran last year for an assignment. The image was of her sitting in a vintage chair in her lacy underwear holding a cigarette. Despite her aged skin and “imperfect” body, she was beautiful, absolutely breathtaking.

9.    Any tips for the #ProjectScouted girls that you are going to be shooting?

No bribes accepted... Unless its Lindt chocolate...

10. Are you willing to share any info about the phase you are shooting in the Project?

Wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, would we?

Remember to check out the #ProjectScouted Instagram page, the Project having taken on a life of its own, for the latest info, images and updates. And note that all events and shoots are open to the public free of charge. We can’t wait to see what Jess has planned for the #ProjectScouted girls this year!