FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION: DYLAN PERLOT'S JOURNEY TO A SUCCESSFUL FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER
BY A BOOK OF TEAM
We interviewed renowned photographer DYLAN PERLOT on the journey behind his entrancing visual narratives and captivating fashion photography. Perlot’s work has been published in some of the biggest publications including vogue, harper’s bazaar, marie claire & glamour to name a few. His commercial work is as impressive as his editorial work as the look book collection he shot for designer lever couture showcasing his great talent. It’s with no surprises that his worldwide sucess received the likes of the many celebrities he photographed such as fashion icon daphne guinness, singer julia michaels or the host of drag race france nicky doll. From his early fascination with art and film school education to his current standing as a distinguished fashion photographer, Perlot shares the inspirations and challenges that have shaped his distinctive style. He highlights the importance of collaboration in the world of fashion photography and offers valuable insights for aspiring creatives seeking to carve their niche in the industry. With his passion for storytelling and a keen eye for aesthetics, Dylan Perlot's artistic journey is a testament to the power of unwavering dedication and creative exploration, inviting us all to be inspired by his captivating imagery.
Tell us about your art. How did you get into photography and what inspired you to pursue it professionally?
I’ve always been into art and visuals as a kid. I remember shooting my friends for fun in middle school. I could stare at print ads in stores and in fashion magazines without really knowing what was so attractive about it. Studying in Los Angeles definitely gave me the push and answers to all my questions. Being surrounded by other creatives like me was all I needed.
How would you describe your art? What’s unique about your art?
I like to play with opposites when creating a story. My style is bright & soft mixed with a dark sharp edge to it, which helps it make it more unique.
Where did you learn your craft? Were you self-taught or did you go to any school to study about your craft?
I went to film school which gave me a great knowledge of: composition, lighting, directing, telling a story and producing it. The rest happened by being on set and learning something new on every shoot.
Where do you usually get your inspirations?
I find a lot of inspirations in movies, music videos, magazines & fashion shows. I collect a lot of older and newer fashion magazines to be able to compare fashion & style and see what I can learn from it.
What scares you?
I’m a perfectionist by nature so I never want to disappoint and always want to create the best images that I can by paying attention to every details.
Walk us through your unique process. How do you create from conceptualization to finished product?
I like to start with 1 small idea that could come from life memories, movies I’ve seen or just art I’ve seen and then expand it to make it my own. I would think about all the aspects: photography, storyline, set design, wardrobe, makeup, hair and casting. I usually put full mood boards together that have all those information to gather a team that are vibing with the same ideas.
When we all get to set, this is when the magic all comes together. Every department is collaborating to tell our unique story. There is always things we didn’t plan on or new ideas that come when shooting so we also go with the flow.
I’ll go home with the photos and my last “creative stage” begins: editing. Coloring a photo is my favorite part because it contributes to the story telling. Nothing is complete until all the photos are edited and ready to be sent to a magazine, brand or client.
Do you prefer working alone when you create your art or do you thrive whenever you work with other people?
I thrive when working with people that have the same vision as me and that are not scared to break boundaries and think outside the box.
How important is collaboration for you?
It’s so important! As fashion photographers, we can’t do it all on our own, we need: stylists, models, makeup artists, hairstylists, set designers etc to make an image come to life. Some sets are smaller than others but the collaboration aspect is always the key to a successful shoot.
Are you working on any specific project right now? If yes, can you tell us a little bit about it.
I am working on a few fashion projects that I’m really passionate about, I can’t say much about it as of now, but I am so excited for the world to see them! Storytelling is so important for me when creating a shoot so they’re all going to be very big on that.
Is there a favorite, memorable collaboration/project/work/art from your portfolio that resonates with you a lot? Why?
I loved the look book collection I photographed in 2021 for Ukrainian designer Lever Couture - it is still on top of my website because that’s how much in love with it I am. We shot during a hot day in the Malibu fields with a simple concept but strong wardrobe. Every dresses in that collection was stunning and gave the whole team so much creative energy to shoot that day. It got really good reviews, seen by many important people in the industry and was also featured on Vogue Italia’s website.
How do you market yourself? How do you connect with the people that you want to work with?
Instagram has always worked well for me, more so before than nowadays with their new algorithm. I use it as my quick online portfolio and to connect with designers, talents and other creatives around the world.
When did you decide to turn your passion into your business?
I was fairly young when in my head it all made sense to me that I wanted to be a fashion photographer. It’s a click that happens when you’re like “this is what I want to do for a living - I want to be passionate to wake up everyday”.
What are the challenges that you faced throughout your career so far?
I think sometimes you can hit a “creative block” just like writers when inspirations are not coming as naturally as they usually do. Finding your style is also a challenge to overcome when starting this path.
How did you manage to rise up to these challenges?
I like to watch as many movies as possible, look through old & new fashion magazines, dig through designers couture shows from the past - this all helps me to keep being inspired & overcome those creative blocks. This will also help to find your own style when you start in this industry. Shooting as much as you can and trying different things is a great way to see what you’d really like in fashion photography to focus on and how you can be different from other photographers.
What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned from your career that you think is universally relevant?
If a creative idea feels right, don’t listen to the people that may discourage you, you’re most likely right, so go for it, create and make this idea come visually to life.
Are there any advice that you can provide to any aspiring creative individual who wants to break into the industry and establish themselves as a business?
Shoot as much as you can, research as much as you can, create mood boards as much as you can & collaborate with a person that resonates with your ideas.
If you were a book, what book would you be and why?
Interesting question (haha) - can I be a photography coffee table book? I think I would choose a book with strong visuals to inspire people going through it.