Having contributed to Twin issue IV with a series that captured young women who are fighting for their educational rights, Clare Shilland is back for issue XVII. Over the course of a sunny Saturday afternoon in Notting Hill, Clare shot sisters Lotte and Nancy Andersen, beautifully depicting the love and affection the pair feel for each other, as well as their distinct personalities. As Twin XVII hits the stands, we caught up with Clare to talk fashion, inspiration and capturing something you can’t use words to describe.

Do you consciously try to better the female gaze in fashion photography through your work?

I feel like I have always photographed women and girls in a very natural and strong way, showing them as truthfully as possible. So, I suppose I have.

In creating lookbooks for fashion houses, such as Marni and Aries, do you think of the clothes first?

Yes, it is about the clothes, but also about a particular girl (or boy) who reflects the brand. The casting is super important.  Sofia at Aries and I have a similar taste in girls  – usually ones who look like boys :). The casting is always the most important thing!

© Clare Shilland

Your series have a filmic quality, and seem to build narrative around a character. Have you been working with film recently?

I was always very influenced by movies- so that’s probably why. I’ve been doing a few films recently – I love the one we did for Aries x Vans.

I love the picture of your sister outside McDonalds in Bromley. Do you think of those photographs differently to your commercial work?

Shooting my sister outside McDonalds in Bromley is my favourite photo ever. I hope to bring that beauty to my commercial work, but sometimes it’s hard when you have to please clients.

© Clare Shilland

Who has been your most memorable subject? Why?

I met my husband on a shoot so that’s pretty memorable.

The beauty and rawness and awkwardness and the fact that you never realise quite how beautiful you are when you’re young. Those years make you what you are and I find it fascinating.

Your work appears in several magazines and books. Do you still find it exciting to see your work in print? What do you think the digital shift in publishing means for photography?

Yes, it’s always nice to see in print, especially when it’s something that is really considered and well designed. But the only thing anyone looks at these days is social media… so it’s going to become more and more specialist. Hopefully it will mean less waste and a few really interesting magazines out there.

© Clare Shilland

What are your trying to capture when you take a photograph?

Something I can’t put into words. A strange moment.

Tags: Twin meets Clare Shilland