Behind the lens
Antonella Muscat, 67, qualified as a physiotherapist in 1989 and read for a postgraduate degree in Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Malta in 2002. She moved to the UK in 2006 and launched Antonella Muscat Photography in 2009.
What is, for you, the essence of beauty?
For me, beauty is a state of being – it’s a sense of confidence and inner peace that is visible from the outside.
When choosing models to feature in your shoots, what qualities do you look for?
For my shoots, I don’t just go for pretty faces – I also want models with personality and confidence. I cannot go far working with people with little character – it’s all about understanding the models, having a peek into their inner soul and using that knowledge to get the best out of the person you are photographing.
Do you scout for models yourself?
I look for models myself, using websites such as ModelMayhem.com and StarNow.co.uk. I also receive a lot of e-mails from prospective models.
How do you encourage models to reveal all their beauty?
I like to choose people who are comfortable working with me and who are happy to talk and joke during the shoot. I do my utmost to make them feel the most important people in the shoot, which they are, of course.
The first part of the shoot is just warming up – some people take a bit longer to feel comfortable. But that’s fine – I never look at my watch when shooting.
Does female beauty photograph differently from male beauty?
Not to me. In my eyes, a beautiful person is someone who is confident and peaceful. It doesn’t matter whether their features are rugged or angular and whether they look androgynous or fit into the classical description of beauty.
How do you choose a location which best brings out a model’s beauty?
Locations have to complement beauty but must not fight it. Wherever I go, I’m always scouting for locations and use my smartphone to record images and take notes for reference. There are also logistical issues such as distances, as I need to keep costs in check.
What roles do the stylist, make-up artist and hair stylist play?
They are my team and I am a team player. I need to have a team that consists of nice people who I can spend the day with. They need to be creative, understand my brief, and work under pressure.
I always meet up with my team over a coffee before we start planning, as I need to understand what their thought processes are and how professional they are.
Then we start a long process that moves from an original idea to something that we all develop and own, in different ways.
What about clothes and accessories?
If we are shooting fashion, then the clothes are the star of the show and that is what needs to be obvious to the viewer. If I’m shooting portraiture then I discuss with the client what they can and cannot wear and often give them guidance as to what looks good on camera. For beauty work, it is about the make-up and accessories, but again, any clothing needs to be carefully considered to complement the look and not go against it.
To view more of Antonella Muscat’s portfolio, visit www.antonellamuscatphotography.co.uk and www.antonellamuscat.co.uk