LIVING LEGENDS

Jodie Mann’s striking images open the gates to a world where fine art, myths and Highland landscapes collide, finds Morag Bootland

Scottish fashion photographer Jodie Mann's stunning images

For anyone who grew up in Scotland, the tales of fantastical creatures and mythical beasts that roamed the rugged and beautiful landscapes of our homeland are part and parcel of life, to be carried with us and passed on to our children. These myths and legends have proved to be the most alluring of muses for photographer Jodie Mann. Born in Aberdeen, aged ten she moved to Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms, where her passion for photography began to flourish.

Inspired by her mother, who was interested in fashion and make-up, Jodie started experimenting with creative and character make-up. Soon realising that her camera phone wasn’t adequate to capture her creations, Jodie’s father

picked up on her enthusiasm and helped her use his DSLR camera. As time went on Jodie still enjoyed make-up but realised that capturing her creations was becoming just as important as making them.

Starting her photography career straight out of secondary school at the age of 17, Jodie soon became conscious that she needed to find her own style. ‘There came a point when I was looking at my pictures and thinking they were OK, but really just mediocre carbon copies of what had already been done,’ says Jodie. ‘I needed to break away and find my own voice, but I didn’t know how.’

A collaboration with her digital illustrator sister in 2015 brought their skills together. Instead of using other people’s photos as inspiration they drew on their combined love of the Highlands. Incorporating the landscapes, myths, legends, culture and stories of their childhood they created images that opened Jodie up to a whole new world of art.

‘I’ve had my work exhibited in galleries and have even sold a few pieces,’ she says. ‘I still love fashion and beauty, but I’ve taken that darker, storytelling side of my work and merged it with fashion. I always try to maintain the tales and landscapes of Scotland in everything I do. That’s what gives me this unique style.’

‘I needed to break away and find my own voice’

Left: Aberdeen-born Jodie Mann. Right: Photographed and released in honour of artist Gustav Klimt, one hundred years after his death. A mosaic of colour, faces lost in a dream, this is the essence of Klimt.

Opposite: Jodie used her strengths in storytelling and dramatic cinematic imagery to capture the romantic, dark and supernatural work of a group of hairstylists. Above left: Inspired by Icelandic folklore this fashion shoot features designs by Eva Poleschinski. Above right: Behind the scenes on a shoot.