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Photographed by Alistair Guy -
Photographed by Jacquetta Wheeler -
Photographed by Jacquetta Wheeler
Jacquetta Wheeler needs no introduction. You’ve seen her incredibly long limbs and enviable cheekbones on every imaginable magazine cover and in countless fashion campaigns and runways — Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Gucci, Prada… But did you know this Brit, who was discovered by Mario Testino as a teen, is as talented behind the camera as she is in front of it? For our Mother’s Day Issue, we spoke to the mother of one, whose photography oeuvre includes a Motherhood series of new mothers with their wee ones (see slideshow above). Here, learn all about Wheeler’s new life where she’s calling (and taking) the shots.
I send my Mum a card. My husband makes me breakfast in bed!
And when I was growing up…
I made my Mum breakfast in bed!
Favorite childhood memory with my mom…
Horse riding through the woods in Kent, where our family home is. We used to ride together a lot.
Best lesson my mother taught me…
Not under any circumstances to be a snob — everyone is equal and deserves the same levels of kindness and manners.
And the lesson I hope to pass on to my son…
Same as above, or another one would be if you want something to happen, be brave enough to pick up the phone, write an email, make that first step to make it happen. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you.
The story behind my Motherhood series…
Back in London, a couple of years ago a friend who knew I like taking photographs asked if I would do a portrait of his pregnant wife, nude. I happily said yes, and though I was a bit nervous and so was she, we were both thrilled with the outcome. There is a certain vulnerability that one captures in a nude portrait of a woman, but a power too. I found it interesting and decided to ask more friends if they’d mind me taking their pictures. One thing led to another and then people started asking me to take portraits of them with their newborns too, which of course is very special. Lots of my friends are having babies so it’s become a bit of a “thing.” And I hope to one day do a book with the work.
My trick for making mothers feel comfortable in front of the camera…
I suppose having been a model myself is a big bonus. I work out how much direction they need. Most people want lots, but some are better finding the positions for themselves. I work that out fairly quickly. I try not to take too long as they are usually exhausted, especially if the baby is very young. Most importantly I try and keep it lighthearted and fun.
My love of photography comes from…
My mother is a photographer, and lent me her camera when we went on safari when I was 12. I fell in love with photography for the first time then. Then when I was 25, I went traveling on my own for three months through Southeast Asia, equipped with not much at all but my diary and my camera. I experimented and learnt a lot by constantly taking photographs throughout my trip. My camera became my best friend, and allowed me to see things I wouldn’t have seen without it.
And the reason I decided to pursue photography after modeling…
I was still living in New York when I got back from my travels and found out about a course at ICA called Personal Projects. At the same time, a great friend, Mazdack Rassi, offered to lend me space at Milk Studios for a few days, so that I could practice my work. I took the opportunity and did a series of portraits of my best friends which I called Inside Out. It was about getting to know my beloved friends more intimately by interviewing them about their backgrounds and taking their pictures at the same time. I was happy with the results and my teacher encouraged me to pursue my work in this field.
My photography influences…
Avedon, Norman Parkinson, Bill Brandt.
My most memorable shoot…
I was in Pushka, in India, documenting the camel fair there. In the distance, on a sandy hill, I saw two beautiful women walking in their saris, the sunlight shining perfectly through their robes. I rushed towards them to take their picture and was halfway there when I realised why none of the other photographers had come close. It was the toilet area for all the campers that had come to sell their camels. I looked down and found myself surrounded by human faeces. I was so obsessed with getting that perfect shot I hadn’t noticed the smell. I was close enough to make do with my zoom lens from there!
The one thing my photographs have in common…
I hope that they all present reality. I’d find it difficult to get a picture of a happy mother, for example, if she wasn’t feeling very happy — in that case I’d rather document her exhaustion. I try to convey the truth in my portraits.
When shooting a subject or moment, I try to find…
A subject to talk about which relaxes both of us. I like to get to know my subject a little before we start. Otherwise I have no idea what I’m trying to capture in the image.
My approach in front of the camera vs. behind the camera…
As a portrait photographer, my job is to convey the personality or the emotion of the person I am photographing. To do that, my more chatty, engaging self comes out. In front, as a fashion model, I’m quieter to begin with while I work out who it is the photographer wants me to be, which in fashion, might not be me at all! It might be someone a bit louder or more shy or more depressed or more happy! As a fashion model it’s my job to work that out and then convey that.