[Un]Discovers: Mark O’Sullivan

Internet is a fantastic medium to link people together. Recently, I have received an email from Mark O'Sullivan. The email is about wishing our group a happy new year and at first, I do have a thought that he might send it to the wrong person; however, later on when I have seen his magazine website and also his photography works, my subconscious just keeps telling me to send an email to ask him for an interview. Finally, I have sent out the request and guess what? The below interview is my reward and I am excited to share this with you.

Hi Mark, so how did you get into photography?
I became interested in Photography after meeting a photographer while in India at waiting for a flight at Calcutta airport, Jan 1998. I remember the chap critising the fashion photo's in the airline magazine, myself thinking Wow what on earth is this Frenchmen going on about ? those photo's look fine to me.

When did it become your career? 
Soon after arriving in Paris the Frenchmen helped me a great deal with his help I soon found myself in the Bois de Boulogne testing young ladies from Metropolitan model agency around mid June 1998.

Wow, I am always hoping I will have a chance to shoot in Paris someday too. Till this date, what is your most memorable shoot in and why? 
My last shoot for Under the influence magazine the Detroit issue with stylist Celine Marioni, it was the first time I had used film in almost two years after finding my old Contaflex Zeiss ikon camera. It was a wonderful sunny day in Clichy, Paris. Amazing location thanks to our casting director Bianca, most of the team was at the shoot including art director Susan Marsh. The Hair dresser Javier Palacio @ airport agency had a brilliant idea for the hair, the models were perfect, real smooth afternoon & everyone was happy with the end result. We decided to use one of the images for the Detroit issue cover which was included in Lebook's end of the year newsleter as one of the best covers for 2009.

I have seen one of the photos from your blog of the Detroit issue and the photos is very nice. As a photographer, a lot of people may have influenced you, so who are your inspirations? 
Family, friends & the Under the influence team

Do you have any new photographers you like recently? 
Rosa Rendal http://rosarendl.com/

I know you also have a magazine too, how did you get on board for this project? 
Easter 2006, I got a call from fashion designer David Szeto he was looking for new photographers, at the time Emma an English Booker working with Marlyn Models agency gave David my contact details. David Szeto was a great inspiration, he started the project we worked together, he's an excellent designer from Canada http://davidszeto.blogspot.com/.

I am glad that the opportunity to work with David has given you the chance to create your magazine. What is the ultimate goal for your magazine? 
to sell, touch people, we hope that the readers find our contributors work interesting

Is there a message you want to spread to the public through the content of your magazine? 
Yes, please read it http://www.undertheinfluencemagazine.com/

Finally, if you can do a shoot with any models you want, who will you want to work with? What kind of theme do you want to do?
Bianca O'Brien or Linda Evangelista.

The next theme is based on The idea of using British youth culture post 1979 originates from our need to celebrate where we come from, the reality of our youth, our history and our past. Our team is based in Paris and are majority British; living abroad changes your perspective and personal identity, we want to look back at our influences, and our British upbringing, which in turn nurtured our style and passion for the visual and creative.
This issue will cast back to the years from 1979 – 1990 – the Thatcher years and 1990 – 1997 – the Major years.

What do we remember of these years? What do they mean today in the next century? How did the 80’s and 90’s shape today’s Britain`?

Key Ideas:

Music will be one of our main focuses this issue, as the music coming out of this generation strongly influenced the fashion and culture of the time.

Punk, Two Tone, post punk, indie, rave.

Fashion – Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, McQueen.

The UK casuals subculture including brands such as Hugo Boss Jeans, Adidas Originals, CP Company, Pringle, Burberry, Lacoste, Brooks Brothers, Polo Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, Armani, etc. (a lot of pastels and polo shirts with designer logos).

Grunge, new romantic, rave styles, Anti-fashion.

Social and Cultural Politics - The miners strikes, poll tax, Falklands, race riots, thugs.

Popular Culture – TV – ‘The young ones’, The Face magazine, squat parties, Raves, the Hacienda, the club scene, ‘madchester’.

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I am sure you are excited to read the new issue of Under The Influence right now, but before that, let's get to know Mark a little more on a more personal level.

Paris or London?
Norwich

Summer or Winter? 
Spring

Coffee or Tea?
Ty-phoo Tea

McDonald's or KFC? 
McDonald's

Classical or Jazz? 
Rock

Film or Digital?
Film

Color or B&W photography?
B&W

Heidi Klum or Kate Moss? 
Linda Evangelista

Wallpaper or GQ?
GQ

Titanic or Avatar?
The Shining

Once again, I feel very fortunate to be able to interview Mark and make sure you spend some time to look at the official website for Under The Influence Magazine. Also, if you want to see more photos that are done by Mark, you can take a look at his blog and his official website.

Photos are courtesy of Mark O'Sullivan