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There is a basic difference between ‘taking pictures’ and ‘being a photographer’. But Palle Hansen stylishly blends beauty, fashion and glamour into a modern exploration of sensuality and classic sex appeal.

Though a world traveler, the UK based Palle Hansen is foremost a 360 degree fashion photographer, who has been continuously pushing the envelope (sometimes beyond the limit) to transform ideas into reality. This is because he dreams, lives, imagines, sees, creates, transgresses, provokes, amazes. For him fashion photography is all about creating excitement, and how much he enjoys his life easily shows in his work.

As a fashion photographer, what is your main focus when undertaking an assignment: the model, the fashion aspect or the technical finesse in the portrait. What would be your approach to the situation and why?
The fashion aspect should always take priority over the model and the technical finesse. When you are undertaking an assignment, it comes with a brief of what the client wants. For instance, if you are independently working on an idea that has to be submitted to a fashion magazine, print or online, the same principle will be implemented. The idea needs to be right for having any chance of success, and that is very often the hard part. When the idea or brief is final, only then can you start thinking about the clothing and model etc. The technical finesse comes while you are doing the actual shoot, and depends very much on what you are trying to achieve, and on where and what you as shooting, as it could give you more or less possibilities depending on the scene.

Do you only shoot fashion? Secondly, what attracts you to it?
Yes, for now I only do fashion shoots. However, I do get lots of offers from various models etc. Since, I am about to open a brand new studio in Central London (www.phstudio.co.uk), I would like for other photographer to take up jobs there. The attraction for shooting fashion is the whole idea of creating something amazing, outstanding, extraordinary, and potentially iconic. The possibilities in the fashion world seems endless, as there is always something exciting and unexpected involved in this industry. Fashion photography is about creating excitement, as well as realizing dreams and aspirations.

How do you approach a fashion photo shoot? Do you have any favorite technique. In your opinion what makes for a successful shoot?
If the shoot is for a client, they make it clear about what they expect to get out of it. I have shot for a few clothing designers, as well as jewelery designers. Their objective is very clear. It is to generate sales, and of course showcase their products. If it is a fashion shoot for my book, then the procedure tends to be different. I usually discuss the ideas with my excellent make-up artist, Anika Chauhan (www.anikachauhan.com). Together, we decide on a theme or idea. Once that is finalized, everything else starts to fall into place. We discuss the other details such as outfits, locations etc. that we would prefer, as well as which models would be fitting as per our specific ideas. A successful shoot can only be achieved with proper planning and an efficient team around you. It is therefore massively important to work with the best people you can find, in terms of the make-up artist, hairstylist, clothing stylist, as well as the best model for the specific shoot. When the shoot is happening, the most important factor is to make the model feel relaxed and special. I do that by indulging in small talk. I make sure I compliment the models for whatever they do. To make the model feel like she is the most beautiful girl in the world gives you much better pictures in general.