Photographer Snapshots - Mischa Richter

6 Sept

Mischa Richter recounts the day she captured Amy Winehouse for what would become her infamous Back to Black album cover.

As a photographer, being able to both connect to, and relax your subject can be a challenge. Richter has beautifully demonstrated this here, capturing Amy's honest and vulnerable gaze. After arriving 4 hours late to the shoot, a sleepless, partied-out Amy, accompanied by a friend, shot with Richter at a London pub before moving to Richters home.

Throughout the shoot Richter mentions how Amy wanted to have her friend standing by Richter as a reference point to engage with. Eventually Richter got Amy to 'give in' trusting Richter's direction, opening up to her.

Amy sat for Richter in what she called the Black Room. They captured the last image from the shoot, which would first be seen by the world in Back to Black.

Part of being an excellent photographer includes disarming your subject and having them surrender to both the camera and your direction. Richter successfully does this with Amy, who appears relaxed, present, and real, immortalising the soul of Amy Winehouse.

Chelsea Picken

Photographer Snapshots - Mischa Richter

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