Back To England

September 1, 2010

…and so after just over six hours on a flight from Newark to London Heathrow I arrive in my home country. Surprisingly, the warm air and sunlight beams through the arrival gate greets me and soon I forget about the 30kg suitcase hanging off my fingers and the three pieces of hand luggage clinging to the other – my Victoria’s Secret bag pulled in close (I adore that place!) and my Miu Miu bag half falling open.
I’ll always love England for quite a few things but it’s no longer my scene for what I do as a job, I have fallen in love with America – everything is so inspiring and new and I have felt the last few weeks have been a dream working in NYC. I have been the most productive in one place I have ever been in my life and I put it down to positivity from being where I feel most comfortable. Not only productive but I can safely say I have made some life friends and some wonderful creative contacts who I’m going to miss (for now, anyway!)
I will always love England for it’s picturesque beauty, the memories, the characters, the rather unnecessary change in weather all year round and it’s ability to make me happy and unhappy at the same time. I will always remember my hometown (Tamworth, in the West Midlands) as my childhood – even as a child I wanted to escape and discover, one could say curiosity always got the better of me. I always wanted to run before I could walk – and I knew from very early on I would outgrow the place. It has been the birthplace of me and my career – which will I will always be thankful for, the beauty of the surroundings inspired my early archive – the girls (friends) I would photograph on hazy summer days swinging their hair wildly in the cornfields, the castles we would roam around only paying the entrance fee to photograph all day, the few friends I’d make swim in the leech filled lake (or should I say pond!) across the road from the estate I live on, the 6am phone calls to my friends to arrange a last minute shoot in the snow in fear it would soon melt.. and then there were the crime scenes – the patient models hanging from trees and smothered in fake blood and dirt, arms wrapped in rope and slumped up against walls.
All of this I am extremely thankful for – for the people who have helped me on my journey so far and to England for it’s early inspiration.
Not even an £80 taxi journey from Heathrow to Euston station to catch my train can make me angry today or the fact the driver ignored my conversation, or the girl that constantly made me move out of my seat to walk around the plane and go to the toilet, or leaving my American boyfriend late last night at the airport, or even the beautiful note he left in my moleskin diary to surprise me, (knowing me to well I’d open and sketch and plan in it the minute I got on the plane) or even the teary eyed phone calls to my loved ones before my departure.

Today is the start of preparation – the beginning steps to a brand new life living in New York City.. I have four months here and from then on I don’t know what I’m letting myself in for, god for sure knows it’ll be a challenge, but it’s one I want to be challenged to.

karl Bratby: I so wish i could live the dream as well, if you need anything let me know..... (September 5, 2010 9:03 pm)

Steve Morton: Good luck Lara, I've admired you and your photos for over 5 years now. I have also left UK, I now live in France like you I will miss UK but I'm sure you will enjoy your new life in the States. Take care and have fun Steve (September 3, 2010 6:27 am)

Michael: Enjoy NYC, I'm sure it'll be a great place to establish a career (America does seem to hold photography in higher regard than over here). However, you write above 'the rather unnecessary change in weather all year round' in regards to the weather over here - get ready for NYC winters, 'cause they can be brutal. :) (September 3, 2010 2:48 am)

tori lynn: Reading about your boyfriend leaving you a note in your diary reminds me of my relationship with my boyfriend. He lives in holland, I live in America. So I can definitely relate to that as we do the same thing. leave little messages behind to find and cherish. ^__^ Glad you enjoy the US so much! (September 2, 2010 8:48 pm)

Alicia: Well I wish u the best of luck in nyc. I've been reading about that city a lot from your side lately so it's no surprise you're moving to it. I've got my own dreams as well and I'm working everyday on it to make them come true some day. I've been following u for quite some time and you've grown so much in a couple of years, it's amazing & beautiful to see. Inspiring, & I know a lot of ppl feel that way so I guess you're kind of a role model (: That must be flattering ahhh. Goodluck on ur path.. (September 2, 2010 3:11 pm)

Martyna: because you seem to be normal, clear-minded person. So, it's just a question of time to every person (I mean, People not interested in photography or from deviantart) will know where photographies they know came from. Take care, dear, Martyna Dziekan (September 2, 2010 1:22 pm)

Martyna: I am really happy to read it all. Firstly, I want to say, you are this kind of photographer that everyone knows, even he or she does not exactly realize. It's great to see how you improved and developed as photographer and how good to read you are having such a successes. From taking selfportraits then shots with models, cooperating with designers to starting new, real career. reading your journal, I'm sure you will be satisfied with your work, totally,.. (September 2, 2010 1:20 pm)

shelly: I kinda wondered if you were considering moving to NYC after your first trip. It seemed to have a very profound effect on you. (September 1, 2010 3:31 pm)

Dario Castillo: I have also been a big fan of your artwork in the early ages. I am so glad that you're not forgetting where you're coming from. Once I saw that the visits to New York City were more than a couple, I knew you were hooked! Hahah, I wish you the best of luck. Cheers. (September 1, 2010 8:53 am)

Bonnie Rose: I am so happy for you and your journey and that you have found a place that challenges and motivates you. Best of luck in your planning and all the opportunities that lie a head of you. I've made my way from Hawaii to the mainland, and now planning my own relocation back to England in 2011. Looks like we may just miss eachother, but i hope to be able to meet up sometime. You are such an inspiring individual and how wonderful you found your passion at such a young age. Keep going strong! xx (September 1, 2010 8:47 am)

Samantha: Aw Lara, I have been following your work from the early stages and it is so inspiring to see how you've grown and what you have accomplished in really such a short couple of years. You have been such an inspiration to me as well, and I believe I picked up photography because your work really opened my eyes to another way of creative expression. You are so so gifted, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you and your work! (September 1, 2010 6:50 am)

Shannon Grant: America loves you right back! It would be an honor to have you stay here and lend your creative talent to our crazy country :) (September 1, 2010 6:09 am)

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The past few weeks..

posted in Main, Personal

August 9, 2010

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotion, a roller coaster constantly on highs and dropping to lows before speeding up to the highest point again. I have to admit this ride comes with the job – and during the first few years of any photographers career the majority of the ride will be at the low, waiting on good news to come in, a mixture of wondering when and where your next job is, extreme self critique, late nights frustrated over retouching images and a wanting to always be better at your skill.

I have been traveling non stop this week. I had to return to London to shoot a pitch for a potential ad campaign with a clothing company. My agent phoned me a few days before and luckily it slotted into my schedule – but very tightly. So I’ve been flying to and from London over three days and now running on two hours sleep waiting for my flight to Charlottetown, Canada to shoot for a client. No matter how jet lagged I am and how much I want to throw the towel in right now – I am in love with what I do and no amount of exhaustion could pry me from it.

I am also happy to admit to myself I finally know what I want from life and in the next months I can reveal all. It feels good to know I am finally on the right path and things are going my way. So at the moment I am happy to see where life takes me – and hopefully I’ll continue on the high road for a while!

Here I am enjoying the wonderful British weather. Sorry London – it was good to see you again but NYC wanted me back!! (Photo by Phil Hewitt)

LJ.

Eileen: Your words are inspiring (August 24, 2010 6:44 am)

lamodelamour: just discovered your work on tumblr ! love it. xxx Fashion Art Director (August 24, 2010 2:31 am)

Eduardo: Wish you good luck and courage. Fortune favors the bold and your career proves that! (August 18, 2010 4:06 pm)

Hannah Marie: There are so many naysayers in this world. So many people who only seem to be around when you're down just to remind you of it. I've especially been reminded of my age and told so many times that I'm too young to be successful. But I'm of the opinion that success is measured more by one's will to persevere. People like you, Damon and Nirrimi continue to be an inspiration to me. Thanks for doing what you do and keeping on keeping on! (August 14, 2010 1:10 pm)

Natalia M: very brave of you! You're so ambictious and determined, just keep going. Love your work! (August 9, 2010 4:18 pm)

frank d: I think everyone's been ont his roller coaster me included. You are fortunate to be where you and even more fortunate to know that you are fortunate. That really makes you appreciate everything and boy doesn't it taste so good. Good luck with your plans. (August 9, 2010 3:41 pm)

Andrew: Hope you enjoy all your travels :D (August 9, 2010 7:09 am)

Titus: Hey Lara. Great to see what you've been up to. Things are clearly going well. Look forward to catching up some time! (August 9, 2010 6:54 am)

Lyn: I love how determined you are about your job, I feel the same way about photography too, you're really an inspiration! (August 9, 2010 6:41 am)

Casttro: i love this pic (August 9, 2010 6:34 am)

Chris: Our weather isn't always like this! I'm currently at the low of starting out as a photographer, but it's nice to see that you're getting what you deserve! (August 9, 2010 6:28 am)

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My journey so far..

posted in Main, Personal

August 4, 2010

So I’ve been in NYC for the past five weeks now, time has gone so quickly! I feel like there’s so much more to do here. Things to see, people to meet, shoots to create.. there’s not enough time!

I have completed a fair few shoots in my time here, including a shoot for LUSH magazine in collaboration with photographer Hannah Khymych, a 50′s inspired shoot for Content Mode (by amazing stylist Deborah Ferguson) as well as a number of tests to add to my retouching list! I am also shooting a dark beauty story for Masquerade Magazine on Thursday – I have an amazing team involved so it should turn out great. I also have plans for more personal projects and more editorial tests while I’m out here. I have met so many amazing creative contacts during my time I want to make sure I get to work with them at least twice. I celebrated my twenty first birthday out here out at Juliet’s and partied till the early morning.. here’s some pictoral evidence.

My personal time here has also unfolded nicely – meeting a special new person in my life and friends that are there for me no matter what including the wonderfully amazing Ros (“Ros’ll fix it”) – I love you! I am going to miss you all when I eventually leave but I know for sure I will be back soon. Below is me and my boy James, he’s going to hate me for posting these..

I was also in Florida recently – mainly for a court trial most of you will probably be familiar with. If you want to read up on what happened during the trial please see here: http://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2010/07/27/update-lara-jade-coton-gets-her-day-in-court/ The whole situation is still far from over but it was a step in the right direction.

Florida wasn’t all about trials though – I stayed with the wonderful Kugler family (Brad & Gina and their kids) in Palm Harbour – they are so welcoming and I had a great time with them. I also met a few people during my stay here which ended up folding out into shoots and regular trips to the local drive thru starbucks (which I thought was a fantastic idea since we don’t have them in the UK!). I also went to a Warped Tour over in St Petersburg – great to meet a few familar faces including the talented Mr Gage Young despite the rainstorm that day!

So my trip isn’t over JUST yet. I have to fly back to London on Thursday to shoot a pitch for an ad campaign (can’t disclose details just yet!) and then I fly back to NYC Sunday before jetting off to Charlottetown, Canada to shoot a wedding for a client on Monday. Yes, you could say I’m pretty busy but hey – what is life if it isn’t worth living for?

Rose: It looks like you're having so much fun and getting a lot of work done! So jealous, New York is hopefully in my near future. You're so inspiring, you make it seem like anything's possible. <3. (August 5, 2010 2:29 am)

Diva: Hello, i love your works and i can't wait to see your new work. Btw, happy birthday lara. Hope you're getting success. -diva- (August 5, 2010 12:37 am)

Andrew: So much fun :D Glad everything's going well (August 4, 2010 5:31 pm)

Lily: Glad your journey in the US turned out fantastic! I hope you visit Washington DC one day! (August 4, 2010 4:46 pm)

Sabine Metz: Great! I can see you're having fun by just looking at the pics, but reading your story makes me want to go to NYC asap! (August 4, 2010 1:04 pm)

Anny: wow lara, first of all, u look stunning as ever and I am So jaleous that you're in the Us wah! Well hope u enjoy all these amazing experiences, say hello to hannah! Cant wait for the outcomings. all the best and greetings from germany anny (August 4, 2010 12:57 pm)

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