Here we go!!!!

The day has arrived.

This time last week, I was doing a little dance in my living room after finding out I’d made the final cut in the Samsung NZ Next Top Photographer competition to shoot at NZ Fashion Week.

Now I’m on a plane to Auckland, and feeling nervously ill.

We’ve got a registration meeting this afternoon, so will find out more details of the week, and what’s expected of us, but from what I know so far we’ll be given swing tags giving us access to almost every show throughout the 6 days of Fashion Week, including the more public-focused, Fashion Weekend.

For some of these shows, we’ll be backstage in amongst the models and hair/makeup stations, and the hype, stress and excitement of what’s about to follow. I’m told the atmosphere back there is electric, but also very stressful; so don’t get in anyone’s way!

Most of our time will be spent on the catwalk side of the shows, shooting around the crowds, and in the photographers’ pit. We’ve got 3 images we must submit everyday; runway, people/social, and atmosphere. On top this; we’ll each be assigned an official supporter brand, where we have to convey a ‘brand story’ through photos from the week. Here’s hoping a get a brand that loves giving away goodie bags!

All shows take place at the Viaduct Events Centre, and I’m staying at a place about 2km from here, which is perfect. I’m yet to met this stranger that I’ll be spending the next 7 nights with, but I like him already based on the fact that he was willing to take in a stray like me having only spoken once on the phone, and only connected through a mutual friend/colleague.

I haven’t been as nervous about anything like this for a long time. I’ve somehow got it in my head that everyone is going to be a real life version of the characters in the Mean Girls movie, and I’ll be the awkward smalltown girl wearing clothes that are soooo last year. I’m sure when I met some fellow contestants and other industry folk, all of that will be washed away, but right now, I’m preparing for my little self esteem to get a beating.  But I guess in a way that's why I wanted so much to be here – to be pushed out of my comfort zone, both professionally and creatively. Plus being able to see Fashion Week from the inside, hopefully make some connections in the industry, and add another line to my credentials; Photographer at NZ Fashion Week 2012, is pretty awesome.

So that I make the most out of everything I see and learn over the next week, I thought I’d put it together in a blog, and maybe give a few other smalltown girls a glimpse into Fashion Week, from behind the lens.

See you on the flipside!