Meet The Photographer :: Blaire Hawes
Blaire Hawes, Self-portrait, 2016
MF: What sparked your interest in photography?
BH: Light, physics, and immortality. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated with light. As I grew up, I became enamored with fashion images in the 90s. Then my family moved to Holland, and I became obsessed with the work of Vermeer and Holbein. I am obsessed with how they used light to paint. I have been chasing the light from those images my entire life.
MF: How has photography transformed you as a human being? What are the key differences you can identify before and after starting photography?
BH: I have always been odd. I know this. I’ve never been great with words, but my imagination has always been vivid and restless. Photography gave me a voice—a way to communicate without speaking. It allows me to translate my inner world into something tangible, something people can see and feel. Before photography, I was trapped inside my own head; now I can share my perspective, my obsessions, and even my emotions in a way that feels authentic and immediate. It’s not just about taking pictures—it’s about revealing who I am, quietly but unmistakably, through light, composition, and vision.
MF: How is your personality reflected in your work?
BH: I grew up in Seattle in the 90s, and I think my sense of style was born there—dark, gritty, and a little raw. I’ve always loved humor and imagination, but I like to balance that with a healthy dose of reality. My work reflects that tension: it’s grounded and serious, yet playful and open to interpretation. I focus on the authentic female gaze, capturing moments that feel real and unfiltered. I take everything seriously, but not too seriously—I like for the work to have layers, where you can feel both the weight and the lightness of life at the same time.
Untitled #1. Moon Valley, AZ 2018 © Blaire Hawes
MF: What are you looking for in a great picture?
BH: That moment when your heart stops and you can’t stop looking. It’s magic—something you feel more than something you can describe. I guess it’s like falling in love; once you’ve felt it, you chase it endlessly. Beyond that, I’m driven to create layers in my work. I want you to feel like you can reach into the frame, touch every texture, every detail, every story hiding in the light and shadow. A great picture should draw you in, hold you, and reveal something new every time you look at it.
MF: If you could have dinner with one of your favorite photographers, who would it be, living or deceased?
BH: Mark Borthwick. I’ve been studying his work since I was 13, especially his shoots for Jil Sander. I love how he used light leaks to make his images imperfect, yet somehow completely compelling. His early 90s work with Stella Tennant is unforgettable—it feels alive in a way that still inspires me today. I’d also love to sit down with Davide Sorrenti. His photography in the 90s captivated me as a kid; it felt raw, honest, and full of energy. Just being able to talk to him about his approach and vision would be incredible.
MF: Who are the top three bands or artists currently on your music playlist?
BH: Guns N’ Roses, Tame Impala, and Kygo. They’re all so different, but each one sparks something in me—raw energy, psychedelic vibes, or just pure escapism.
Untitled #14. Phoenix, AZ, 2026 © Blaire Hawes
MF: Name three of your favorite photography books.
BH:Diane Arbus: Family Album, FASHION by Scalo, and ARCHIVE by Sofia Coppola. Each of them taught me something different—Arbus for intimacy, FASHION for style and storytelling, and ARCHIVE for mood and atmosphere.
MF: What gear do you use?
BH: Canon—everything I use is second-hand or used. I like the feel of older cameras; they have character, and it connects me more to the craft.
MF: What is your post-production process?
BH: It shocks people how little post-processing I do. Usually, I just crop and do slight color grading—that’s it. I want my work to feel true and authentic, to capture the moment as it really was. The less I manipulate, the more the image can speak for itself.
Untitled #7. Phoenix, AZ, 2022 © Blaire Hawes
MF: What do you look for in models, stylists, and creative teams when putting together a shoot?
BH: I look for artists. I want people with a voice, with something to say. When it comes to models, I often choose those with little experience in front of a camera—they’re more authentic, less polished. I want a true story, grit, and real human presence. Mothers, people with full lives outside the lens—I want that honesty. I never pose anyone. I learned the value of this approach photographing autistic people and individuals of different abilities; it taught me to respect each person’s natural presence and let their authenticity shine through.
MF: How do you create an atmosphere on set that brings out the best in your subjects?
BH: Safety. Consent. Honesty. Collaboration. I do nothing alone. My most important job is being a mother, so I show up as the “mom” on set. I encourage subjects to bring their moms or dads, and I always have my own kids with me. I bring food, make sure everyone feels comfortable, and I run everything 100% on consent. The goal is joy. It should feel like fun, not work. When people feel safe and cared for, that’s when the best moments happen—and that’s what I try to capture.
MF: What’s your take on diversity and representation in fashion imagery today?
BH: It needs a lot more work. The industry still runs on the patriarchy of “old white dudes.” I’m frustrated by the constant recycling of the same 5–10 people for opportunities that so many of us would love to have. As a woman in my 40s, I’m often excluded from shows because of age. This needs to change. Representation shouldn’t just be token—it has to be real, inclusive, and expansive, reflecting the diversity of people who are actually living, creating, and inspiring in the world today.
Untitled #13. Phoenix, AZ, 2026 © Blaire Hawes
MF: What’s a shoot or project you’re most proud of, and what made it special?
BH: My series #SIXCLICKS with my daughter, who is autistic. It’s been ongoing for 10 years. Kennedy was diagnosed at age five, and before that, we struggled to understand her needs. One day, during a sensory overload, I instinctively pulled out my camera—and she immediately focused on the shutter. That’s how #SIXCLICKS was born. She allows me to take exactly six frames—no more, no less—and counts them herself. It’s a beautiful collaboration, and it taught me more about patience, presence, and connection than anything else I’ve ever done.
MF: If you could photograph any designer, model, or era in fashion history, who or what would it be—and why?
BH: Esther Cañadas. Her 90s DKNY ads were perfect—raw, effortless, and magnetic. She inspired so many of my own images, and capturing that energy and presence firsthand would be a dream.
MF: How do you define beauty in your work, and what draws you to capture it the way you do?
BH: Honest. Skin. I love real skin. I do very little, if any, retouching on my subjects. I want to show people with scars, tears—everything that makes us human. To me, that is beautiful. It’s the truth of a person that draws me, and the more authentic the moment, the more compelling the image becomes.
MF: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who want to break into fashion or beauty photography?
BH: Go for it! I’m known as the cheerleader of the group—I want everyone to win. But you have to absolutely love this medium, or you won’t be happy. I do this because I am literally obsessed. I don’t chase fame or fortune; I have a drive I can’t control to make images. Stay true to your vision, listen to your intuition, and never waver from it. Just keep creating, keep experimenting, and do it for yourself. I live and breathe this—it’s the only way to really succeed and find fulfillment in this work.
The dialogue captures the precise intentionality behind Beauty & The Gaze, cementing Blaire Hawes as a pivotal voice in contemporary fashion photography. This series remains a definitive exploration of modern elegance and the editorial eye.
