Five must-see photo stories from 2019

As we quickly approach the end of 2019, we take time to reflect on another year of Dazed Beauty. 2019 saw us turn one, as well as launch exciting campaigns that explored wellness, masculinity, and witches. Here, photography editor Saorla Houston looks back over five of her fave original photo stories commissioned from all over the globe. Enjoy! 

ESSEX LADS BY HAZEL GASKIN

For Behind the Masc: Rethinking Masculinity we wanted to showcase different representations of masculinity globally. I wanted to commission a shoot in Essex to explore this idea of ‘glossy, meticulous, and bronzed’ masculine beauty. We shot three guys and then had a surprise last addition when we got Joey Essex involved! The photographer, Hazel Gaskin, contributes to Dazed Beauty regularly and we love her work.

ASCOT BY ROXY LEE

This was the first of our ‘Beauty Spot’ features in 2019. We sent photographer Roxy Lee to Ascot to shoot beauty looks and I loved the shots we got back. 

MAGICK YOUTH BY TILL JANZ

This was our first portfolio project for Dazed Beauty for Witch Week. It was a huge production but it paid off – we had incredible talent involved and the final images are beautiful. I am particularly into the moving image work Till has included in his final edit!

TOKYO BOYS BY MONIKA MOGI

This was a beautiful contribution we had from Monika Mogi featuring boys in Toyko. Our social media editor – Jessica Canje suggested this shoot with Monika. I think it was a vibrant and exciting addition to our Behind the Masc content.

KALARI BY KUBA RYNIEWICZ

I have worked with Kuba Ryniewicz before for the print issue of Dazed, but this was the first time I had commissioned him for Dazed Beauty. We met at the office and he told me about a personal project he would love to shoot in Kerala in India – he wanted to shoot Kalari (also known as kalaripayattu), a 2000-year-old martial arts practice. I commissioned the story as part of Behind the Masc and I think the final images are beautiful!