By Nicola Petrides
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Renowned photographer Norbert Schoerner and digital artist Rainer Usselmann, creative director at Happy Finish, have recently collaborated with stylist extraordinaire Charlotte Stockdale and Big Sky set builder Glyn Owen on a beautifully surreal and fantastical fashion story for the launch issue of Head Above Water magazine.

The entire project was blessed with a freedom that rarely accompanies traditional fashion shoots. Charlotte, known for her exquisite talent in re-combining and constructing fashion moments of great poignancy chose on this occasion to pick from a select few student pieces which brought an uncanny sculptural and textural feel to the story. This gave Norbert the rare opportunity to let the story unfold freely without being restricted by commercial ties.

After location scouting in forests near, Glyn brought his acclaimed set-building skills to bear on the woodland environment. The immense birds nest was built from scratch in only one day, while other elements of the story developed during the shooting process itself.

Working in this manner made it possible for the team to fully exploit the inspirational setting which in turn gave the shoot its unique magical feel and set the tone for Rainer's finishing touches, delicate day-for-night grading and color work.