Sydney Skatepark Shoot: Karine Jackson and Errol Douglas Lead the Way in Sustainable Styling

A recent Sustainable Styling Shoot, supported by Easydry, brought together creativity, sustainability, and the power of female empowerment in a bold and innovative way. Organized by globally acclaimed stylist Karine Jackson, with creative direction from Errol Douglas MBE, the shoot was set against the edgy backdrop of a skate park. This unique setting helped transform the traditionally male-dominated world of skateboarding into a striking visual statement about strong, empowered women.

The shoot’s theme focused on women who can and do, celebrating their strength and rebellious spirit.

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

The Vision and Collaboration

The Sustainable Styling  Shoot was a true collaboration, featuring a talented team including hair by Karine Jackson with creative direction from Errol Douglas and makeup by Margaret Aston. Easydry, a female-owned and run business founded by Anne Butterly, provided essential financial support along with their biodegradable towels and recyclable technical capes. These sustainable products helped the team maintain high standards of styling while staying environmentally conscious—an approach that aligns with Karine Jackson’s passion for sustainability.

Anne Butterly, CEO of Easydry, shared her thoughts on the collaboration:

“As a company dedicated to reducing waste and improving sustainability in the hair and beauty industry, we were thrilled to support Karine on this innovative shoot. Empowering women while keeping our ecological footprint in mind is a core value at Easydry.”

The creative direction, led by Errol Douglas, took full advantage of the skate park’s gritty textures and architecture to produce dynamic, edgy visuals. Elements like wind, graffiti, and paper rolls added layers of depth, perfectly complementing the models’ energy and the overall empowerment theme.

The models, including two sisters and their school friend, brought authenticity to the shoot. Their close bond enhanced the camaraderie and power of the project, underscoring the shoot’s theme of unity and strength.

Some of the stunning photos from this shoot were recently featured in the latest edition of Hairdressers Journal, which many in the industry received at Salon International 2024.

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

Karine Jackson reflected on the success of the project:

“There’s something undeniably badass and spunky about girls who CAN and DO. We chose a skate park as our unique venue, utilising its great textures, surrounding architecture, tree levels, and graffiti to enhance our shots. We played with elements like rails, steps, arches, and a mini half-pipe, combined with mixed-coloured paper rolls on hard surfaces, achieving the edgy aesthetic we aimed for.”

Meet the Photographer: Archie Sartracom

Integral to capturing the essence of the shoot was photographer Archie Sartracom. Archie’s expertise in visual arts brought a distinct flair to the project.  He is a graduate from the National Art School in East Sydney. Archie’s experience spans traditional visual art, studio work, gallery exhibits, film, and television. He has assisted legendary photographers like Annie Leibovitz and the late Richard Bailey, one of Australia’s most celebrated fashion photographers.

Archie has shot for leading Australian fashion brands. As well as weekly and monthly fashion magazines in Sydney and abroad. His commercial clients include government bodies like Tourism Australia. Though born in Manila and raised in Thailand, Archie has spent most of his life in Australia. His images reflect a unique Australian flavour—a blend of natural elements and urban grit, which was perfectly suited for this shoot.

With his keen eye for detail and his ability to capture powerful, raw moments, Archie was able to visually elevate the shoot, portraying the rebellious spirit of the women at the heart of the project. His work ensured that the message of empowerment shone through in every frame.

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

Behind the Scenes:  Sustainable Styling: A Conversation with Karine Jackson

To gain more insight into the creative process and top tips for stylists, we caught up with award-winning stylist Karine Jackson to chat about her recent location shoot, supported by Easydry.

Here’s what she had to share:

Q1: What inspired you to choose skateboarding as the theme for this shoot?

The location choice was driven by the desire to work with natural lighting and create a unique visual backdrop. Initially, I was leaning towards a beach setting, but after collaborating with Archie (our photographer), we felt the skate park offered something even more dynamic. It’s unique textures, colours, and urban vibe perfectly suited the mood we wanted to capture. Plus, with women excelling globally in skateboarding, it felt right to celebrate that empowerment. Shooting outdoors also aligned with our sustainability goals. Less need for electricity meant reduced energy consumption. Which helped keep both the environmental and financial costs down.

Q2: How did the skate park’s environment influence your creative choices in hair and styling?

The environment played a huge role in shaping the Sustainable Styling collection. We leaned into the sustainable ethos of the shoot.  All the clothes were sourced second-hand by our brilliant stylist, Jessica Jade, from vintage stores and other existing sources. For hair, we focused on the natural hair shape and texture, complimented by the soft gentle colours of the clothing. The textures and colours of the skate park provided the perfect contrast, adding a layer of rawness that helped the styling pop. For some shots, we used the blue wall of the changing room as a backdrop which delivered stunning results!

Q3: How did working with Easydry support your sustainability goals for this shoot?

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

Easydry has been my go-to for years, from my salon days to independent styling gigs, so having their support was incredible. Their towels are not only biodegradable but also compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport—perfect for a location shoot like this. We used their capes to protect the models’ outfits and their biodegradable towels to dry hair. And a fun bonus: our makeup artist loved the towels so much she took them home for her compost and even for her pets! It’s great to see the sustainability benefits extending beyond the shoot.

Q4: What are your top tips for stylists who want to create a shoot like this?

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

First off, choosing the right location is key! We were lucky to have the local council on board. They provided parking spots and access to solar-powered stations, which was a huge help as we rented a green room van. But no matter where you’re shooting, preparation is everything. Always have a Plan A, B, and C. As things rarely go exactly as planned. Weather, especially, can be unpredictable. For this Sustainable Styling shoot, we started at 6 am and finished after 7pm. We caught the best natural light at different times of the day, and it paid off with some stunning shots.

Also, surround yourself with like-minded creatives. Our team was amazing, and having a talented creative director like Errol made all the difference.  Errol brought everything together seamlessly. Look after your models, too, and above all, enjoy the process of creating beautiful hair and visuals. And remember: always leave the location as you found it—leave no trace!

Q5: How do you balance the creative vision of a shoot with the practical challenges of working on-site in a location like a skate park?

It’s all about staying flexible! For instance, the wind was something we didn’t anticipate—but instead of seeing it as a problem. We embraced it. It added a lot of movement and energy to the shots, which worked really well with the overall vibe. Another practical challenge was the attention the shoot generated from passersby—it’s important to have a clear brief to keep everyone focused and on track. Despite the hurdles, the unpredictability of a location shoot often adds an extra layer of creativity and spontaneity.

Photo Credit Archie Sartracom

This Sustainable Styling Shoot, led by two of the industry’s most respected names, successfully blended artistic vision with sustainability and empowerment. With stunning photos featured in Hairdressers Journal, the collaboration between Karine Jackson, Errol Douglas, and Easydry exemplifies the future of fashion and styling: a world where creativity and sustainability go hand in hand, and where women are empowered to redefine spaces and standards.

Credits:

• Photographer: Archie Sartracom
• Creative Direction: Errol Douglas MBE
• Hair: Karine Jackson
• Hair Assistant: Tatum Yeo
• Makeup: Margaret Aston
• Styling: Jessica Jade
• Models: Rosanna (@rosanna.pls), Gigi (@gigihubber), Ruby (@rubyljennings)