Photographing Miss World

Adrian Fisk Combines Documentary with Fashion Style Photography to Tell the Story of this Renowned Competition

Each contestant gives filmed interviews on why they want to be Miss World 2014.

Quickly after being appointed the official photographer for Miss World 2014, UK-based Adrian Fisk found that his preconceptions about the competition, with girls ‘parading around in bikinis and wanting world peace’, began to fade away. ‘I wanted to make a series of photographs that questioned the clichés and assumptions that so many have about Miss World,’ he told us.

‘These women are determined, passionate, motivated and bright. They come from a wide range of professions including, engineering, landscape gardening, medicine, law and politics.’

Over four weeks, Adrian saw the entrants dance with extraordinary agility, perform fitness tests and take part in professional sports competitions, and debate against the sharpest young minds in the UK at the Oxford University Union hall, on the topic of the Miss World competition in the 21st century.

Miss South Africa and Miss Australia share breakfast at the Marriott Hotel, the contestants home for 3 of the 4 weeks.

Miss Brazil prepares to debate at the Oxford University Union hall against Oxfords brightest on the concept and role of Miss World in the 21st century.
‘Add to this their vital ‘Beauty with a Purpose‘ charity work making the difference to tens of thousands of lives,’ Adrian said, ‘and you begin to understand how much Miss World has changed from what it once was.’

We found out more about capturing the beauties and brains of this widely adored competition:

The Plus: Did any of the women particularly stand out for you?
Adrian Fisk: It’s fascinating when you have countries like South Sudan which I think is the newest country in the world, and what she represents for not just the youth of her country, but how South Sudan is perceived by the outside world. She is a stunning woman with great presence who is studying child psychology. In my opinion this helps to break tired and old perceptions of what an African country can represent.

Miss Lithuania and Miss Venezuela, Each contestants goes through gruelling fitness tests to see who makes it through to the sports finals

Miss Norway and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Each contestants goes through gruelling fitness tests to see who makes it through to the sports finals

Miss Finland does the long jump, Those at the top of the fitness tests are entered into the sports rounds. Competitors in teams are then pitted against each other.

TP: How long did you spend working on it?
AF: In total it was 25 days without a break, working from morning till night. In short it was extremely hard work, in which over the course of the 4 weeks I took somewhere between 10,000 – 15,000 photographs. By the end I saw girls everywhere, even when I closed my eyes, and that’s not quite as pleasant as it may sound! But the overall experience was very good and I pretty much loved every minute of it.

TP: How did you come to work on competition?
AF: The Miss World organisation liked my work, blending beauty and documentary photography within one body of work; for example, my series on Scarlett Johansson in India and New Delhi fashion week.

TP: Why is the Miss World competition still an important event?
AF: I think the most important thing about the Miss World competition is how it is an inspiration to young people around the world. It helps bring nations together and changes the perception we have about some countries. For all the information we have in our digital world most people are actually stuck with their old perceptions and clichés about what they think certain countries represent.