BEHIND THE SCENES WITH MAYE MUSK + SACHIN & BABI

Going back to the archives today and re-visiting this shoot with the wonderful Maye Musk!
Maye and I had a chat earlier today via my Instagram live series ‘Creative Distractions’ (talking about her career & her new book), so I thought it would only be fitting to share some of the shots from our shoot for fashion label Sachin & Babi from 2018!

A few months before this shoot took place, I had found Maye's Instagram and was trying to think of a concept I could pitch or figure out a way to shoot her. She was in LA - I was in NY. How could this shoot happen?
I believe that sometimes putting enough energy into the universe results in making things happen and funnily enough - it did. When designers Sachin & Babi reached out to me saying they wanted Maye for their next campaign & if I’d be interested in collaborating, I immediately jumped onto my laptop and started gathering photoshoot ideas!

Babi (Sachin & Babi’s creative director) recalls - “We were at the CFDA Awards last year, and out of the corner of my eye, I see this beautiful lady,”. The designers were captivated the moment they saw her and I instantly knew that’s probably what happens when everyone meets her.

The moment she arrived on set all eyes were upon her - with her beautiful silver hair and calming aura. It’s hard not to want to sit and listen to her for hours when she tells her stories. On set and in-between poses she told me a little about her early modeling career and I found myself wanting to know more. So did my assistants who she happily chatted to in-between shots. I believe that’s how everyone feels when they meet her and I can understand why so many brands and magazines have her as the ‘model of the moment’!

She moves so gracefully on set and she knows that’s part of the collaboration of getting a great shot - a true model. Today it’s more rare to find subjects who want to engage. It’s not just about the photographer but how well the subject interacts and wants to deliver. 

I am really proud of how this project turned out! Here are some of the beautiful images we took & a behind the scenes videos which shows you what we got up to!

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BEHIND THE SCENES WITH HARPER’S BAZAAR KZ

Looking back on one of my favorite studio shoots for Harper’s Bazaar Kazakhstan with the amazing Veronika Vilim!

This metallic shoot concept was on my mind for quite a while. I often sit on my editorial shoot ideas (in the form of folders of inspiration on my desktop!!) and wait for the perfect opportunity to shoot. It’s important for me to plan shoots around the right fashion season & it’s also important to get all of the pieces of the puzzle in line to make for a successful shoot! A golden recipe includes an experienced model that fits the brief perfectly, on-trend clothes, a successful concept, hair and make up that compliments and doesn’t over-take and a team willing to collaborate & work hard to create a cohesive story!

As soon as an editorial plan has the green light - I go full steam ahead in trying to bring that concept to life. Sometimes these briefs can be quick deadlines and sometimes I have a few weeks notice (I prefer the latter but that is not always the case in the fashion industry!). In fact, some of my quickest deadlines have been some of my most successful editorial shoots because the pressure gets you thinking creatively!

For this particular shoot the casting was extremely important because the clothes were strong – the powerful shapes and metallics needed a confident subject in front of the lens.

You can find the whole editorial story on my portfolio website!

A big thank you to an amazing team who were supportive of my vision and not afraid to encourage me to work outside of my comfort zone!

Styling by Melina Chen | Hair by Yukiko Tajima | Make Up by Kim Weber | Prop Styling by Alex Brannian | Manicurist Ami Vega | Retouching by Victor Wagner | Photo Assistant by Jacob Skoglund

Behind The Scenes Images by Megan Toriglia

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