Finally, Nicole | September 14, 2023
Nicole Gazo finally showed up, we shot some amazing images AND had some really important conversation about the state of fashion, instagram, and modeling.
Nicole and I have been going back and forth for almost a year about shooting. It’s difficult when you cold solicit someone on Instagram, and hope they’ll give you a shot to work together. We’d talked for a while about shooting, and after too many misfires, I kind of gave up. I had a cancellation on a random Thursday, and thought I’d randomly pop in on her. I guess the timing was perfect, because within two hours, she was here at the studio. From a huge suitcase filled with options, this was the look we came up with. The idea was to not over-sexualize, and we had some truly interesting conversation about how young women are conditioned to do that, and how it is negatively affecting both men and women & our interpersonal relationships.
She also needed some classic agency digitals, which I was happy to help her with.
(click images to expand)
Two Days With Heather | September 8 & 9, 2023
I got to spend two days creating beautiful imagery with the legendary Heather Payne!
I met Heather about 10 years ago, and, despite only meeting in person that one time, we’ve kept in touch with an occasional message here and there. You know what they say… “timing is everything.” They also say, “location location location.”
If you put those two things together…. magic can and will happen.
So, we put those two things together, and magic happened.
Heather Payne, Founder and Creative Director of Emerging Heroes, is a renowned former model. She has worked with top designers and appeared in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Collaborations and tests never go exactly as planned, and that’s part of the beauty of the process. I like to keep my collaborations rather simple, as I get most of my creative energy from spontaneity on the day of the shoot. Its great to set guidelines, create mood boards, pull wardrobe, etc, but in that moment…. I’m always going to follow my gut, if there’s not a specific deliverable or goal to achieve. We had a plan, and surely followed it, but what you’ll see below is us not worrying about coloring within the lines we created before we started actually shooting.
This was a truly wonderful partnership. Heather is incredibly energetic, organized, and determined. I am very fortunate to know her and to have had the opportunity to create these beautiful images with her. I truly hope this is just the beginning of a long lasting and fruitful creative partnership.
Here are the stunning fruits of our labor. (click images to expand)
Portfolio building with Anja | September 5, 2023
Anja from The Source Models needed some basic studio work for her portfolio, and I needed to get back to work after 2 months of recovery after surgery.
I don’t think I’d mentioned this here….I had surgery on my left arm (elbow) on July 11th of this year. I knew it was coming, so I slowed down, in the weeks before, and cleared my schedule for about two months afterwards. I’m left handed, and edit with a stylus, so, I knew it would be a bit before I was able to get back to work.
It funny… you go from 0% to 80% post-surgery so fast! I was expecting to be out of commission through the end of September, but I got back to life much sooner than expected. So, I reached out to Jeff Fuller of The Source Models to see if he had anyone for me to shoot. He sent me a package to select from, and it was very clear who I wanted to work with. Anja had gorgeous images that I could tell were from a single shoot in South Pointe Park, and her limited portfolio was screaming for some studio work. I also needed to get back to work and stretch my lens and arms after almost three months off.
I must say, working with Anja was a wonderful experience; she even showed up early! We kept the styling simple & classic and I think that was the right move. Here are the completed images from our work together.
A great shoot & experience. I hope to create more with Anja in the future.
(click image to expand)
BMF | Caitlin Holt | March 1, 2023
It can truly be a shame when social media algorithms treat art as disposable. How did this one come and go so quickly?
Some people just ooze attitude and style. When I saw Caitlin at the Motorcar Cavalcade, I knew immediately she was the BMF of all the models working that day. I’m so glad I had an opportunity to talk with her, and even more so to work with her this March. Social media inadvertently makes these shoots seem so insignificant. One or two posts, and poof…. on to the next one. No real time to appreciate the incredible work we sometimes create. Not only that, photography is severely undervalued due to these stupid algorithms. Where does a photographer put an incredible shoot? Who gets to see it? If a tree falls in the woods….
So, as I sit here on Dec 26, 2023 and publish every finished photo created in 2023, I am taken aback by how incredible these images with Caitlin are. The final look, in the white ballerina tutu…. leaves me breathless. And, to be honest, I kind of forgot we did them. I’m soo glad I decided to make sure all the 2023 work is out there to be appreciated.
Cait, you’re a Baaaaaaaad MotherF**ker. If you’re reading this, text me. We must create more art together in 2024. And this time, let’s not let these stupid algorithms glance at them and then just move along.
(click image to enlarge)
Run Sandy Run | Sandy Kakura | February 19, 2023
Sandy loves to run. I never shot someone running. She rarely, if ever, had been photographed running.
So, here we go…
When I first met and shot with Sandy, she mentioned that she rarely got to shoot herself doing her favorite thing... running. Intrigued by the challenge, I responded that I rarely shoot fitness content. Nonetheless, we decided to embark on an experiment together. With cameras in hand and determination in our hearts, we set out to capture Sandy in her element. The results were beyond my expectations. Sandy's passion and joy for running radiated from every image. Through her graceful movements and fierce determination, we were able to freeze moments of pure athleticism and appreciation for the sport. It was a reminder that sometimes the best results can come from embracing the unexpected and stepping out of our comfort zones.
Posing with @pineapplepey | Peyton Bell | February 12, 2023
Peyton Bell is top notch. Great energy, enthusiasm for creativity, and fearless. Can’t ask for more. I look forward to shooting more with @pineapplepey
It’s always great to find new collaborators. Oftentimes, creative or spontaneous shoots are like dancing. Not only do you need to find a good partner, there needs to be a good rhythm. I met Peyton at the Motorcar Cavalcade, and we set up a simple shoot. We spend Super Bowl Sunday doing what NY Jet’s fans do…. not watch the game. Peyton has truly great creative energy. We had only a simple plan and creative chemistry, and I’d say we nailed the assignment. These are the results. (click image to enlarge)
Man in Ocean in Suit | Sebastian Frings | February 11, 2023
Man. Ocean. Suit. Sebastian. Me.
Here's another one of those photoshoot ideas and plans that got completely delayed by the damn pandemic and the following depression that stopped me from being both social and creative. I had talked with Sebastian perhaps 2 years prior about this idea of a man in the ocean in a suit. Between COVID, difficult coordination of schedules, and my own demons, it took a long time to get this one shot and done.
While I love our results, I think we can do better. It was difficult to coordinate for a golden hour shoot, so we did the best we could when we finally got together to make this happen. One day, we'll reconvene and shoot this idea with even better light. I imagine the sun casting a breathtaking glow on the ocean surface, highlighting every droplet of water as it cascades off the man's suit, creating a mesmerizing effect. The perfect blend of warm hues and gentle waves will elevate this concept to another level. Despite the hurdles we faced, the passion and determination fueling this project remain unwavering. The pandemic may have forced us to take a detour, but it has only fueled our resolve to capture this vision with absolute brilliance. Stay tuned for the day when we bring this concept to life again, and the results will undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Testing an idea with Holly | Holly Ridings | February 8, 2023
Creative experimentation with Holly Ridings. B&W studio photography experiments.
I had a concept I wanted to test out, and Holly was there to help out. We knew we were on to something. I’m going to play with this idea for a while. Different light. Different colors. I’m excited to explore something so simple, yet unlimited in its potential. It all started here. With Holly. What do you think?
Ridiculousness with Raven | Raven Riley | February 3, 2023
Get out there. Be stupid. Have fun.
I hadn’t seen Raven in YEARS. We had a brief shoot that went super well, and the vibes were fantastic. Sometimes you make new friends when you shoot. This was one of those times.
Then the world fell apart for a brief two years. It changed so many of us in so many ways. One goal of mine this year is to be prolific. To get back to getting out of the house and shooting for the love of it, not just the business. I knew this would be a sexy shoot, but when I arrived, we just started laughing and coming up with the silliest of ideas. So… join us, as we go from serious/sexy to silly/stupid. I promise… there will be more whimsical shoots like this in the future! (Be sure to browse through for the GIFs!)
Spontaneity with Sandy | Sandy Kacura | February 1, 2023
Spur of the moment photo shoots oftentimes result in magic.
I’ve been trying to develop new habits this year. One a month. January was all about sleep. Early to bed. Early to rise. I have come to LOVE the few hours at my desk before the sun rises. Everyone is asleep and I’m hustling. So, when Lee Dahlberg invited me to his home to watch the premiere of Gunther’s Millions at 7PM, I had to think of how to make that work. I’d typically be showering and getting ready for bed at that time. “Why don’t I come over now, we can shoot in your backyard, and then I’ll be there when the festivities start.” “Sure, but I will be preparing for tonight. How about you come by and shoot with Sandy?” “Sure! Be right there.”
We had such a fun time, with no preparation, fueled by he excitement of spontaneity. I truly hope this is the first of many times I get to collaborate with Sandy.
Action with Ariana | Ariana Buscaglia | January 25, 2023
Getting gritty with Ariana
Ariana & I have been talking about shooting for a LONG time. Years. Its oftentimes difficult to sync schedules, let alone in this laid back city we call Miami. We bumped into one another at Art Basel back in December, had our first in-person conversation about the shoot, and that was the push we needed to make something happen. We were overwhelmed with ideas as well as the excitement of finally being able to create together. Here’s a bit of the magic we created that day.
Heaven with Haven | Haven Star Ross | July 22, 2022
An impromptu shoot with a superstar, Haven Star.
Thank Haven! This was a somewhat impromptu early morning shoot at a lovely home in Miami Beach. Sometimes, its great to keep it simple and quick when you’re collaborating with someone for the first time. We got some great images, but also laid the foundation for future collaborations. Keep an eye on Haven. She’s a rising star! You can check out her music here.
First Collab with Lee | Lee Dahlberg | June 29, 2017
The first time I collaborated with and photographed Lee Dahlberg.
I’m very fortunate to know and call Lee Dahlberg a friend. This was the first time we shot anything together. I showed up with a camera and strobe. The rest is history. You’ll see him again.
Hijinks with Harper | Harper SEEN | May 7, 2015
Lana Haper SEEN is a force of nature.
Harper is a force of nature. This one was a bit of a blur. I just know she’s absolutely fearless & full of life. You can check out her music here.
