olivia
My first model shoot in New York. I was over for my first trip since University and I couldn’t help but take the chance to try to shoot the same style as I had been in my London studio. I reached out to Wilhelmina in New York, and based off my book they agreed to send someone down. That someone was Olivia.
We were in a Studio on the edge of the Jewish area of Brooklyn, in a huge complex with mazy corridors everywhere. My photographer friend Nate was renting it at the time and he agreed to let me use the space. Olivia arrived, but for the first and so far in my career, only time, with her boyfriend. I suppose it makes sense for safety but I was a bit upset at first thinking that he was going to get in the way. But to my surprise not only did he not get in the way, but he was a professional football player. Which suddenly meant that me and him had a load to chat about. I had to pull myself away from our conversation to actually go take some pictures.
As always I tried to keep it natural light and do similar set ups as I had done in the safety of my London space. The only shot I had in mind, which was a little daring, was do some implied nude. I’d never tried it before and felt like this was a good time. When the models partner is there…Regardless I knew that I wanted to use a New York Times newspaper to do it. So holding the paper up, but still wearing a tube top, she peaked around the edges with a smile. It’s funny how you can tell she’s smiling even though you can’t see her mouth. In truth I didn’t fully nail the implied nude bit. Probably needed more time and care.
But I did get one of the most striking portraits I’ve ever shot. Her smile dropped and because the paper was covering his mouth you’re forced to look right into her eyes. The fact all you can see on the paper even though it is blurry is obvious death and destruction helps bring it home compared to her young eyes.
I’m quite happy with the rest of it, it’s a nice simple fashion test, but that portrait. That’s something else.
