valerie
Valerie was a really fun shoot. The way shoots should always be. I had the smarts to get Jules on makeup and Cigdem on styling. Two people that I had worked with a lot when I was an assistant, but it was a joy to work with them where I was the photographer. It felt like actual, tangible progress in my career. Plus they’re lovely and very talented women.
Valerie was from the US and we all had a great time making fun of her for various cultural things as she did us. It’s strange looking back on this shoot because I’m struck by how good it’s help up. Its a real testament to everything having to come together to make a good image. It was also a lighting technic I’d seen but never tried until this shoot. Two Profoto heads firing directly up into the ceiling, but slightly behind the model. I liked it, but weirdly didn’t do it again. The edge lighting on each side of her face slightly darkens the exposure on her face which felt strong.
We ended as always with the flash shoot. I had an idea about her blowing a big bubble, but the gum wouldn’t work. However what would work was it quite literally blowing up up in her face which was way more interesting anyway. Another lesson in going with the flow of a shoot, it usually leads to better results.
This shoot is all just one big happy feeling. I’d love to go back to this day and do it again.
