I love covering IWD in the city because the energy surrounding the day is so inspirational and contagious. Instead of shooting the strike and rally like last year, I focused just on portraiture of the beautiful women in Washington Square Park for International Women's Day. It might be my favorite series yet and I hope in these images you see strong, independent and powerful women and girls.
NYFW Fall 2018 for T Magazine
TOM FORD
When T assigned me Tom Ford's Men Show I was overwhelmed with excitement. I was completely speechless when I saw Mr. Ford himself at the show taking notes of the models and their walks during rehearsal. It wasn't until 15 min before the show that I learned the finale would be launching his underwear collection.
I wanted my work from this show to look different than my past. I didn't want it to look like "backstage" but more editorial in nature with a detailed focus on more portraiture. I also edited the images differently with a more desaturated color palette focusing on the body and skin tones of the models.
JASON WU
Wu's show was the only women's show I captured for T this season. The bold eye look allowed me to capture more beauty and portraiture than I typically do during NYFW. However the portrait of Whoopi Goldberg might be the highlight of my career thus far.
I watch The View everyday in my office and have adored Whoopi in all her accomplishments. No one was asking her for a photo as she sat front row, so I thought maybe she was unfriendly or didn't want to be photographed. I waited around until the end of the show and lingered as she greeted friends. I politely tapped her on the shoulder when I noticed a lull in the conversation. She was so sweet and posed for a portrait on the runway. I hope reading this is a reminder to all photographers to always ask for the shot! Never be intimidated. I mis-judged the situation by seeing no one shooting her and I am so happy I pushed myself to talk to her. Every time I look at the photo I smile thinking of how lucky I am to meet the people I do in my industry.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Monse
Monse asked me to cover their party at the Gramercy Hotel Rooftop in honor of their Fall 2018 video shoot with Erin Wasson. The film played on screens throughout the rooftop and everything was inspired by Coney Island, where the video took place. Hot dogs, cotton candy, tater tots, popcorn and corn dogs were passed around. Guests included Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Zosia Mamet, Olivia Culpo, Princess Olympia of Greece, Isabeli Fontana and more. You can see more on Vogue.com
Pericura at MOXY Hotel
Artist Alice Longyu Gao put together a Harajuku-inspired Insta-worthy beauty room at the Moxy Hotel. Lucky cat figures line the fuzzy floors and fortune cookies are on display to take before you do. Illuminated in neon lights, the room is a glimpse into Alice's mind. Alice plays her track made for the Juicy Couture NYFW show in the background while she herself gets her hair done by Kahh Spence. Offered in the space are nail appointments with artist Mei Kawajiri, jewelry workshops with Etsuna Otsuka and hair styling sessions with Kahh Spence. Per Alice's request, I got the extra pearls and sparkles on my nails. "Nothing can ever be too much in here," Alice says.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Mansur Gavriel
This season I got to work with photographers Tanya and Zhenya Posternak at the Mansur show. Both sisters ran the Instagram story account while I shot for social. The collaborative process backstage to create imagery was unlike any show I have done before. Tanya, Zhenya and I met with the Mansur team a week prior to the show to discuss the show schedule and deliverables. I admire their work so much and loved being able to shoot alongside them this season.
Check my work out on Mansur's instagram and website.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Coach
My assignment for Coach this season was to work exclusively with Selena Gomez to create unique content for Coach's social media. Having worked with Selena before, I was excited to create new work of her and spend some time with her prior to the show.
I always end my show coverage by shooting Stuart with the guest post-show congratulating him on his collection and asking about his inspiration. Spotted backstage was Storm Reid, of the new upcoming movie A Wrinkle in Time, Tommy Dorfman of 13 Reasons Why, Hip-Hop Artists Joey Badass and of course Artist Petra Collins.
You can see my work on Coach's Instagram as well as Stuart's Instagram
Jamie Chung X NYFW
When she was in NYC for a few days during NYFW, Jamie Chung and I collaborated on some shoots for Parker and Adidas. I can't believe I have known Jamie for 4 years now. Our first shoot was at the Standard Hotel Highline in the bathroom where they had these killer black and white patterned walls. She introduced me that day to my now obsession with oysters and she had just recently got engaged. I always love shooting with Jamie while she is in town and catching up. Happy to call her a friend and a client!
Follow along on Jamie's work and killer style over on her Instagram.
Ashley Stark X Valentine's Day
Ashley's home is stunning to say the least. Every room was picture perfect for our Valentine's Day Party shoot. We wanted to showcase Ashley's personality and life while still focusing on the interiors. Check out Ashley's Instagram for more images featuring rosé, party favors, cofetti and more.
Coach X Minnie Mouse
I have never laughed so hard on a photoshoot. I was honored to be in the presence of Disney Royalty as Stuart fitted Minnie Mouse for her custom Coach look. The Coach capsule collection launched January 22, 2018 (the same day Minnie accepted her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star).
Minnie was over the top hilarious and adorable on set and in the workshop. This was my first shoot of 2018 and I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Women's March 2018
I joined my sister and friends in NYC for another march this weekend. Last year I created a series of photos for a personal project and as much as I was excited to march I was just as excited to shoot more this year. A mix of signs, portraits and reportage, the images accurately depict the power of the march and the movement.
You can view all my March photos in the personal section of my website.
Mansur Gavriel on Wooster St.
Mansur Gavriel updated it's Wooster St. store for the new season. It's hard not to love an interior when it's millennial pink. To see more photos check out mansurgavriel.com
Starbucks Give Good
In lieu of giving gifts this season, I passed out coffee to the homeless in NYC. What I created was a special photo series dear to my heart of the people I met.
Starbucks releasing their holiday cup collection is my favorite time of year. I look forward to Halloween purely because the launch is the following day. The design and red colored theme always puts me in the holiday spirit. Anyone who knows me knows I love this day more than my birthday or any other day of the year.
I was happy to spread the holiday joy this season with those on the streets on New York City. I hope this series inspires you to give good as well and make someone's day by buying them a hot cup of coffee.
Selena Gomez in London for Coach
Following my days at the workshop, I flew with the Coach team to London to shoot Selena at the Regent Store meet and greet. The first day in London I spent bopping around the city capturing the Selena bag in front of tourist spots like Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and in a phone booth. It was the perfect first day to settle in because I got to tour the city and work simultaneously.
The next day I covered her arrival at the Coach Regent store and her meet and greets with hundreds of fans. Fans waited outside in the cold with hot chocolate and little heart Coach hand warmers waiting to be led inside to a line that weaved around the store and downstairs to the second floor. I saw so many tears and heard multiple heart felt stories of fans battling with sickness and finding peace in her music.
When all the fans had cleared out I followed Selena to her hotel, where I took some last minute photos of her dress (See pervious post) and took a portrait of Stuart on his way to the British Fashion Awards.
Selena Gomez Fittings for Coach
Finally catching up on my blogging after the holidays. The end of 2017 was crazy for me. I worked a lot with Coach and spent a fair amount of time in the Coach workshop.
I captured the making of Selena's American Music Awards' leather dress and the prairie dress she wore to the British Fashion Awards in London with Stuart. From the glitter patches to carefully stitching vintage lace, Coach pays close attention to detail. I love spending time in the workshop watching the team put together these incredible pieces for her to wear on red carpets.
Coach and Selena 5th Ave
She stayed way past her allotted time because she insisted on chatting with everyone who came. Selena greeted all the fans with a hug, signed posters and took lots and lots of photos. Just a few days later she announced she had a kidney transplant. I've never met a celebrity/notable more inspirational than Selena. It was an honor to spend the day with heron 5th ave at the Coach store to celebrate her new collaboration bag with Stuart.
To the left is me shooting the superstar in Coach's store in custom Coach bomber jacket.
Magic Hour at Moxy Times Square
This is by far the craziest party I have ever attended. I shot the recent TAO Grand Opening of Magic Hour, the rooftop of the Moxy Times Square Hotel.
Golf course. Fidget spinners on head pieces. Models in body paint. Frat party themed room. Pillow fights. Circus actors.
Hopefully the photos do this party justice. My photos can be seen on Thirsty, Moxy Times Square Instagram and Facebook, Laverne Cox's Instagram and Page Six.
Armani Beauty with Jamie Chung & Bryan Greenberg
When Jamie asked me to shoot her and her husband Bryan for social content, I immediately said YES. The intimate shoot on the roof overlooking the city was the perfect setting to showcase the Armani fragrances. I had met Bryan a couple times when he was in NY, but never got to shoot them together.
You can see the shots on Jamie's Instagram as well as Bryan's.
Mansur Gavriel on Madison Ave
Mansur Gavriel just opened up their very pink pop up on Madison Ave. I shot the store before it opened to the public this week and captured some interiors for their web and press.
For more check out https://www.mansurgavriel.com/pages/new-york-madison
NYFW Spring 2018 for Chillhouse
Chillhouse is one of my clients outside of NYFW, so I was thrilled to hear they would be doing the nails at some of the coolest shows. My beauty details and products shots at Club Monaco, Baja East and their Lexus Pop Up in Meatpacking throughout the week can be seen on Cosmopolitan, Pop Sugar, and Byrdie
CLUB MONACO
BAJA EAST
LEXUS POP UP
Bibhu Mohapatra Spring 2018 for Christian Louboutin
Seen on Christian Louboutin Instagram
Working with the Louboutin team this season was such an honor.
Never have I been able to do constant squats while shooting NYFW.
Clearly not the same coverage I do for T Magazine, there was no need to capture makeup, models, the runway set or details of the clothing. I spent the whole time on the floor, focusing on those red soles.
I love the start contrast of the silhouette against the white wall and shadow. All the lines juxtaposed to the circles on the dress, create a bold dynamic look.