Raf's show was sure to be killer end to a NYFW Men's day. Set in an alley behind a daycare, the show was held in long hallway of a outdoor market. Boys wore raincoats, umbrellas and held lanterns. Inspiration derived from Raf's love of the film "Blade Runner" in the heart of Chinatown, the show started at a late 9:45pm. The sound of the trains above on the Manhattan Bridge and the stale air filled the space. Photographers gathered in an alley perpendicular to the runway, where guests stood lining the walls.
Matcha Mornings with Hannah Bronfman for Chillhouse
Chillhouse launched their new event series - Matcha Mornings. Hannah Bronfman, Matcha Stewart herself, was the first guest. Over iced matcha lattes, the girls chatted about HBFit, fitness, failures, and newlywed life.
The intimate setting allowed to real talk (also live-streamed on Insta) and a Q&A. The perfect way to start off Wednesday and cruise through the rest of the day.
For the full Q&A and more images ... head to Taste the Style.
PUMA Pride Clyde
This project is so near and dear to my heart. Jesse is my oldest friend. We grew up together and have been friends for 20+ years. I asked if she and her girlfriend Skarlyn would be interested in doing a collab with me and PUMA. Both girls were thrilled and totally on board. So we grabbed the new Clyde pride sneakers and jetted to Squarespace's office in NYC to start the shoot before the Pride Parade. It was almost like an engagement shoot. Kissing, dancing and laughing, Jesse and Skar were naturals in front of the camera.
PUMA ran the images on multiple Instagram accounts including PUMA Sportstyle and PUMA Women
Jordan Salcito for Taste the Style
With a 16 month year old, Jordan certainly has her hands full. She started Ramona Wine Coolers and called it her maternity leave project. Recently partnered with chillhouse for a nail art design, Ramona Wines is Insta-worthy. Jordan sent me home with cans and beach balls because that's how they roll. Her bubbly and warm personality shines through the lens and is clearly represented on the design of Ramona.
Pick up a can this summer to add to your cooler while lounging on the beach in Montauk or having a picnic in Central Park. And open a can while flipping through the photos and reading her interview on TTS.
Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic 2017
My friend Jamie Chung invited me to join her at this year's 10th anniversary of the VCPC. As Freida Pinto said when she came over to the table, "Most celebs ignore you when they see you at events even if you have met before. But Jamie goes out of her way to come over and say hello." That couldn't be more true. Her kind and warm personality is contagious.
This is one of the few times I got to attend an event like this as a guest. Usually I am in all black and geared out as I mingle through the crowds trying to capture every moment. I brought my camera along to shoot some looks of Jamie, but that was all captured in the first 10 mins. Jamie told me to put my camera down and have fun. I struggled to separate my personal life from my work life. So use to being glued to my camera, I continued to shoot for fun, capturing unique moments of the day. I left with a more personal collection of images, not the typical celeb red carpet focus I am often hired to shoot.
I hope as you look at these images you feel the intense sunshine of the day and the laughs between my friends and I.
Jules Miller for Taste the Style
I recently photographed Jules Miller of The Nue Co. for Taste the Style. The adorable Jules was shot outside of CAP Beauty, where we chatted about all things photo, nutrition and moving to NYC. Check out her Boss Babes interview on TTS!
Boston Marathon 2017
This was my first time attending the Boston Marathon, which is shocking considering I grew up outside of Boston my whole life.
I was overwhelmed by the whole experience. The chanting, cheering and enthusiasm of the attendees lining the route had me in tears. I already can't wait until next year.
T's 50 Best Photos Fall 2017
I'm honored to have 5 photos included in
T Magazine's 50 Best Photos from Fashion Month
alongside my incredible peers.
Photos taken at Jason Wu, Proenza Schouler, Ryan Roche and Sies Marjan
Coach Fall 2017
I'm sure people are sick of looking at all my Coach photos because I post them every other day, but I'm still obsessing over the Fall 2017 show. Creative Director Stuart Vevers put together another the cool IT girl collection filled with florals, fur and even Fisher Price logos on bags.
My images can be found on Coach's social feeds, The Zoe Report and Simon Mall advertisements.
Fall 2017 Beauty for Allure
I captured beauty looks at Thakoon and Prabal Gurung backstage for Allure. Hair, makeup and nails were so strong at both shows.
Prabal had some big named models including Joan Smalls, Bella Hadid and Jasmine Tookes. There wore the bold eye look well on the runway. Thakoon's hair was a combed back look with beachy waves and a light pinky coral lip, matching the silk coral in the fabric of the blouses.
Jason Wu Fall 2017 for T Magazine
Bold red lips, blue mascara and gold velvet and glitter see-through gowns graced the halls of the St. Regis Hotel. It's a perfect setting for Jason Wu's fall collection.
The tight hallways are a challenge for shooting full looks and the chaos begins to unfold as the show starts. I stuck around until the very end and was lucky to capture Adriana Lima and Amber Valletta congratulating Jason on a remarkable collection. Luke Wilson also was in attendance and even came backstage before the show to check out the looks. His backstage pass hanging on a lanyard around his neck made him look more like he was part of the crowd and no one seemed to notice. My obsession with Legally Blonde kicked in and I scurried my way over to ask for a shot. "Do I look good?" he asks me as he runs his hands through his hair. I pause, stunned. Then reply "of course!" Probably a little too eager. Another photographer pats me on the back for having the courage to approach him when no one else would.
Check out the Beauty Report and full slideshow
Ryan Roche Fall 2017 for T Magazine
Ryan Roche's show always warms my heart. The nude knits are consistent in her collections season to season. Hues of red were brought in this season in forms of heels, knits and in the beauty looks. It was her first runway show, which was perfecly on brand with a white carpet runway. Her 13-year-old daughter Luella and friend Story Littleton stood on either side of the runway singing live songs by Stevie Nicks, the Stone Poneys and Kate Bush. I immediately ran home and edited the show while listening to "Wild Heart" and "Different Drum."
For the full slideshow check out T Magazine
Prabal Gurung Fall 2017
Femininity With A Bite
The above title was the show's hashtag, which should give you a not so subtle hint of the theme of Prabal's Fall 2017 collection.
Prabal Gurung's approach to feminism was inspiring. Girls marched down the runway finale in white and black tees with sayings like "You Can't Stop Me" and "This Is What A Feminist Looks Like." An ode to the female body and empowerment continued through the show with choice of models of varying body shapes on the runway. Bold colored graphic eye liner above the lid mirrored the theme of empowerment with slick back ponies.
Model Ashley Graham sat front row to support Prabal, her new partner in collaborating for Lane Bryant . SJP also was in attendance and shed some tears backstage when talking to the designer about the beauty of the collection. Other friends included stylist Rachel Zoe, Quantico's Priyanka Chopra and Contance's Upper East Sider Leighton Meester.
Basket Heart for PUMA
PUMA Sportstyle has launched the product images and GIFS I shot for them highlighting the new Basket Heart sneakers. The iridescent swoosh matched the texture and environment of the Dream Downtown bathroom tiling. Yes, I shot those in a bathroom. I really wanted the rainbow in the shine to standout, so the white and black bathroom allowed me to put the focus on the unique swoosh that was launching int eh collection.
The second set of Basket Heart sneakers were suede and had glitter soles. It felt appropriate to shoot the shoes in front of glitter gold backdrops to match the logos/branding on the side and heel. The white table subtly reflected a bit of the glitter sole and hot pink shoe.
I was a prop stylist, creative director, lead photographer and BTS photographer on this shoot, which allowed me to showcase my many skills and creative outlook from start to finish.
Proenza Schouler Fall 2017 for T Magazine
White brick walls with black cords lined the floor backstage as the models with bleached eyebrows and white eyeliner lined up in cut out graphic dresses and shiny clutches .
Check out the gallery on T Magazine
Sies Marjan Fall 2017 for T Magazine
Sies Marjan hosted their show at the Hilton Midtown, which seemed like an odd fit at first but once I saw the ballroom it couldn't have been more perfect. The teal walls were a contrast to the neon fur and silk downs. I was already excited to edit my runway photos before I even took them.
Check out the full gallery at T Magazine
Tory Burch Fall 2017 for T Magazine
I adore shooting this show because the clothes are actually pieces I would buy. Many shows I have an admiration for, but the style isn't my personal style. Tory Burch's brand is. The whole collection had me picturing myself on the steps to the MET eating yogurt with the upper east siders.
The bows in the hair & on the shoes were on point
I drooled over the jackets - that I knew would be staple pieces in my wardrobe
The monograms made me swoon
Tory is one of the few designers that puts the models backstage in matching outfits. As a backstage photographer, this to me is gold. It makes the beauty images captured unique to the rest of the shows and puts the focus on the actual look. Tory's tracksuits are on another level too. They are chic.
First looks this season was perfectly set up backstage against a white wall and wood panel flooring in the Whitney Museum. Less than 10 photographers lined up against the rope as the models graciously posed for full shots.
I quickly ran to the runway and snagged a spot in the pit next to someone from Tory's team streaming the runway live on Instagram. I loved the angle I shot the show from last season, so I knew I wanted to be in a similar position for this show.
The cherry on top of it all? Seeing Tory Sport regram my outtake from backstage.
For the full gallery, check out T Magazine
Michael Kors Fall 2017 for T Magazine
Spring Studios is notorious for holding Kors show every season and the large windows and white walls are a photog's dream.
Models wait in line for fresh pressed juices, something unusual to catering at shows. I had my first green juice to fit in with the crowd. Peer pressure isn't so bad all the time.
Ashley Graham was a bombshell in the grey fur coat and super giddy backstage chatting with Amber Valletta. "We must get together for sushi soon, " Graham gushes to Valletta.
Last Michael Kors show, I wasn't too pleased with the first looks images I had taken so I was determined this time around to create unique imagery that I was proud of. Some of my favorite fashion week shots were taken at this show.
For the gallery check out T Magazine and their beauty report from the show.
Brock Collection Fall 2017 for Yahoo
Brock Collection was my first show of NYFW. Last November, the designers (husband-and-wife) won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, so I was eager to start the week with such an important show. Wintour was in attendance - no surprise since she was a part of awarding the duo the prize of VFF. She came backstage, where the designers showed her the collection first hand and described the pieces and inspiration. Beautiful live music played as the models graced the runway in feminine cardigans and pencil skirts.
10 Things I Learned at Fashion Week 2017
Originally featured on Adorama
Every Fashion Week I learn something new. This is my tenth or so New York Fashion Week by now and I’m still forgetting memory cards, wandering aimlessly trying to find the backstage entrance at Skylight Clarkson, getting kicked out of areas and wondering why Dropbox doesn’t sync faster on Starbucks wifi.
My kit this NYFW included my Nikon D800, 16-35mm f/4, 50mm f/1.4, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Nikkor lenses, Nikon SB-910 Flash and multiple trips to CVS for AA batteries. I rented a Sony a7R II with 85mm/1.4 from Adorama, which I loved so much I shed a little tear when I returned it today.
As a photographer, you are always learning and this fashion week was my biggest learning experience to date.
1. Having more than one camera makes a difference. This was actually the first fashion week I used more than one camera body. I don’t like to feel overwhelmed by gear and gadgets so I like to keep it simple. I added the extremely lightweight Sony a7R II with 85mm/1.4 to my kit. My 24-70mm on my Nikon is great for runway and first looks, but doesn’t compare to the beauty that is the 1.4. I elevated my beauty work alone with the Sony, a personal goal of mine during NYFW.
2. Some things aren’t worth biting your nails over. This was actually something another photographer said to me while I was backstage waiting for first looks at Jason Wu chewing on my hot pink nails. Fifteen plus photographers were crammed in a hallway at the St. Regis Hotel waiting for models to bolt down the hallway in gowns and stilettos. I’m disappointed with the lighting in the hallway and my inability to move around. My back is pushed up against the wall leaving only 3 feet away from the models when they line up. My nerves kicked in and I started biting my newly manicured nails. She [the photographer] was right. It wasn’t worth stressing over. I couldn’t change the situation. I just would have to make it work. Make a beautiful shot out of a difficult situation. But isn’t that what fashion week is all about?
3. Celebrities are people too. I know, shocker! Prabal Gurung’s show emphasized femininity with a finale that left viewers speechless. Bella Hadid led the pack down the runway to a cover of “Imagine” by the John Lennon in a white tee with the text “The Future Is Female.” Matching black and white tees with other sayings quickly followed. I watched Sarah Jessica Parker hug Prabal Gurung post show. They both turned their backs to the cameras as they shed tears. SJP posed for a couple shots after wiping away tears. She turns to the photographers and says, “He’s all yours gentlemen.” The pauses and turns to me and says “and ladies.”
4. Welcome to “Photographer Humiliation Month.” We often get told we have access to one thing and then it changes or that we only get 15 min backstage and nothing more. Pushed and shoved in tight quarters all day to get THE shot. I learned however that photographers have each other’s back during fashion week. We might all be kicking each other out of the way to get the photo, but when push comes to shove [literally] I can count on the backstage vets to have my back.
5. Don’t shoot just to shoot. I use to photograph EVERYTHING backstage. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you need to shoot it.
6. Eat the catering. I always forget this one. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but when no one is looking I sneak some of the leftover snacks and drinks into my bag on my way out the door. Essential fuel for editing. (Coach had insane chocolate chip cookies with salt on top and Thakoon had cute Rosé in a can).
7. Take on personal projects. Just because your editor doesn’t want you to shoot runway, doesn’t mean you can’t. This fashion week I made GIFS for clients. I always have fun making them because they showcase my images in a new way and break up my coverage by adding movement.
8. If you see Anna Wintour, immediately click the shutter. I try to shoot and not think during this one because the more I over think it the more I panic she will say something to me. So I shoot then run.
9. If you can’t find moments, make them! Ask models to twirl, hold up the bag, and make a silly face. Talking with the models and getting to know them will help you know their personality and as a result know how to direct them in images to get the photos you want.
10. Have a little faith. I have always been a half glass empty kind of girl. Maybe it’s the perfectionist in me always striving to do better. Three days or so into NYFW, I was over it. Ready to quit. I hated the photos I was taking. They felt repetitive and old. I was striving for something fresh. Even though I was getting lots of “likes” and “regrams,” I wasn’t happy. I was trying to stay away from the “chaos” and makeup/backstage photos I tend to crutch on. It wasn’t until Proenza Schouler’s show that I felt like I was producing the work I wanted. Black cords lined the dingy floor of Skylight Clarkson with brick white walls. My face lit up instantly. Sometimes I need to remind myself that not every show will be amazing. I won’t love everything I shoot. But if I leave fashion week with at least five great photos I am proud of, then I’m golden.
This article was re-posted on PetaPixel, DigitalRev and SLR Lounge
For my review on the Sony a7rII check out Adorama