Talk about the most Instagrammable office… Susan Alexandra’s studio is a jewel rainbow heaven. The cloud sky bags lining the floors truly make you feel like you are in a dream. Susan is the sweetest and one of the most creative people I have ever met. Being in her workspace inspired me and left me smiling from ear to ear.
For her interview with Brand Assembly check out The Assemblist
It's important to always stay inspired. Always jot down photoshoot ideas, whether it be models you want to collab with, a makeup story you have an idea for, an object you want to intergrate or locations you want to shoot.
I've had Overthrow Boxing on my list as a location I was dying to shoot at for at least a year. My sister introduced me to Elysse over Instagram and instantly knew she would be perfect for this location shoot. Elysse is a Soul Cycle instructor in Philly and happened to be in the city when our schedules lined up perfectly.
From there I told her what to wear and style her hair for the shoot. Around the boxing studio was Oddfellows Ice Cream (another place on my list) and the mural on Bowery. All locations lended to different vibes, yet weaved together seamlessly as a story.
When I showed up to Boss Babe MAAD's studio space on the second floor of a Brooklyn apartment, I knew instantly this was going to be one of my favorite shoots of the summer.
We started in the studio, but her outfit was made to be shot in the streets.
See and read more about MAAD on Taste the Style
Actor Jesse Metcalfe and I did a shoot during my time during NYFW. A nice break from covering shows, I was able to do some portraiture of Jesse in the Meat Packing District.
The shoot was just for fun for his Instagram and blog. Jesse was full of ideas on where to shoot to get the best lighting and what to incorporate into the photos. We ended over at a cafe, where teenage girls giggled and pointed while I worked. When I paused in between shots, they would rush over and gush, "Aren't you the guy from John Tucker Must Die?" Jesse would smile and nod, which resulted in girls lining up asking to take photos on multiple iPhones for latergrams.
When we wrapped the shoot, he sat down for a drink at the cafe with friend/ model Devon Windsor and Joey Maalouf. "What's up purple lids?" said Jesse to girlfriend Cara Santana as she leaped over and sat on his lap. She giggled right as I clicked the shutter.
Sometimes it's the behind the scenes or the outtakes that make the best shots. The unplanned, in the moment.
Check out Jesse's website for more of the photos.
Jamie and I first met a little over a year ago. I gushed over her new engagement ring over oysters at the Standard Highline Hotel. Which then turned into an impromptu photoshoot in the bathroom
We later collaborated a bunch of times doing work for her blog What The Chung during fashion week and outfit posts.
Jamie contacted me about a piece she was doing for E! News about how to wear a skirt 3 different ways for Macy's. We met at her apartment in BK and roamed around scouting locations for each of the looks. It had begun to rain during the shoot, but Jamie is so incredibly easy to work with and is so photogenic, that it only takes a few seconds before you know you got the shot. Sometimes it's making sure the shirt flows perfectly in the wind, a hand gesture or a giggle that takes the shot from "street style" to lifestyle.
For the full article check out E! News
During NYFW, I popped over to Brooklyn to meet Daria Einhorn of DISA for a photoshoot for TomboyKC.
First off, her place is a photographer's dream. Her home looked like it was a tearsheet from Architectural Digest. Secondly, her line for DISA is about the cutest thing ever. She had packed up all the collection for a pop up show she was having the following week. She opened the boxes and showed me the most adorable bows on coats and seersucker pants for girls and boys.
I suggested we do a shot in her office, which much like the rest of her home it was clean and white to perfection. However, across from her desk was her children's art area. To me that made more of an interesting shot. It exhibited her inspiration for children's clothes more than a shot at her desk with a laptop and phone. We ventured back to her kids playroom to do a playful shot on the bean bag chairs before I headed out. Daria is not only a talented designer, but a inspiration as a mother and caretaker.
"I always wanted to be surrounded by children, they are the coolest and silliest, smartest and illogical creatures for sure."
