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
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.
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.
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
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.
I was overjoyed to hear that this NYFW season I was going to be one of Tumblr's creators. Alongside GIF makers, illustrators and fellow photographers, I would be able to create imagery unique and different from past seasons. With the access to all shows and encouragement to shoot anything I want, anyway I want, Tumblr allowed me to shoot passion projects and take the time to edit and finalize them before sharing.
You can see all my posts during NYFW on my tumblr
https://smallgirlbiglens.tumblr.com/
I am finally catching up on my blog coverage from NYFW. I figured I would combine all my T Magazine coverage into one post.
I shot the always envelope pushing Eckhaus Latta. Located in Bushwick warehouse, models sported see through outfits, slicked back hair and green clay swiped on their arms and body. I created one of my favorite bodies of work - hence the separation omy website. It felt different than my past NYFW coverage and I felt it was strong enough to stand alone as a unique reportage of the show and designer's creative outlook.
Definitely a contrast to Oscar de la Renta. Held at Sotherby's, the location alone expresses the difference in the designers aesthetic. Splatter paint dresses, sequins and pant suits graced the halls and escalator entrance of the runway. Bella was certainly the star as photographer's flocked her getting her makeup done. Nicki Minaj, Paris and Nikki Hilton, and Zosia Mamet were in attendance alongside Anna Wintour.
Lastly, I wrapped my T Magazine coverage with Carolina Herrera. She hosted the first ever fashion show at the MOMA. Iconic. The bright bold color collection accompanied the greens in the garden. Lily Aldridge, Cameron Dallas andMichelle Monaghan sat front row in support of the designer. Models dressed and prepped amongst the greatest pieces of art and installations in their I heart NY t-shirts.
For more ... check out T Magazine's New York Fashion Week Recap and Favorite's from Fashion Month
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.
For more check out the article on T Magazine
I'm honored to have 5 photos included in
alongside my incredible peers.
Photos taken at Jason Wu, Proenza Schouler, Ryan Roche and Sies Marjan
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.
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.
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'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
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.
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 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
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
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 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.
Fellow backstage photographer Nina Westervelt and I backstage at Brock Collection.
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
