Deliberate, Sweet Submission

These photos were shot by an exceptionally talented photographer who goes by the Instagram name, "@thatoneguypaul". 

Please, let me tell you with the utmost confidence: this guy is going to BE somebody someday; I mean really; Paul is the real deal; a naturally talented, groundbreaking artist with a breathtaking and exceedingly beautiful vision. Also, just a really nice dude.

I have never worked with a photographer who was as good a director; he knew exactly how to direct my body into positions that brought the pictures to LIFE. 

For the first time since I've been working with photographers in LA, I completely let myself submit to his direction and milk the shoot HIS way. I followed his lead. He was in control. 

The whole shoot was a beautiful, fluid collaboration: his direction, his location choices; my outfits/accessories, my self-stylizing (hair and makeup).

Fun fact: only minutes before I arrived to the shoot he somehow accidentally broke his go-to lens. This entire shoot was an experiment to see what he could capture with a lens he had never used before.  I'd say he was pretty damn successful. Wouldn't you?

Self-stylized.

www.thatoneguypaul.com

Desert Coyote Elf

The most beautiful pieces of art are conceived when two creative minds, both with passionate visions, collaborate. I met photographer Richie Banks online. Immediately, after viewing each other’s portfolios, we knew we wanted (needed) to collaborate. He had an edge to his work that I liked and appreciated and I knew that he would be able to capture the edge  that I wanted to physically convey. 

He wanted to shoot in the desert… I have ALWAYS wanted to shoot in the desert. 

I was born and raised in Nevada, so the desert feels like home for me. I feel at peace there, all alone, among the Joshua trees and the yellow sand. The minute Richie told me that he wanted to shoot an hour and a half outside LA, to the middle of the desert, I immediately jumped into action and spent an entire day searching for the perfect garments and accessories that would bring my vision of this wild, free-spirited, desert-coyote-elf to life. We spent 10 hours shooting in the desert… 10 HOURS… to capture EXACTLY what we had envisioned: a being that was wild, free, youthful, and raw; no-fucks-given. THIS little elf is a wild animal; a free-spirited desert baby. 

Self-stylized.

www.richiebanks.com

Call Me Mrs. Beetlejuice

This shoot was something else because believe it or not, it started out as a headshot session. Lisa Whitmore, my talented photographer friend, asked me if I would model for her so she could practice getting the hang of shooting headshots; her usual photography specialty is shooting people underwater so headshots are new territory for her.

About 30 minutes into shooting headshots, she wanted to throw in a fan to blow my hair about (not typical for headshots, but I was down to try it out). 

And then she threw a green gel over the light... 

And then a hair light...

And then she asked me, "Wanna throw on a nude latex body suit?" 

And THESE shots are the fruits of our "headshot" session. 

We're already planning our next latex-clad collaboration so keep your eyes peeled. ;)

www.lisawhitmorephoto.com

Baby Doll

As a product of this shoot, the photographer and I wanted to capture the essence of "urban baby doll"... and I must say, I think we did a pretty damn good job. 

These photos were taken by Sonny V of Studio V11. 

"I am one of god's mistakes" is a top from Sonny's clothing line, "Loaded". I loved shooting with Sonny in his incredible DTLA studio, overlooking the entire City of Angels. He has an incredible, confidence-boosting, calming presence and was also an honest BLAST to shoot with; so edgy, inspired, and motivated.

Self-stylized.