The Making of a Photo Shoot Part 2: It's not about the hair.

In my last post, I shared how my initial inspiration for a photoshoot came from my Goldwell Master Colorist class.  I wanted a look that was hard-edged and funky but beautiful all at the same time - and used collages and lots of research to fine tune my vision.  

But lucky me, my greatest inspiration ended up coming from the models themselves.  I had a  fortuitous meeting right in my neighborhood with Dhruv and Julissa, introduced them to my awesome colleague Kat, and had a killer team right off the bat.  

I loved each of my models’ personal styles, so I asked them to do their own makeup the day of the shoot, knowing I could  touch up their looks for continuity on the set.  I gave guidelines for what clothes I wanted them to bring, and then I started scavenging my closet.  I also had an ah-ha moment when I realized my hoarding tendencies have really just been preparing me for photoshoots.  Save for a new crown I purchased, all the clothes, accessories and props I brought were from my own ”collection!”  

On the day of the photoshoot, I picked up my model squad and we headed to the Brick Bottom Studios in Somerville.  Lee (the photographer I found on Instagram) and Sussan who are the minds behind OLPCreative (http://olpcreative.com/)  have this incredible living and working space.  We’d already had a creative brainstorming session where we discussed ideas and came up with a plan for the day.  Lee would photograph each model in front of a black backdrop to showcase their hair, and then we would do group shots utilizing some props.  Prop inspiration came from all sorts of places - everything from clothes, accessories, a crown and some tootsie pops, as well as a chair from Sussan’s mother and some paintings I borrowed from my friend, UnCuttart.  www.uncuttart.com

It was an amazing day.  To see my vision come to life was breathtaking.  I was calm and excited all at once, and enjoyed every minute of it.  It felt like Lee, Sussan and I had been working together forever, and best of all, my models totally killed it.  They were so comfortable in front of the camera and barely needed direction.  I joked, “geez, I’m a good model scout,” but knew I lucked out with the raw talent that Julissa, Dhruv, and Kat each brought to the table. It was beautiful to watch them come alive on camera and see their souls shine through.  

After the shoot, life got back to business as usual while I waited for the images, with a packed schedule at the salon.

And then a text came from a number I didn’t recognize.  

“hello! it’s dhruv. just wanted to thank you for a good shoot and stuff, I realized I hadn't got your number and was speaking through Julissa. thanks for an environment in which I could be myself too.  that was much appreciated.”

Dhruv’s kind words made me grateful and emotional all at once.  I know I am fortunate not to have to go through life feeling like I can’t always be who I am.  

I responded … “hi Dhruv! thank YOU! you helped make my vision come to life - it was such a wonderful experience working w you both.  i’m so excited to see the images… and that’s so nice to hear also about the environment..I feel like everything I’m thinking to say seems trite rn - but I mean it - stay true to yourself. cause your self is dope as hell.”

I’ve certainly had moments, or periods of time that I have felt uncomfortable in my life.  In the sense of not feeling like I was able to truly be myself.  These moments are far and few between.  I go though most of my life feeling comfortable and confident to be who I am.  Something that I take so for granted. This is my norm.  

I’m grateful that my parents and family raised me in a world where this was the norm.  I can thank all of my fellow Burners, for showing me at Burning Man, that self expression can take many forms and all are welcome and worthy.  I’m so accustomed to being in this bubble where this is the norm, that perhaps I didn’t realize, that it really isn’t the norm.  

I ask Dhruv to share a few words about their experience, since they were so key in making the shoot a success.

From Dhruv:

I’m not a huge believer in fate, but I am a huge fan of when things line up so perfectly it feels almost like magic. First, the factors in play: me, someone who has always wanted to model but is too attached to my admittedly completely ostentatious hair to tone it down for the sake of a shoot, and also too brown, queer and radical-looking to fit most normal commercial shoots (although this does seem to be changing!). Also, Julissa, a friend I had only just made, an aesthetic polymorph if there ever was one. Their wigs and outfits make iconic looks that span the entire spectrum of colour and every possible form. And finally, Alexandra, walking past my apartment staring at me and Julissa like every other Bostonian we had ever encountered. Even when she approaches, “I love your hair!”, I think nothing of it. But the conversation develops, past the hair and the looks, and sure enough the seeds are in place for the best possible outcome of any passing interaction: creative collaboration!

I’m thankful that everyone I interacted with through the whole process didn’t need much explanation or justification for why I am the way I am, relieved that I didn’t have to exhaust myself emotionally in order to do justice to my own sense of self when I am a part of an artistic creation, and elated that I got to take that to the next level in the studio, channeling Alexandra’s vision through my own personality and of course, the enormous blue mane that she glammed up with professional ease. It’s so easy to write off non-binary identities as a kooky millennial thing, but the thousands of years of multicultural history of gender non-conforming people and the droves of understanding and supportive artists, academics, and everyday people of today push forward the possibility of more experiences like this one was: warm, welcoming, fun, productive and very rewarding to look back at and appreciate the results.

Thanks Dhruv - I’m lucky to have found such great muses!  

Inspiration can come to us from unexpected places - a class or an assignment, or maybe a porch stoop and some new friends.  The key is to stay open to receive the inspiration.  I’ve enjoyed sharing the results - and the process! - with everyone on my blog, and am looking forward to the next great project.