pRIZE 2
SPRING 2013
FROM THE EDITOR
As a passionate fashion photographer, I find myself constantly surfing the media, submerging myself in the emotional roller coaster blended with inspiration, amazement, curiosity, disbelief, and sometimes even jealousy. Whatever the feelings I get in that moment, it keeps feeding my bottomless hunger towards what I can only describe as ‘love’. It took a while for me to discover this, but once there…oh, it was good. A photographer can synthesize a limitless range of creativity and unique shooting style to create his or her work. Hair and makeup artists can masterfully tinker a form of art using only a few elementary tools one learns to use as a young child. A stylist and designers somehow balance the most clashing pieces of fabric to create something so beautiful. In whatever forms suitable, people are inspiring, affecting, and even changing lives through their creativity. This is what makes ‘art’ so remarkable. Amid all this, I noticed one thing amongst the ‘mainstream’ media: redundancy. In this ever-growing digital world, hundreds of photographers are born every day. New pieces of inspiring fashion pieces are created every minute. Ideas are formed every second by the countless number of talents. Yet, it’s the select photographers you see on cover of a major magazine. Or it’s the familiar brands playing significant roles during Fashion Week with a pinch of fresh names every year. Perhaps this is how all industries work, but this industry, fused with so many levels of ingenuity, needs to go beyond ‘safe’ and expose as much talent as possible so that we can continue to be inspired in ways we haven’t even discovered yet. And through pRIZE, we hope to get a little closer to this farfetched ambition.
Tak Takei Editor-in-Chief
WWW. P-RIZE.COM
CONTENTS
3
PALE SHELTER by Khoa Bui
61
IMAGINATION
by Marta Bevacqua
11
UNLEASHED
69
HYDRANGEAS
19
INTERVIEW
77
IN FULL BLOSSOM
85
L’AMOUR PERDU
93
INTERVIEW
BLACK WIDOW
21
by Tatiana Gerusova
with photographer Tatiana Gerusova
WILSHIRE MOTEL
by Benjo Arwas
by Sabine Liewald
by Giorgio Murru
by Marta elena Vassilakis
31
HIDDEN HERITAGE
39
MUSE
95
49
NETWALK
105
59
INTERVIEW
115
by Yan Bleney
by Kate Strucka
by Anton Bundenko
with photographer Hannes Casper
with photographer Jose Rosado
by John Hong
GREASED
by Aaron Michael
SPARKLES CAN KILL by Jan Carlo Cerilla
Editor In Chief Tak Takei editor@p-rize.com Creative Director Alessandro Babini alessandro@p-rize.com Assistants Krystell Barraza content krystell@p-rize.com Erin Forsythe design erin@p-rize.com Contributing Editor TrickyMaus Creative
Feather vest / Emil Couture Earrings / Glynneth B Shoes / ZiGiny
Pale Shelter Photography: Khoa Bui Styling: Rafael Linares Makeup: Dana Delaney Hair: Sarah Dougherty Model: Ester @ Kismet MGMT
Coat / Thrive Lingerie / Seven ‘til Midnight Necklace, bracelet and ring / Glynneth B Shoes / ZiGiny
Dress / Emil Couture Cuff / Glynneth B
Skirt / Emil Couture Cuffs / Glynneth B Shoes / Ziginy
Coat / Thrive Sunglasses / Prada Jewelry / Glynneth B
Swarovski Corset / Emil Couture Scarf / Beija Earrings / Glynneth B
unleashed
Photography: Tatiana Gerusova Styling/Makeup: Kacy Owens Model: Kacy Owenst Clothing: Vintage
THE INTERVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHER TATIANA GERUSOVA INTERVIEWED BY TAK TAKEI
How long have you been doing photography? I have been shooting steady for about two years. I remember attending one of the workshops in LA for the first time just to have a slight idea. However photography, especially black and white, always fascinated me since my childhood when I was assisting my father and working in his dark room. I was always interested in art. After graduating from Art School years ago, I started painting, drawing, wood carving etc. But one day something changed and I realized what I was missing and what made my heart race. So I started to shoot. So in the past two years of your photography journey, what elements did you enjoy the most? What did you dislike (if any) the most? I definitely loved meeting so many talented people whom I learned so much from as well. I also experimented a lot with black and white and absolutely can say it’s my favorite! I can’t think of anything I disliked. Everything is a part of the learning process. Negative experiences were as appreciated as the good ones. How has the photography industry been changing over the course of the last few years? Have you found yourself adapting to the ever changing environment? Interesting question. It all changes constantly: from tricks and means, to styles and looks. There are more fancy tools, for example. I started shooting in a digital world but I still love using my 40 year old Mamiya. Emotions that film brings can never be replaced digitally if that makes any sense. As for me, I prefer one bag of equipment and a right attitude. That’s all I need. What factors have helped you grow as a photographer the most in your mind? Constant self-education is very important to me especially when certain aspects of the industry change so quickly. I love to study light especially natural lighting. I love to practice bringing more story, more emotions out from a simple photograph. Most of the time I get an idea or vision in my mind right before I start falling asleep and then good luck having a good night’s rest but I love it. Also, studying work of the greatest photographers helps me concentrate on something that I need to improve in my work. To be honest I don’t think I can fully answer this question. I just feel something about this that I cannot put in writing. So how do you exactly “study” lighting? Or study the work of other great photographers? Experimenting with lighting is fun and at times a bit frustrating (still way more fun though). It’s amazing to see how the mood changes with a slight change of the lighting (or even natural light and its cold or warm tones), whether you want to add dramatic mood with dark shadows or make it light and soft with a well-lit subject. I definitely am still learning different techniques and actual equipment (as I mentioned before, I’m more of a one bag shooter; simple sets are more fun for me but I definitely expending my horizons with each shoot).
Can you tell me a bit about your favorite story/spread that you’ve done? What do you like about it? I fully enjoy almost all of my shoots but the one that was something I have never done and was super exciting was my floating living room shoot a.k.a. Through the Spy Glass with very talented Amanda Jones. A friend of mine, Colter, let me use his cool “boat” and tremendously helped me navigating around it in the middle of the lake and shooting Amanda from different angles. Even the ducks were having fun getting very close to her. After we were done, our boat died so the living room towed us back to the land. It was a lot of fun, especially when you have such a great team and a sunny day.
“I prefer one bag of equipment and a right attitude. That’s all I need.”
On Him: Jacket / Opening Ceremony Shirt / Alexander McQueen Shoe / Unif On Her: Dress / Vintage Jenny Lewis
Wilshire Motel
Photography: Marta elena Vassilakis Styling: Kat Ford Makeup: Anna Branson Hair: Anh Co Tran for The Rex Agency Models: Dylan Fosket @ Kismet Model Management Chaun @ Next Models Los Angeles
Shirt / Alexander McQueen Jacket / Opening Ceremony Pants / stylist
On Him: Pants / stylist Belt / Chrome Hearts On Her Dress / stylist
On Her: Dress / Merona For Target On Him: Coat / Vintage Saga Fox Suspender / Lad Musician Pants / stylist
On Her: Dress / Vintage Jenny Lewis Bangle / Chrome Hearts On Him: Shirt / Alexander McQueen Jacket / Opening Ceremony
On Him: Shirt / Alexander McQueen Jacket / Opening Ceremony
On Him: Shirt / Alexander McQueen Gloves / Odin On Her: Jacket / Vintage Bill Blass Cummberbund / Robert Geller
HIDDEN HERITAGE
Photography : Yan Bleney Styling : Thao Nguyen Makeup : Catherine Lavoie @ GlossAgency Hair : Laurie Deraps Producer: Bleney Studio Model : Eve @ NextPost
Top / Topshop Bracelets / Aldo Rings / FreakArt Earrings / Aldo Necklace / stylist
Top / Juicy Couture Sequin collar / H&M Earrings on collar / stylist Necklace / FreakArt Ring / FreakArt Meshed gloves / stylist Shorts / Hendrix&Cash Stockings / stylist
Tank / Topshop Top / Hendrix&Cash Rings / FreakArt, Topshop & Aldo Bracelets / Aldo Necklace / FreakArt
Hat / Topshop Earrings / Aldo Dress / Hendrix&Cash Bra / Hendrix&Cash Necklace / Topshop
Blouse / Hendrix&Cash Sweater / Lauren Moshi Bow necklace / stylist Long necklace / FreakArt Bracelets / Aldo Rings / FreakArt Belt / stylist
Blouse / MaxMara Skirt / Hendrix&Cash Necklace / FreakArt Belt / stylist Bracelets / Aldo Rings / FreakArt
Hat / Aldo Earrings / Aldo Dress / Hendrix&Cash Jacket / Sandro Spike headband / Aldo Earrings on collar / stylist
MUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY: KATE STRUCKA STYLING: PSZCZORMANI MAKEUP: ALEKSANDRA BYRA HAIR: LUKE SIENKO MODEL: MARTYNA @ ECMANAGEMENT
Skirt / River Island Head Accessories / Expose Akcesoria Gloves / Glitter Ring / Glitter
Collar / Glitter Shirt / Robert Kupisz Skirt / Fanfaronada Gloves 足/ vintage Ring / H&M Shoes / H&M
Suit / Zarahead Accessories / Expose Akcesoria Watch / Lolita Accessories Bracelet / Glitter Ring / H&M
Shirt / River Island Collar / Glitter Bag / Glitter
Top / Marita Bobko
Bag / Glitter Shawl / Glitter Necklace / Lolita Accessories Tights / Conte
Dress / Marita Bobko Collar / Glitter
NET WALK PHOTOGRAPHY: ANTON BUNDENKO STYLING: DASHA LITVINOVA & ANNA KOVTUN MAKEUP: DARYA SHEVCHENKO MODEL: MARINA METELKINA
THE INTERVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHER HANNES CASPER INTERVIEWED BY TAK TAKEI
“To be honest I’m not thinking about what I’m doing. I just do it.”
Hannes you have a wide variety of amazing images that capture beauty in its simplest forms. What are your main ingredients of inspiration?
Not only the eroticism but also the sensualtily and vulnerability. Although they are naked the images are like portraits.
Most important inspiration is the daily life. But of course I’m looking at many pictures in the internet or in books which flow into my work. What fascinates me is making the aura of a person visible with just a few means. Often the small details tell the story like little facial expression changes but also different light situations.
So how do you achieve the stories you’re looling to tell? How do you direct and communicate with the models?
Do you have any photographers you look up to? Well, of course there are some photographers I really respect like Paolo Roversi, Steven Klein, Jock Sturges, Nadav Kander, etc. Not only for their work they do but rather their ability to organize themselves perfectly. In the end this is an important fact to be successful.
I’m kind of a chatterbox. When I see something which I find interesting, I try to bring it up However, I don’t have any concrete plans so I do everything by instinct. Feeling the beauty is not a rational matter but rather just a spontaneous moment you should feel. So I guess there is no concept. Are there certain factors you need to consider when shooting nude that you normally don’t?
Do you have any core principles for what you do?
Not really. Of course there are some poses which look more flattering or interesting than others, but that’s a matter of experience. You just have to find out.
To be honest I’m not thinking about what I’m doing. I just do it.
What has been the most memorable shoot you’ve had?
So I’d like to get a little into nude work. You really have beautiful series of nude photography. What are some of the reasons why you get drawn into them?
There are so many. It’s really hard to select, but when I think hard, everything seems to be quite unspectacular actually. I guess that shootings in general sounds more exciting than it is in fact. In the end it’s just a profession. But a profession with passion.
I just love the body of women. It’s exciting to see what a body can express.
Imagination Photography: Marta Bevacqua Styling: Cecilia Gioetti Makeup: Serena Palma Model: Aleksandra @ Brave
Dress / Stella Jean Belt / Stella Jean Flowers / stylist
Shirt / Stella Jean Capris / Stella Jean Necklace / stylist Shoes / Lacoste
Shirt / Co|Te Jumper / TShirterie Headpiece / Stella Jean
Jacket / Stella Jean Dress / Mirco Giovannini Knitting / Mirco Giovannini Scarf & bracelets / stylist Ring / Ottoman
Dress / Stella Jean Bracelet / Stella Jean Bracelet / Coliac
HYDRANGEAS PHOTOGRAPHY: BENJO ARWAS STYLING: RAQUEL CRISPIM MAKEUP: KATIA REN HAIR: DAVIDE PEREIRA PALOS ASSISTANT: SIDNEY KRAEMER MODEL: INES Z. @ MADEMOISELLE, PARIS
Dress / Paco Rabanne Sunglasses 足/ Mykita
Shirts / Cotelac Pants / Cotelac Shoes / Walter Steiger Sunglasses 足/ Mykita
Dress 足/ Clarisse Hieraix Head Gear / Manish Arora Jewelry /足 Philippe Audibert Shoes / Walter Steiger
Dress / Paco Rabanne Bracelets / Phillipe Audibert
Photography: Sabine Liewald Styling & Production: Sabine Berlipp Makeup & Hair: Sascha Schuette @ Tune Management Model: Jelena @ Model Management Hamburg
Skirt / Villa Gaia Top / Naf Naf Shoes / Prada von Herkenrath
Pants / Edith & Ella Blouse / Department 5 Bag & Scarf / Barbour Gloves / Roeckl Sunglasses / Mykita Shoes / Prada von Herkenrath
Skirt / Susanne Bommer Blouse / Joie Scarf / Ra-Re Shoes / Prada von Herkenrath
Dress / Schumacher Scarf / Roda Gloves / Roeckl
Top / Lacoste Pants / Hugo Shoes / Liid von Sanctum
Dress / Cinque
Pants / Amsel Blouse / Noa Noa Glasses / Six Million Glasses Bag / George, Gina & Lucy
L’amour perdu Photography: Giorgio Murru Styling: Stacey Moors Makeup: Freya Danson-Hatcher Hair: Brady Lea Model: Mimi D @ Premier
Dress / Tour De Force Gloves / Meera Sharma
Dress / Tour De Force Gloves / Meera Sharma
Bra / La Perla Briefs / Wolford Leather sleeves / McQ Alexander McQueen
Dress / Moschino
Glasses / Linda Farrow Leather body / Una Burke
THE INTERVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHER JOSE ROSADO INTERVIEWED BY TAK TAKEI What made you go the route of a business/MBA to begin with? In high school I unfortunately wasn’t exactly a model student, as I cared more about parties and girls than schoolwork. Yet, in college I realized school can be quite fulfilling and ended up doing well, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Advertising. My senior year I had some electives and took an Intro to Photography class with my little HP R707 P&S and fell in love with it. However, at the time I saw it as more hobby than career. After doing well in college I decided to keep the momentum going and go to grad school. My father, whom I always sought out for advice about big decisions, advised I look into an MBA to broaden myself from my Advertising undergrad degree. Once in grad school I decided I wanted to be a model photographer and started shooting friends of mine. Unfortunately, I graduated college during the economic downturn then graduated from grad school at the height of the recession; causing photography to become my career pretty much out of necessity. Call it fate or just dumb luck that the only jobs I could get were for photography, so I went along with it under the impression I’d do it until I got a “normal” job; yet seven years later here I am. However, I do consider myself lucky that I got my MBA in Marketing when I did because it helped me market my work and keep myself afloat during the harsh economic climate and for that I’m thankful. Why the switch to photography? Was it quite difficult?
Well, as I had mentioned I didn’t even really get the big break in the business world I had hoped for. I always had great interviews with some wellknown names like HESS Corporate, Bank of America Corporate, Morgan Stanley, AOL Time-Warner (now simply Aol.), and TFS, a desk on Wall St. All these interviews went great with call backs for 2nd and 3rd interviews but never ultimately hired. Yet, I’d always leave my business card behind and let them know to keep me in mind for headshots or any photo work they needed. What’s funny is that is what got me started with my first decent paying gigs in corporate work. Seems as though being of a business background made me easier to relate to than your typical right brain artist. Guess in the end I should be thanking them for turning me down, as I really love the place I’m at now in my career. So how has it been in the past 7 years of your unexpected journey as a photographer? Were the waves of highs and lows pretty volatile? Any stories you could share? Well just as you said, it’s definitely been a roller coaster ride with high highs and low lows. It’s the familiar freelance mindset of ‘feast then famine’ in terms of work and income coming in. I’ve had a really tough period after I graduated grad school when I quit my studio job and moved from NY back to Philadelphia in an attempt to make a life change and see what I could do with getting a ‘normal’ job and shooting on the side.
when needed. Like anything else though, it’s all about moderation – sitting at home simply refreshing the Facebook home page can really be detrimental to your overall well being, believe me I know. However, Facebook business pages have come a long way and as with most ideas, sheer coolness can only get you so far, and you have to come up with ways to monetize said cool idea. A lot of people have been up in arms about Facebook and it’s new promotion practices costing us money; yet, as a business it’s understandable and sometimes you have to pay to play, just like a lot of things in business. What’s your favorite social media you’ve been able to leverage?
Unfortunately, it was still a tough climate economically and no matter how many doors I knocked on and interviews I aced companies were constantly downsizing and putting hiring freezes in place. During this time, photography was slow and it was tough mentally and emotionally going from the craziness of working two jobs and going to grad school full-time to seemingly having nothing to do and money running out. This time lasted for some two years, but as tough as it was I valued that rough period because it built my character and in that time I learned a lot of things about myself, got into different kinds of photography; some I hated and some I never thought I’d enjoy but became new passions, and even took up cycling as a hobby that I still enjoy to this day as a sort of two-wheel therapy. So I guess in a way, as dark as that period was if I could go back and do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing. Photography is a life-long passion for that very reason, there will be dark times and low periods, but the great highs make it all worthwhile.
I definitely would have to say Facebook for the reasons mentioned before but also because even with all the new companies popping up recently like 500px, Pheed, Google +, and of course Instagram, that it recently purchased, it’s still around and competitive hate it or love it. While some of the other sites/apps aren’t quite competition in the strictest sense, there still on Facebook’s radar for obvious reasons as Facebook is first and foremost a photo sharing website at it’s core. Especially in a time when there’s a flood of social media causing the market to be oversaturated, Facebook has done a pretty fair job at integrating other sites/apps like Tumblr, Instagram, Flickr, Twitter and such. This is course helps when we want to update a lot of our social media accounts without having to spend all day doing so, which is definitely feasible with all that us photographers find ourselves keeping content current on these days.
Did you find your business background help with the marketing aspect of photography? Oh tremendously so! I touched upon some points briefly before, but really it just boils down to knowing the importance of face-to-face interactions and relating to people. One thing I always do when working with corporate clients is tell them that I always hold a pre-production meeting to meet, introduce ourselves, and go over shoot details along with any questions/ concerns they may have. It’s surprising how many bids I’ve won simply by not phoning or emailing it in like so many others. For me, it was simply knowing that meeting in person gave me more of a chance to leave a lasting impression with people. Whenever I wait in someone’s office I make sure to take in all the details of what they have around; maybe they happen to have the same alma mater as me or into the same hobbies such as cycling, where we could relate to these things letting the conversation naturally progress. I soon realized that it also showed an attention to detail most people don’t claim to have time for anymore nowadays, with our immersion into social media and communication devices like email, Skype, texting and so on. While all these things are helpful in the way we communicate with one another, it simply elevates face-to-face contact that much more. What do you think of all the social media nowadays? Has that been helpful? Is it too much? Well as you can probably assume from my last point, I do find it to at times be a bit too much. And believe me, I’m not going to lie, I’ve been just as guilty as anyone for Instagraming my way throughout a day ignoring people around me with my phone in front of my face. However, I do think that overall it’s very helpful especially for bringing people around the country and world together. For me, I travel a lot for work and personal stuff and always make it a point to meet up with fellow photographer friends that I know through Facebook to hangout, shoot or even for a place to crash
So speaking of Facebook, what are some of the ways you’ve been able to leverage Facebook for your photography business? Afraid there isn’t any inspirational story or magical workflow here so much as just playing by the same rules Facebook has just like anyone else. Making sure posts are sticky and informative, engaging people and making them want to participate, asking industry related questions for people’s input, and running some low budget short-term ads to drive up more traffic.
PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN HONG MAKEUP: JOLISA JACKSON HAIR: DANIEL GRAVEL @ DANIEL GRAVEL SALON MODEL: AVRIL G. @ KISMET MGMT CLOTHING BY SKINGRAFT
GREASED Photography: Aaron Michael Styling: Oksana Anel Makeup: Marie Jilson Hair: Linh Phan @ Be Scene Hair Studio Models: Melanie Blankenship @ Modelogic Wilhelmina and Mason O’Sullivan
Jacket / Rag&Bone Dress / Lela Rose Gloves / Yves Saint Laurent Necklace / Kenneth Jay Scarf / Lanvin
Swimsuit top / Melissa Obadash Sweater / Jonathan Sounders Skirt / Michael Van Der Ham Shoes / Charlotte Olympia Sunglasses / Illesteva Earrings / Dolce & Gabbana
Dress / Lela Rose Belt / Donna Karan Earrings / Dolce & Gabbana
Outfit and Accessories / Miu Miu Shoes / Jil Sander
Dress / Lela Rose Belt / Donna Karan Shoes / Valentino Earrings / Dolce & Gabbana
SPAR KLES CAN KILL Photography: Jan Carlo Cerilla Styling: Ivanna Goldenberg Makeup: Cherry Le Hair: Ester Rojas Model: Andrea @ Muse NYC
Top / Bebe Underwear / H&M
Blouse / vintage Shorts / Asos Necklace / Topshop
Dress / Martine Sitbon Fur vest / vintage Bracelet / vintage
Top / Asos
Jumpsuit / Free People Necklace / vintage
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