He’s not a model, but has style, taste, and a chiseled jawline doesn’t hurt either.
Our last photoshoot of the year on the street seems fitting. Wrapped up in peacoat, we took to the streets of Soho for an early morning wander. As I’m nearing 40 I’m realizing more and more how not everyone is up for a crack of dawn photo walk. Apparently, we’re not all Edmund Hillary, who knew? Give me good light, hell, even just decent light and no foot traffic on the streets and I’ll create something for your grandchildren to enjoy.
Alex wasn’t looking that far down the line, but certainly something to stand out. An old friend, iconic composer and director of Iceberg New Music, a contemporary music collective, we raced against the heightening and brightening of the light at 7am. Clouded overcast before an oncoming rainy winter storm gave us diffuse early morning light on the empty streets. Perfect.
Contrary to how I make photographs in the studio, on the street I’m spry and fast. Quick setup, pose, adjust the outfit, hair and makeup, chitter chatter, a few snaps and we’re on to our next location. Let’s go, try this, try that. When it’s a commercial shoot, permits have been filed, the whole lighting crew has been hired, then we can take our time. This was not that. This was, “grab the suitcase, we’ve got to keep moving.”
There’s a reason why every scenic photographer loves an evening golden hour… warm contrasty light in every direction. Point, click, and there’s a good chance you’ve got a winner in one of your snaps. What’s not to like? The worn-down professionals are the ones who make it work in any light, or in our case the break of dawn.
It’s December in these shots, and to no one’s surprise, the city of New York is mobbed with Holiday inhabitants. It’s not to say that I don’t like people, but I don’t particularly like them in my street style portraits, or I’m going to use them as subject matter. So as luck would have it, most people tend not to be on the streets of a blustery NYC at 7:15am.
The real dilemma for every photographer that’s worked with any human,… how is your client/subject going to react on set, or in this case on the street? Photographing professional models, is easy. They know their body. Any Joe Schmoe can point a camera at them, and with decent light, get a good photo. Ever been to a red-carpet event? Narcissists are the opposite side of the spectrum of which I could easily digress, but let’s keep it short and positive, shall we?
So, right, Alex is not a model, 3% body fat, chiseled jawline and doesn’t really know how his body works, check. And that’s not a slam against him, most people don’t. When was the last time you thought about sitting, the act of composing yourself in a chair? Yes, composed. Were you relaxed, engaged with another person? How did you hold your morning cup of coffee? Did you blot your face with a napkin, or smear the paper across your lips? How did you put your glasses on? Did you race to shove them on, or gently place them? Etc. All of these little details… that’s photography.
This is where Soho gives you that boost. Everything looks good. She’s that model with those unwavering good looks. With the kind of flatter diffuse lighting for the background, I got an assist to spend time chatting and coaching. If you look at all these shots, their captures of him looking off into the distance, soft gaze into the camera, or a soft expression. Nothing too over the top, nothing crazy, just a bit of intensity and soft light. Simple.
I’ll say it again, simple is hard. Working with anyone is hard. Sometimes it’s often best to just get out of the way and see where things go. And honestly, we just don’t have time for a full-on lesson. Must keep moving.
It’s 8:15 and the city is coming alive with speed. More trucks, more people, no more birds, just the sounds of car exhausts and running into early morning dog walkers. Alex manages to dig through and find 5 outfits that suit his slender body and marketing needs, as Soho guides us through her cobblestoned streets like Tenzing did with Hillary. That’s right, New York is my Everest.
We wandered up and concluded at the peak of a boulder outside of the Ralph Lauren store. A fitting end for this journey and analogy. A top the boulder Alex relaxed with his Nike kicks, we said our goodbyes and then I kicked it off to my 10am meeting in Union Square, and that was a wrap.
