Credits

Photographer: Jason Christopher
Client: GodsDaughter Clothing
Hair and Makeup Artist: Casey Robinson
Model: Jordyn Taylor

Comments from Casey, Jordyn and Jason below, followed by more images. Click on any image to see it larger.

Hair and makeup comments from Casey Robinson:

I have been doing makeup and hair in and around the Los Angeles area for 6 six years, and live in Ventura. And I love my job!

Jordyn  and I met at a hotel across the street from the shoot location. This is very typical for most of my shoots; I often get the model ready to go at a nearby location or a different room, away from the actual set. I had been sent a few pics from the client of what he was looking for ahead of time, so I already had some ideas. When I got to the hotel I met with Jordyn and the client, and we discussed which looks to start with and what would work best for Jordyn, and – most important – what would photograph the best.  Fortunately, the client had chosen very intense looks, so I was confident they would all photograph well. I spent an hour and a half to get the model ready, and then we headed over to the location.  After getting Jordyn in wardrobe, Jason got her into position for the first images. I then step in to make sure her hair is placed properly, and then Jason takes a few pics.  We both step back and discuss what it looks like in the camera, and then move on and let the magic happen. We shot a number of the designer’s T-shirts, and throughout I continued touching up her hair and makeup when necessary. But the last two looks of the day called for very different hair and makeup. We completely changed the look!  I took her long wavy, sexy hair and slicked it back into a very tight bun. I intensified her makeup, and made it even darker and stronger by adding a thick winged-out black liner and very luscious bright red lips. She was transformed into a completely different girl. After seeing the finished images I can really see how successful the shoot was…the pictures are beautiful.

Interview with  model Jordyn Taylor:

We interviewed Jordyn via email about the shoot. When asked about her background, Jordyn says “I’m a singer, model, dancer, actress, spokesperson, host and teacher…I have a passion for singing and have had a lot of doors open for me in the ‘biz’ through music.  I’m kinda like the female version of Ryan Seacrest.”

She has been modeling since she was very young, and these jobs are mostly the result of being in the right place at the right time, when someone approaches her about a modeling job. This particular shoot was no exception: the designer for GodsDaughter found her through Myspace.

When asked how she prepares for such modeling jobs, Jordyn said ” I ate a nice lunch. Food is my motivation!” Not the typical model meal-skipping for her.

The hardest part of modeling, according to Jordyn, is throwing off the concerns of her daily life and getting “in the moment”. Connecting with the photographer and crew is important to her, so she can focus and project herself into the camera. But her favorite part of fashion shoots? “I really enjoy the anticipation of the results. Its amazing what gets caught on camera!”

And what did she think about modeling next to that ledge? “Well I think having a 1 foot wall separating me and the drop off a 40 story building would frighten just about anyone, especially if they are wearing stilettos.  I had the comfort of my father standing just to my side to grab me, if the wind blew to hard.”

Interview with fashion photographer Jason Christopher:

We interviewed Jason by phone about his shoot for GodsDaughter Clothing.  This was Jason’s first time working with the designer, who initially contacting Jason via his website.

The designer arranged for the shoot location, which was atop a ten story building in downtown Los Angeles, in a nightclub that was closed on weekdays. For logistical reasons, Jason wasn’t able to scout the location ahead of time, and so was careful to arrive early the day of the shoot. That way problems could be worked out, and locations and angles picked. As it turned out, the club was a small one, and there were only four or five areas that were suitable for shooting. Fortunately that’s all they needed. And the location’s big selling point, the cityscape view off the open-air patio, was reason enough to shoot there.

The shoot itself was a full day affair, roughly eight hours. Jason started mid-afternoon and went well into the evening, which made capturing the sunset and city lights backdrop views possible.

The designer had arranged for the model as well (recording artist Jordyn Taylor), and Jason wasn’t part of the casting. This can sometimes create a challenge, but a good fashion photographer has to be able to work with all types of models, both in terms of appearance and ability. Fortunately Jason knows what he’s doing, and so did Jordyn!

Jason used two assistants on the shoot, with Casey Robinson doing hair and makeup (see above). He shot “tethered” to a laptop with his Canon 5D Mk II, downloading images so the client could view them as they were taken. Jason prefers to shoot untethered, so he can move around more, but is happy to shoot tethered when the client requests it. Lens choice was primarily a 85mm fixed lens, except for the ‘frosted glass’ image, which was taken with a wide zoom at around 35mm.

The strobes Jason used were Speedotrons. Up to four lights were used for this shoot, specifically on the ‘frosted glass’ shot above. That shot had two strobes firing through the glass to light it up, plus the main light in a medium sized umbrella. A fourth light, with a grid, was aimed at the models’ boots for a little ‘kick’. In other shots, the lighting was much simpler: typically just a medium sized umbrella, with a reflector underneath for fill.

The shot where Jordyn is standing on the table required some maneuvering. Not least because she was near the edge of a ten-story drop! Jason’s assistants stood close by, ready to grab her if she wobbled. From a lighting standpoint, the glass wall had a tendency to reflect the reflector’s image back to the camera, but careful positioning and some trial and error got it positioned just right. This precarious setup, and a disturbing lack of electrical outlets in the club, were the most challenging aspects of the shoot.

Fashion Shoot For Gods Daughter Clothing from Jason Christopher on Vimeo.