Mocha, With a Side of Blue
Some photo sessions begin with an elaborate concept. Others begin with something much simpler: a color, a texture, a feeling.
For this creative portrait session with artist Carmina Vanessa, I knew I wanted the images to feel warm, sculptural and unapologetically focused on her.
The starting point was her skin.
Carmina Vanessa has beautiful, rich skin, and rather than surrounding her with competing colors, I wanted to build a palette that would complement it. I chose a mocha background, creating an almost monochromatic world of warm browns, copper and chocolate tones.
Then came the hair.
That gorgeous copper-red afro became such an important part of the visual story. Against the mocha backdrop, its color and texture gave the portraits another dimension. In some frames, the hair almost becomes a sculpture of its own, while in the closer portraits it beautifully frames her face.
And then, because every monochromatic story deserves a little disruption, we added the blue boots.
The oversized quilted boots brought an unexpected pop of color and a bit of fashion editorial attitude to the session. I loved the contrast between the warm palette and that deep blue. It took the images somewhere more playful without distracting from Carmina herself.
What I love most about this collection is the range.
There is softness and stillness in the close portraits. There is strength in the images that celebrate the shape of her body and the incredible silhouette of her hair. And then there is that final burst of joy, Carmina laughing, moving and simply having fun in front of my camera.
That image may be one of my favorites because it reminds me that a beautiful portrait doesn't always have to be serious.
Sometimes beauty is elegance.
Sometimes it is sensuality.
Sometimes it is confidence.
And sometimes it is simply joy.
We created this series to present for Carmina Vanessa's birthday, which made the session even more special. Rather than simply marking another year, I wanted these photographs to celebrate the woman she is in this moment.
Bold. Creative. Beautiful. Expressive. Completely herself.
And perhaps that is what I love most about creative portraiture. We don't have to wait for a traditional milestone to create something extraordinary.
Sometimes the reason for the photoshoot can simply be:
I want to celebrate who I am right now.
And that is reason enough.
