Gorgeous Light/Dark Fashion Shoot | Chicago Fashion Editorial

chicago creative fashion with emily doyle from ford models photo

Loni Hale, a good friend of mine and makeup artist for Factor teamed up with me to shoot a fashion editorial based on Light and Darkness. Using a truly talented Ford model (Emily Doyle), hair textures, strongly stylized clothing, unexpected accessories, and makeup techniques we transformed the models into different people with every look. We really had fun exploring the different ways to play with these concepts, and came up with a nice variety of images. One of the most enjoyable parts for me was designing the color palettes alongside the mood and concept. I also really enjoyed how the single model in this shoot looks like at least three different women. It speaks to Loni’s talent when she can use makeup as a tool to transform a woman. It’s amazing how much you can aesthetically control and manipulate people. Scroll down to check out all of the different results from our shoot!

 

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Steampunk Inspired Photoshoot | Hazy Leather | Chicago Fashion Editorial

emily gualdoni photography steampunk photography for dark beauty magazine photo

There is something about the steampunk aesthetic that will always be timeless. The accents, the details, and the highlights present in the theme will always be around, and will always be just strange enough to stand out yet belong to an idea at the same time. I enjoy capturing timelessness in my work, and in such alternative and edge atmospheres I play with the many ways to bring that concept to life in a time of its own. This series focuses on the softer edges of what is considered an abrasive style. Its sensual, its delicate, yet it simultaneously exonerates strength and power.

 

Title: Hazy Leather
Photographer – Emily Gualdoni
Makeup and Hair – Kate Johnson
Prop Stylist – Adriana Amarei Soleim
Wadrobe/Accessory Designer – Rachel Frank
Models – Nasreen with Agency Galatea

 

“Hazy Leather” was published in Dark Beauty Magazine. To view the issue, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/DBM_31

 

emily gualdoni photography steampunk photography for dark beauty magazine photoemily gualdoni photography steampunk photography for dark beauty magazine photo

emily gualdoni photography steampunk photography for dark beauty magazine photoemily gualdoni photography steampunk photography for dark beauty magazine photo

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Published in Dark Beauty Magazine | Lichtenstein’s Heroines | Chicago Fashion Photographer

emily gualdoni photographyl for dark beauty magazine photo

 

I recently had the opportunity to work with one of my oldest and best friends, Brittany on a collaborative project which was published in Dark Beauty Magazine. Brittany Bindrim is an extremely talented illustrator, together we wanted to make photographs using her drawings in a way where the two art mediums collided and became one.  I absolutely loved how this creative fashion photoshoot turned out. We wanted to bring illustration to life while introducing a surreal imagination and dreamlike graphical fantasy to the reality of photography. The title came from the inspiration, the post-war sexist romance cartoons that Lichtenstein ironically used in his work. Drowning Girl, in particular, had the most influence. The talented models with the help of the creative team swim out of the tide to display a strong presence and feminine dominance throughout the images.

The day of the shoot was a long and busy one. Luckily, our team was on point all day and the final outcome really reflects the hard work that went into the shoot. There was a lot of testing involved, both for lighting and clothing. Brittany and I chose to be very selective with the clothing in order to make sure our models fit the theme, and the lighting had to be consistent no matter what the model was doing, just like in a drawing. There were a lot of adjustments made throughout the shoot, but each tweak was worth it.

The Defibrillator Gallery in Wicker Park included Lichtenstein’s Heroines in their Personal Project show. Brittany and I had decided to enter it before the series was even completed. We thought our combined passions joining into one work was a great match for the theme of the show. It was a roaring success! The place was packed, and we dominated an entire wall. We received countless compliments on the series that night, and almost the entire team came to see the finished installation. We all worked so hard on this, it was wonderful to celebrate its completion together in such a fun way (fueled by gallery wine of course).

Keep scrolling to see the images from Lichtenstein’s Heroines.

Title: Lichtenstein’s Heroines
Photography: Emily Gualdoni
Mural/Set: Brittany Bindrim
Art Direction: Emily Gualdoni & Brittany Bindrim
Makeup: Loni Hale
Hair: Liza Espinoza Achurra
Wardrobe Styling: Caitlin Eucker
Models: Juni Park, Selena, & Clara Rae
Photographer assistant – Kaitlyn Hope Polles

 

Brittany (the illustrator) and I at the Defibrillator Gallery

chicago creative fashion shoot

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ransporting the mural to my studio was quite the challenge. We had to be so careful not rip or wrinkle it.

chicago creative fashion shoot

 

BTS from the day of the shoot. Photos taken by Kaitlyn Polles.

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The full editorial that was published dark beauty magazine.

emily gualdoni photography published in dark beauty magazine photo

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Emily Gualdoni Published in LX Magazine | Bridal Photography

emily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photo

Not too long ago I was commissioned by LX Magazine to do a bridal fashion shoot. It was a great experience, partially because they don’t normally do bridal work and run their artist spotlight “Behind the Lens” features infrequently. After having worked with LX before, the beautiful and talented Loni Hale recommended me, leading them to approach me about the project. The shoot they followed me through was a fun, all day affair of dresses, glamor, and feathers, and you can see the results in the images below. What you see are the actual spreads that were printed in the magazine. You’ll also find a transcription of a the published interview, and after the spreads you can read parts of the interview that weren’t included.

 

LX: The images have a very definite look and feel to them. Even if one didn’t know you shot them all, it’s readily evident the same photographer did. In other words, you have a clearly identifiable style. How did you develop it? How has it evolved since you began photographing?
Emily Gualdoni: I’ve always had this in me. Over the years I’ve just been fine tuning it. But, having said that, I’ve never been a very “technical” photographer. I do things intuitively, which I suppose gives me more of a distinct style.I want someone to look at my photography and see pieces of art without focusing on the elements of the image. I feel I’ve accomplished a successful shoot when someone can look and think; “Wow, that’s just beautiful.” and maybe not even be able to explain why. I’ve always found it fascinating when you look at an image and have to wonder if it’s a painting or if it’s a photograph. I incorporate this into my efforts first by creating beautiful lighting and then polishing the resulting photos with a clean—but light—edit.

LX: This work is quite striking. It’s like the images are black and white—but in color. Did you see that before you did the shoot?
E.G.: Contrast was one of my main ideas when putting together this shoot. I really wanted the beautiful gowns to pop out, but while remaining very simple and elegant. I think it makes these photographs more fascinating when, at first glance, you think you’re looking at some black and white photos. But then, when your eyes take in the skin and hair, you realize they are color photographs.

LX: Looking at your work, one can see your vision is reflective of haute couture. Is fashion the foundation of your entire photographic approach?
E.G.: I love coming up with a concept and gathering the right team around me to execute the vision and create a piece of art. I have a hard time expressing myself with words, but people can get to know me by just looking at my work. I like inspiring people with things they haven’t seen before. Fashion photography interests me because you have control over the outcome. Instead of waiting for a moment to happen, you create it.

LX: How does that inform or affect your wedding work?
E.G.: I make my wedding clients feel beautiful, glamorous, confident and ideally like they have a little fashion model in them as well. It’s their wedding day, they should experience it feeling exceptionally attractive. Within that, I also want to reflect their personalities. So while I try to glamorize the images as much as possible, I also make sure I capture the personalities of the subjects—along with the overall beauty and joyousness associated with the time.

LX: With that said, how do you unobtrusively capture a wedding day?
E.G.: When I’m photographing the couple or the wedding party for posed portraits, I relax everyone with humor. I let them see my dorky/goofy side. This humanizes the situation and loosens them up so rather than focusing on the camera, they relax and enjoy being in the moment. During the reception, I use my telephoto lens to photograph people from a distance so they don’t realize it because people tend to get a bit nervous when they know they’re being photographed. The act differently than they would normally. With these techniques, I can easily capture their love, fun and friendship. Meanwhile, they remain completely unaware I’m doing it.
Published in LX Magazine

emily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photo

emily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photo

emily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photoemily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photo

emily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photoemily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photoemily gualdoni photography published in lx magazine photo

 

LX: What is the theme you were after with this shoot? How did that drive the choices of wardrobe, lighting, makeup and etc?
We wanted a  create an editorial/ commercial shoot that had elements of a fairy tale making it look like a piece of art rather than two models wearing gowns against a backdrop. We tried achieving this by using dramatic lighting, extravagant gowns, contoured makeup, flowing hair, a few added props, and models who could evoke emotion with their posing.  Along with the fairy tale theme we wanted to incorporate the different cultural regions by using different Scandinavian and Mediterranean inspired gowns. We wanted to show that some of the styles of the gowns were more structured while others were more ethereal and flowy. We wanted simple, straight hair to not distract from the dresses but added a fan to the hair in some of them to go along with the ethereal/flowy feel.

LX: How are these images lit?
They were shot on a black muslin backdrop so the black would be as rich as possible and wouldn’t reflect any kind of light. I used two very tall white boards on the left side to bounce a little light off from the strip box that was on the right side. They were positioned to maintain contrast. There was a strobe with barn doors placed behind the model on the left side to highlight the hair and create a nice separation between the model and backdrop. A beauty dish was overhead giving the overall face and upper body a dramatic and contoured effect. I used another strobe with an umbrella diffuser in the front aimed downwards to light up the details at the bottom of the dresses.

LX: Please describe in detail the process you went through to create these images. Walk me through from the very first conversation about the assignment through all of the moving parts of conceptualizing with your stylist, makeup, wardrobe, hair and crew.
Loni, the makeup artist originally contacted me about the project. She had previously worked with Jon on another project and once she heard that this one involved fashion/wedding photography she instantly thought of me. Typically the makeup artist usually doesn’t have too much input into what the models will be wearing but Loni was inspired by a European fashion show on TV that highlighted different wedding gowns from various cultural regions. She approached me with this and the ideas started flowing. Loni got in contact with the wardrobe stylist and expressed her inspiration to her.  I have always been intrigued by photos that have an element of fantasy to them. I did some research and was inspired by a few other editorials online and really enjoyed the dramatic contrast between the white gown and dark background. The feathers added in some of the photos made to look like petals just give it a little bit more of fantasy feel. We then all met in person and tossed our ideas around and picked out the models together that we felt suited the shoot. The wardrobe stylist then went to the bridal boutique and kept what we had talked about in mind and picked the dress out.  We felt like an art director was unnecessary because between the three of us we had a pretty clear idea and direction of what we wanted.

LX: What did you see in these particular models that made them right for the shoot?
My team and I really wanted women with long hair to create a dramatic fantasy effect along with strong facial features. We also wanted one of the girls to look more Scandinavian with blond hair and fair skin and the other to look more exotic and Mediterranean with darker features.

LX: Describe your dream assignment.
I love highly conceptualized shoots where there are no rules or boundaries and you can let your imagination run wild. Working with a full team of artists who are talented and have the same vision is also very important so you can bounce ideas each other and feed off one another’s energy. I would love to shoot a fashion editorial for Vogue and create not just a pretty picture but a visual masterpiece where every little detail was very well thought out and takes the viewer into another realm in their imagination. Creating visual fairy tales is my passion. Taking your vision and translating it to something that someone can physically hold and touch separates a true artist from an imposter.

LX: Your dad gave you your first camera…was he a photographer too? What did he shoot? How did he encourage your career choice aside from placing the camera in your hands?
My dad used to travel a lot overseas for fun and document his adventures. He really enjoyed taking pictures of the beautiful architecture  and capturing the small moments with my mom. At home, my dad would photograph random subjects that he thought was interesting whether it was of their cat at the time, nature, landscapes or portraits. My dad actually received his masters in history but always found photography intriguing. Although photography was never his profession, he always kept his 35 mm readily available and once I expressed an interest in photography, he encouraged it and let me use it whenever I felt inspired. My parents have always been very emotionally supportive of my photography and has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. They always have and still take the time to listen to my excitement about every single shoot and view my work and give me constructive criticism. I have always known since second grade when I sat inside at recess to draw a photo that I wanted my life to be consumed with art. It wasn’t until I had access to a camera that I knew I wanted photography specifically to be my life.

 

Here are some additional shots that didn’t make it to the magazine.

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Steel Reserve | Futuristic/Retro Shoot | Chicago Fashion Editorial with Clara Rae

I absolutely loved photographing gorgeous and unique faced, Clara Rae in this futuristic/retro Chicago fashion editorial shoot. The whole creative team had such great chemistry and a strong vision. The end result was published in two well-known fashion magazines. Keep reading to find out about all the details.

Back in September I worked on a shoot that I designed to challenge myself into going farther than I normally do. My aesthetic goal was incorporate both retro and futuristic themes without them contradicting each other. The makeup, the hats, the hair, it all alludes to the 1920’s while rocketing the look into the future with the use of edgy color, heavily textured and metallic backgrounds, dynamic lighting, alternative shooting, all with an overall gist of beauty, darkness, and strength. My model for the shoot, Clara, emotionally expressed these themes flawlessly. It was the first time I worked with her, and the way she moves was so fitting. Towards the bottom of this post I have a video that was filmed that day to give you a look of what it was like to be there. You can see for yourself this way just how well the atmosphere came together.
This was also the first time I collaborated with a nail artist. Ashley Crowe aka “Astrowifey” went above and beyond my expectations. She designed the most beautiful nails on the spot that perfectly matched our theme. Sharp, holographic, and exploding out of the box. I think this was one of the details that really helped rocket the shoot further. This was also the first time I built as many extravagant sets as I did. Using primarily metal and plastic materials, I had a blast mounting, hanging, collaging, and putting together these tiny worlds. I made 6 sets in total.
One of the best parts of this shoot was how it all came together after it was over. I enjoyed the editing process on such a dynamic look. I used a lot of alternative shooting methods so almost all of the crazy things you see in the photos are actually done in person using only in-camera editing. The biggest challenge here was balancing the light sources from a projector and standard strobes. On top of that it was published by two magazines. Glassbook featured it as one of their online editorials and Ashley Crowe had it published in Tipsy Magazine, a nail art mag that gave it a huge spread. I can’t thank my team enough for making this one such a good experience.

Here’s my team for that day and their websites:
Photographer: Emily Gualdoni
Hair Stylist / Makeup Artist: Kat DeJesus
Manicurist / Nail Artist: Ashley Crowe
Wardrobe Stylist: Sararose Krenger
Wardrobe Designer: Stix and Roses
Accessory Designer: Rachel Frank (Hats were vintage)
Model: Clara Rae
Photographer assistants – Kaitlyn Hope Polles and Rio Wray

And here is the awesome behind the scenes video filmed by Brendan Leahy / Digital Skylight