Okay, after almost nine years of creating Genlux, you'd think I'd have it down by now. Nope, it happens every time. About the last week before we go to press and I spend about 18 to 21 hours a day (unfortunately I'm not exaggerating) writing, retouching, designing, fine tuning and getting the pages ready for our printer. This week from Monday to Friday and I had 12 hours of sleep...total. But, I'm not moaning or complaining—I love every second of building this book. By the way, thanks for your input on the cover. I'm really not big on creating by committee but I appreciate the opinion of those who chimed in. Here is the final that you'll see in Barnes and Noble from coast to coast.
Here's the beautiful cover by photographer Marc Baptiste and stylist Lisa Cera. She's wearing Valentino and Rahaminov earrings. I decided to reverse the copy—looks cleaner. I LOVE typography and Futura has been one of my perennial favorites.
There are so many great editorials in this issue. Returning photographers Tracey Morris (she shot three stories), Marc Baptiste, Louiza Vick, and then three first-time in Genlux photographers: Masha Matsava, Andreea Radutoiu, and Karolina Amberville. I'll share my favorite images over the next few days and then upload the entire stories soon. First up, one from Louiza Vick...
Stylist Tiffani Chynel did a great job of creating a six-page centered on scarves and jewelry. One of the things I enjoy doing is coming up with headlines for our fashion stories. Our new intern Emily Hassard did a good job of coming up with a few for this issue.
Louiza Vick is one of my favorite shooters. This was our fourth or fifth story together. She's so kind, relaxed, low key, polite and works well with others. She's also super quiet on the set.
Funny story: The first time we worked with Louiza, she kind of scared us. She came to the shoot without an assistant, so naturally our first thoughts were that she wasn't a pro. Most pro shooters use at least one assistant, some use two, and some, like Erik Almas, will use three.
So there we were on location and she's moving and struggling with all of this lighting equipment. (And you have to understand, she's a tiny thing). So Camille Clark, the makeup artist, and I looked kept giving each other the side eye—thinking the same thing—Oh, no! This poor girl doesn't know what she's doing. What we were really afraid of was that we wouldn't get good shots. But she showed us!! Her shots were brilliant. I have to add that the entire team that day was genius.
Anyway, back to Louiza Vick, she's an awesome shooter who gets the shots, every time! I believe one of the keys to Louiza's success is working with a great post-production artist—an artist who knows how to work beautifully on skin. Never that overly-retouched look that we hate.
Love this pose. The tilt of the head. The hand is perfect. The jewelry is beautifully lit.
Love this pose (above). The tilt of the head. The hand is perfect. The jewelry is beautifully lit. (Sometimes it's hard to shoot for both jewelry and the face—depends on the reflective quality of the pieces) These happened to work perfectly. Look at the quality of the light on the silver surfaces—beautiful. Awesome makeup. The model is Iti Armpalu. She's only about 5' 7" so not ideal for high fashion but her face size and structure is great for beauty.
Great styling by Tiffani Chynel! I get so excited when I see a great image like this. The model has a perfect expression of being in the moment-between-the-moments. Sometimes it's great to shoot a model when she's unaware that you're shooting her. Like you say, 'Okay, relax, I have to change my lens.' Those are the moments that make great shots.