From the Stage to the Studio
Brittney and I have known each other for many years. We went to high school together, competed and performed together in our dance company, and eventually becoming consistent collaborators on photography projects. Brittney has always been an upbeat, energetic creative mind who is always open to new ideas. She’s been a major contributor to my artistic journey. Let’s take a look at some of the photos we’ve taken over the years.
My First Ever Studio Photography Client (2016)
In 2016, eager to transition from wedding photography to portraits, I teamed up with my high school friend Brittney for a studio shoot. It was my first time using a studio, and Brittney was a natural in front of the camera. We had a blast improvising with makeshift lighting and backgrounds, resulting in some truly unique portraits that showcased Brittney's charisma and my newfound studio skills.
Round Two in the Studio (2017)
The following year, we revisited studio portraits, this time with professional equipment. We kept the shoot simple, focusing on lighting that highlighted Brittney's hairstyle, fashion, and rich skin tone. Her confidence as a model had blossomed, and she effortlessly experimented with poses and used her eyes to create captivating images. Her background as a dancer clearly made her a natural in front of the camera.
The Start of the Halloween Tradition (2020)
My photography evolved between 2017 and 2020, embracing conceptual, editorial, and fashion styles. This led me to the world of cosplay, and Halloween provided the perfect opportunity for a Thriller-inspired shoot with Brittney. She channeled the iconic Michael Jackson look, complete with the red leather jacket and werewolf eyes, and our friend Noah joined in as her "date" for the final scene.
The Storm Cosplay (2021)
The following year, we doubled-down on the Halloween shoots with a cosplay of Marvel’s Storm. This time, we wanted to make it a bit more dramatic and emphasized with a bit of photoshop editing of Storm’s powers conjuring lightning from the sky. I’m proud of this shoot because I was able to put my “cgi” skills to the test.
Creative Birthday Celebrations
For Brittney's birthday, we ditched the standard photoshoot and embraced a themed approach, inspired by her Scorpio astrological sign. The shoot featured a vibrant flamenco pink color scheme, a feather scarf, and creative graphic editing, resulting in a unique and bold project that remains a favorite of mine. This shoot serves as a reminder to always push creative boundaries with clients and create timeless, personalized images.
Halloween Celebrity Shoots (2022)
Paying homage to incredible R&B artists throughout history. Toni Braxton, Beyoncé, & SZA. We set up multiple shoots to recreate these iconic album covers: Toni Braxton’s Self-Titled Album, Beyoncé’s Dangerously In Love, and SZA’s CTRL Album. Brittney came prepared with the accurate clothing and hairstyles for each look. For Toni’s, it was a straightforward shoot focusing on that classic Hollywood-style lighting. For Beyoncé’s, we had to make the crystals sparkle with light and some post-processing work to complete the look. Finally, for SZA’s, we shot this one outdoors at our local park in order to match the scene and add in the computers in the background during editing.
Paparazzi Photoshoot
For Brittney's second birthday shoot, we embraced a paparazzi theme, with her channeling a celebrity incognito. She donned a chic black leather beret, fur gloves, shades, red lipstick, and jewelry, and we even photoshopped in a crowd of paparazzi. However, the look was so sharp and stylish that we ended up taking regular portraits to showcase her fashion sense.
Disney Villains
Cruella & Maleficent (2023)
The Halloween tradition continued with a more ambitious theme, Disney. We chose two villains for Brittney to embody in a way that feels elegant and sinister. With Maleficent, I fashioned together some green string lights around a magic staff from the prop store. Brittney brought the horns and dress with beautiful mascara, and we ventured into the twilight darkness of our local park. With some fun CGI edits of lightning, fire, and a creepy castle, we managed to bring Maleficent to life.
For Cruella, we went for a subtle approach. Focusing on her hair and wardrobe, Brittney struck her poses downtown to bring out the devilish energy of her character. Composition and modeling were our bread and butter for this shoot. And of course, we really wanted to bring Dalmatians into the shoot, so we did so the only way we could with a little imagination and some photoshop work.
Rockstar Britt Bratt
Brittney's rockstar spirit shines through in this shoot, a celebration of her bold, edgy style. From the matching fur hat and boots to the leather jacket and skirt, every detail screams "Gothpunk" - ripped stockings, studded belt, and a touch of whimsy with a giant balloon, electric guitar, and teddy bear bag. This simple yet powerful concept captures her creative style perfectly.
