Wilhelmina Model Test Shoot with Abigael

Model Test Shoot with Wilhelmina LA: Abigael Boivin
Photography: Charlie Sin | Make Up & Hair: Shu Zhang | Stylist: Lori Lyu | Model: Abigael Boivin
October 30th, 2020
Concept:
When a model agent reaches out to me with potential test models, I try to envision what kind of concept will look good on him or her. Without any direction, I have a hard time in a photoshoot trying to find out what I want. Well, that's why we do test shoot in order to be more comfortable and get better what works and doesn't. Back to the topic. When I saw Abigael's polaroids, she had a charismatic eyes but soft look due to her youthful age. So I wanted to do edgy dark mood to show that charismatic side I see on her and a fairy-like soft look.
In order to get what I want, I had to do mix lighting because the studio we are working has a nice window light but with only natural light, it is hard to get the edgy-ness we want. Therefore, we had to use a strobe and open up the shutter enough to get that nice natural light to peak into the the image. Then it is all for Make up Artist and Stylist to add the magic to the scene.
Behind the Scene
I am glad to have a creative team with me whom I can trust to do their parts. We all have different taste in artistries but that's what I like about working with team because they have their own unique skillset.
As you can see for lighting, I am using a Profoto D2 with beauty dish with a grid and flag off the window light with 4x4 flag to separate the natural light on the model. Only natural light are shown in the background. This way, I can make the background lighter or darker with shutter speed. I am more of technical photographer than a visual photographer. I try to get my lighting and basic done correctly. Maybe that's what I do product and fashion. HAHA.

Thanks to wonderful stylist and make up artist, the Visual I wanted worked out!
Outtakes:




