10 Years - 10 Best Helios Images - (#3) Countdown

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Model: Karleena Gore

It was only the second time in all my years of photography and design that I had chosen a car interior as my shooting space. This photo session was part of a larger editorial series that had to be cut short due to some extraordinary circumstances. 

Yet in concert with a beautiful and talented model, the light, the pose and the unusual dynamics afforded by the shooting space, this image easily made to the #3 spot as best of the best 10 images we’ve done in the last decade. 

Her car radiator literally exploded in the parking lot. I was so happy that she made it all the way to my driveway. Heaven forbid that she would be stranded alongside the freeway. Despite everything she literally made it to my doorstep. She was understandably distracted and completely rattled, terrified and nervous about what to do next. After hours of phone calls, tow trucks and mechanics we still decided to do something while we waited on the mechanics assessment of the damage. Despite not coming back to finish what we started, I will forever be appreciate that she could look and be so composed after such an event. 

Like many shoots, I had my own problems to deal with that the models and other people onset are seldom aware of. I had rented equipment, lenses, props as well as a second camera for the second phase of three phases of the shoot that we never saw. I was out of hundreds of dollars myself so you might say this is a $700 shot by itself. Given how it turned out it looks like much much more than that in all it’s glorious sexy elegance. I can only imagine what we might have accomplished given the full shoot. 

In the end, I got her home safe and sound while the mechanics continued to do what they needed to do to her car. It was one of the most memorable photo shoots I’ve had to say the least. It would be great to have her back to finish what we started but I am certain the experience struck fear into her and this side of Washington may have yet to see her again. 

Thank you for a wonderful time despite the challenges Karleena. You’re a real trooper.

10 Years - 10 Best Helios Images - (#8) Countdown

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Model: Kim Jonet

Image #8 represents a slight departure from our norm. Despite not being a glamour photographer, I'd had a few of such shoots under my belt. But I'd deemed this as something more than that. Categorically speaking, as far as genres go this has all the makings of the risqué flavor that currently epitomizes the glamour genre unlike glamour of the past. But this felt different. It felt more connected to me somehow. It was more real and personable than just flagrant nudity or breast visibility. It is tasteful and yet sinfully teasing.

I credit every bit of it to the model. She was simply perfect for the look. Her ability to intensify and project a connection thru the lens was/is incredible. Unlike any model I have ever photographed to this very day, Kim is by far the sexiest; not sexy in the act of having sex kind of way - but sexy when a woman is comfortable with herself and she exudes confidence and an awareness about her body; an awareness I'd never seen. It was not arousing but it was intoxicating and alluring all the same. Clothed or unclothed, multi-layered fabrics or scantily clad, Kim is enchanting and jaw dropping beautiful.

I'd like to say it's about the lighting, the grainy noire black and white finish but it's not; at least not entirely. I think she made this image her own. She took ownership of the look and that easily puts her into our forever Top 10 Best Images list.

High Key Fashion Capture

It wasn't the original intent; that is, to do this capture in high key. But after seeing her in this bebe cocktail dress it became inevitable.

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Such phenomenal skin beckoning a white on white scene so as to keep the distractions minimal and focus chiefly on the model (as if that would be a problem); and do to such a nearly flawless caramel complexion, even against white on white that dress screamed with it's silvery highlights and accompanying silver heels.

This was a three light setup if memory serves and I didn't spend a great deal of time pining over the metering. Amazing how that happens; those on the fly captures giving even more than I could ever have imagined.

It certainly doesn't hurt that she's beautiful; being next to flawless.