A New Model Search for a New Idea

I've had this idea in my head for the last 18 months or so. I've kept it to myself because quite frankly I just haven't had the time to cast a model or number of models for the series and sit down and map out an editorial story for it. I still haven't quite nailed down the model for the series yet but I figured I'd get something just to hold me until I do find my model. In comes Kim.

Now if you've read how I carry on about her you would know that she's often described by me as sexy-quirky and she hasn't changed a bit. I had zero plans for her to do any of these looks. Not because she isn't perfect. On the contrary, as you can see she is more than capable. It was to be something of a mashup of beauty mixed with glamour with very dramatic lighting effects. Kim is a perfect blend of extraordinary beauty and glamour. My decision to not use her stems from a need for a new face, variety and simply just the want of something fresh. Forgotten was the fact that here is a stunning capable woman willing and able to do anything I wanted done within reason. Kim would do it not just because I asked but she would also do it to show me that when pushed she could do it. You can't but love those kinds of models.

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Model: Kim Jonet

I still shared the idea with her if for nothing else but bouncing it off someone else. I didn't have a sample pic or anything to show her but I guess after working with me more times than I remember she intuited where I might be headed with it. After a few minutes she pulls up this article of clothing; the one in this pic. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. My first question is always the same. "Have you ever been photographed in this before?" That's kind of a pet peeve of mine in case you didn't know. She said "no. It has been sitting in my closet collecting dust for nearly two years. I just didn't know how to use it or what to use it for. I knew I should have shown it to you before but I kept forgetting it was there. Do you want it?" Is she serious I thought? As if my slack jaw didn't give it away she waited with a sneaky smile for a reply. I think I died and went to heaven again. That's twice in the span of two minutes I think. She was saying all the right things as usual of her.

It was perfect. One of the first things a fashion photographer learns to do is envision how something will look on a particular frame of model. How it fits, how it will hang and hug all flashed through my head within a millisecond. That will dictate the angles and the light setup for maximum effect. I knew Kim would be the one to wear this glorious thing for me. It was just too perfect for her body and if pushed just hard enough, Kim can be immensely expressive and emotive which is what this situation called for.

While she will not likely be my final model for this series, she kicked it off nicely. Her successor has some work to do to follow her. That's for sure. Maybe a dozen or so pics later we're jumping up and down hugging as to how epic it looks. She was happy she got to use the garment and I'm just happy that she's happy. I finally kicked off this series the right way with the right model. 

It ended up being just a test shoot for this a larger idea and it was wildly successful. I've named the series and planned it out but now comes the even harder part. Who will be her successor? I'm starting the hunt right now. 

2015's Greatest Models Part 1

It has been nearly 15 years since we began this process - never perfect but always perfecting and always striving to improve. As one might imagine we've come across more than a handful of talent from the vastly experienced to the person getting in front of the camera for the very first time. Even though we didn't officially publish her this year, she was this year's most popular model by every single measure.

Every blog, every image sharing site, every website and photo-stream where any picture of her appeared went viral. By every metric we could obtain she is the most talked about, most shared, most visited, messaged, emailed, tagged and liked model we've had for the entire year. We could simply post a picture of her and received essays about her beauty. We might share a photo from a recent shoot and get email server errors due to the inbox overflow. She is a phenomena a photographer can only experience to believe.

Kim Jonet
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We simply don't know anyone that doesn't love her. She is kind, patient, flirty, fun, intelligent and incredibly sexy. She has a natural kind of sultriness that can't be duplicated and it emanates from the sites, pages and blogs where she appears.

What impresses us the most is her preparedness, trust and humility. She is always ready. She brings what was agreed upon - sometimes more but never less. She is never boastful or demanding. She is gentle, soft spoken and incredibly humble. She doesn't pretend to know everything despite you knowing there are few things she doesn't know. She will ask you if she needs direction and yet she is confident without arrogance. She is without a doubt one of the most gifted individuals we've worked with over the entirety of our creative careers and most of that stems from a most agreeable personality and an intoxicating visage interlaced with malleable and endless talent.

When you're shooting she truly puts herself in your hands to do your craft. She relinquishes creative control so that you're not inhibited as an artist. In a very real sense, she is yours to command artistically and creatively. She will not argue, complain nor make unnecessary requests. She does not whimper, whine nor cry. She is 100% committed and confident in herself and to her love of modeling but she never takes advantage of people with her obvious enchanting wiles. It makes getting those challenging shots that much more fun and we always get the look we want with Kim.

You can't pay for that kind of trust with anyone else. But even so, you have to earn it; you have to nurture it over multiple photo shoots and collaborations. More importantly, you have to deliver with Kim. Make no mistake, she is there to work and you owe it to her to get it right and never leave her wanting. You'll want to buy her an island, cars, houses and pretty much whatever you can acquire to keep her happy and satiated. But all Kim wants is a great experience, your artistic respect and of course stunning images.

People never ask why we have Kim back again and again and again. They see it in the image. They see our comfort with one another and they can feel our sense of camaraderie. That feeling you feel when you see her, that distinct but fleeting gasp that escapes you when you stand in front of her is a real thing. She will always have a spot on my schedule without even asking for it. She is one of a few who can call at a moment's notice and get whatever it is she wants. For us, she is more than a model; she is a cherished friend and we wish her all the best for 2016. If we're as fortunate as we have been in the past then 2016 will belong almost entirely to her. In a nutshell it means that for 2016 if Kim wants me to shoot with her then she will have the highest priority. What do you say Kim?

10 Years - 10 Best Helios Images - (#7) Countdown

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Model: Kim Jonet

#7 wasn’t that difficult choosing Kim yet again for Best Images of Helios. She continued to bring her intense sultriness to every single look. Even unknown to Kim or myself at the time, we were both channeling “The Night Porter,” a scintillating controversial classic 1974 film by Italian director Liliana Cavani starring Charlotte Rampling.  

Leave it to Kim to get it done and she did it so well. It is Kim’s daring here that made this shot so appealing. I find it one of our most compositionally inviting as it draws you into the scene itself. Styling was spot on perfect and she works it like she was born to it.

Thank you Kim. 

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.

Emote: The Secret to the Best Photographs

You know the photos where the subject looks exactly the same in every single shot; every frame has an identical expression no matter the context? Maybe even you yourself may be on the short end of the lens in situations such as these. The most interesting photographs in portraiture or fashion are those where the subject is able to project emotions. 

What does it mean to emote? Simply put, it means being expressive and relating one’s feelings. If you’re the subject of a photograph or film, you do project emotions through facial expressiveness, eyes and body language all in concert to give the audience a sense of what you’re feeling. While a model or actor may say one thing, their bodies may project or emote something completely different. That is why psychologist and other behavioral scientists dedicate entire branches of study to body language. It is far more telling than anything, including verbal communication.

If you’re looking thru magazines and books you’ve noticed that some people recur in print far more than others.  Are they more photogenic? Are they simply more beautiful or is there some secret they are not telling everyone else? The truth is, they are probably more skilled and practiced at emoting than the average person. That allows them to project any persona or feeling, often times without saying a word. They do it largely from the eyes and then the rest of the body follows.

Occasionally, a client or model very interested in improving and expanding their “looks” ask me for tips. They often complain that they look almost bored in all of their past photographs and have a difficult time conveying a mood, persona or feeling. Often times they simply want to take a better picture. Some people simply feel they are not photogenic. 

Now if you’re a client or model and you’ve worked with me, you know what you’re in for. You’re in for several hours of silliness, trash talk, and some fun conversation. Why? Because that’s my job. I want you to be you. I want you comfortable and at your most relaxed state. I want you to be malleable and open. Above all else, I want you to be silly with me and to trust me. I also want you to be serious when I’m being serious and so on. It’s so much easier for me to give you something to laugh about than for me to ask you to smile. It’s far more genuine and unforced for me to say something serious than to tell you to give me your serious face. Although, I have been accused of asking to “show me your bed-roomy eyes” in order to purposely gain a genuine laugh I can capture. 

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Model: Kim Jonet

When I asked the model featured here for her bed-roomy eyes, she erupted into a hysterical laugh. But immediately, and without pretense I looked serious and said “No, I’m serious.” She immediately stopped laughing and looked at me surprised and said “Really?” with wide eyes. I took the picture. That’s what I wanted; a genuinely surprised, unplanned look which turned out even better than anything I could have hoped for. You can’t fake a look like this no matter how hard you try.

It’s not all on the subject either. Peter Hurley is among the the best head-shot photographers in the business. But it’s not for reasons you might think. It’s not because of his technical skill, his lighting, or equipment. It’s for his ability to get into people’s head and pull out whatever emotion he thinks would make the shot. If you’ve seen him in action he comes across with a bit too much swagger bordering on arrogance. He talks a great deal of trash and seems somewhat dismissive but in a comical way. Yet, the way he interacts with people and what he can get them to express is undeniable and perfect. It’s camaraderie and a synergy that he gets from every client. That’s what makes the shot; not the lights or equipment, but a genuine emotion he captures at just the right moment.

On the other side, Coca Rocha is an extremely well known fashion model. She’s been featured in more magazines and shows than I can name. What I find so remarkable about her is her ability to project sadness, pain, glee, silliness, anger, happiness, reflective, sensual, etc. pretty much any emotion imaginable just in her face. She’s somewhat melodramatic but believable and daring. You believe what she projects is genuine and we buy into the idea and the look. One of my favorite photo shoots of her is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1hilU4X9Gk. She jumps in uninhibited, daring, wild but with purpose and completely unafraid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfl5ZCUgQYM to watch her is an experience all it’s own. I think my camera would explode trying to keep up. Think she’s worried about looking bad? I think not. She’s thinking about getting paid by getting the perfect shot.

It’s a team effort to emote. As the photographer and pretty much the director, I have to provide the context and the motivation. The client/model need only trust and relax, knowing that all will be beyond anything he or she could have hoped for. It really comes down to genuine feelings and letting your guard down. 

I suggest that you go out there and be silly, be serious, be sexy, be contemplative and spontaneous. But above all else, be you.

Kim Jonet for Sircus Magazine