Photographing the "Saint Lolita" runway collection!

Ugh, man. This day. I’m sort of reeling from the Philando Castile news and the implications of that on my city, and our country. I just got home from the Capitol protest and march, and I’m mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. I need some distance from all that, so rather than just run away from those feelings, I decided to get back at my desk and work. Work is therapeutic for me. Nothing balances my serotonin like productivity. 

I’m riffling through some work I’ve been wanting to share and came across this collections of images from a fashion event held in Minneapolis a couple of years ago. The Steemit tie in here is that the entire event and collection was designed by Teaser by Yuli, the designer I collaborated with for years and talked about at length in my previous post, “Reflecting on my first editorial fashion shoot w/ Teaser by Yuli”. One of the models in this collection is Trisha Lynn, recently featured in my post “A collection of photos w/ Trisha Lynn!”, and the handsome fella at the bottom is our very own @bryanpolitte.

This runway show was for Yuli’s “Saint Lolita” collection. She asked me to photograph the event and although this isn’t my specialty, I was excited to try and capture the best images I could. Yuli and I had a special relationship at the time. We were collaborators on so many projects that shook up the fashion industry in Minneapolis, and we managed to do so from outside the “agency world”. We had a deep mutual respect for one another as creative forces and I’d seen this collection coming together for an entire year before the event.

It was exceptional. Nothing short of awe inspiring, showing off more than two dozen dresses, and entire collection of mens wear, and packed house of hundreds at the Amsterdam bar in St. Paul. Everything was thought out to the smallest detail. The bags for VIP guests sitting on their chairs with their names and a flower from the Lolita collection. It was brilliant. All the traits that I came to love and admire of Yuli’s production. If it wasn’t perfect, she wouldn’t put her name on it. 

From a photography point of view, this was a challenge. It was dark and the models moved fast and bold. I used as slow of a shutter release as I could safely manage and a 1600ISO at ƒ/1.4 with a 50mm lens. It worked for the most part, although I ended up with far more missed exposures than print worthy photos. Yuli did give me the perfect place to shoot, right at the end of the runway with the best lighting the venue could offer.

This was a much needed break so thank you for reading and giving me a chance to share this story and work. I post daily so for more photography, art, illustration and thoughts on life, follow me @kommienezuspadt!

Sort:  

@kommienezuspadt these images are captured perfectly. There's hardly any motion blur and the lighting is spot on. I think people underestimate just how hard photographing one of these shows really is! Nice work. Followed and upvoted. Feel free to check out some of my latest photos too as I share excerpts from @myday

Thank you very much @myday. Yeah, low light situations like this are tough to shoot, especially when the models turn so quickly. It reminds me of the years I've spent photographing bands and live event photography. I'll go check your work out now.

Cheers. Thanks @kommienezuspadt. I would be interested to hear your comments as I think my style of photography is very different to your incredible work. I look forward to your next post.

He's right, what most people don't notice is the technical aspect of photography that you've mastered.

These aren't selfies.

This post received a 30% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @kommienezuspadt! For more information, click here!

Very nice

Thank you @djohan!

great post! and ouch, sounds like a rough gig technically wise, like the colors! I'm new here, just did two post, check out my pics.

Yeah, low light and fast models is a tough combination @ogmatador! Thanks. I'll check out your work now. Welcome to the blockchain!

Yeah for sure, I don't do too much low light, I'm on the MFT system, I do have access to my brother's A7s which is beast lo low light but AF a bit slow. Anyways , love the pictures.

@kommienezuspadt Very nice! That looks like it would have been fun to photograph! :)

Yeah, Yuli set me up with a great place to shoot and everyone looked incredible. I've had worse jobs @jeffhiedeman! :P

Beautiful.

Good to post...good luck

Being from India, the dresses look pretty scandalous to me. However, being a world citizen and an artist, they're a bold expression of the designer. Thanks for sharing :)

Yeah, I'm sure these look scandalous from an Indian point of view. They're pretty scandalous for the US as well. Thanks for the comment @beautifuldevil!

A fashion show shoot - amazing. The details of the dresses captured in the photos is just fantastic. It is certainly not easy to take pictures in varying light conditions of a fashion show but you have done an awsome job. I hope to try this some day.

Am more into wildlife and nature photography as well as travel. If you want to see some of my work, you are welcome to visit my blogs.
Upvoted and followed you.

I feel the same way about wildlife photography @vm2904. I've never done it but would like to try one day. Thanks for the kind words about the work. I'll check out your photography now.

Thanks. Would be honored if you follow my blogs and leave comments to guide me

These photos are eye candies... it's a delight,. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for stopping by @arnel!

You're welcome... will be checking for more. :)

You did a fantastic job capturing these girls. I love how doll-like they appear. Such a beautiful collection from Yuli.

Thank you @teighlor! They do look doll-like. Get your introduction post made so I can upvote and follow you! Welcome to Steemit! :P

nicely taken pictures
and really beautiful dresses
keep up the good work
upvoted

Thank you @bindia! I will!

Beautiful dresses really. I wonder how I would look wearing the last dress (man)!!

I'm not really sure how to reply to that one @siddartha, lol

What is easier for you @kommienezuspadt, on set shooting or a runway show like this? You are good at both.

Upvoted, resteemed & DPS. Please state if you would want to be featured in the “Daily Photo Selection” with a linked photo, or with link only without a photo. We are making a list of photographers who are ready to improve the visibility of their work through the DPS.

I definitely prefer shooting on set. I can be a control freak sometimes during my set shoots @photo-trail. I have zero control in situations like this. I'd love to be featured in DPS. Link and photo would be awesome.

Awesome photos. beautiful

Wow! Fantastic models :)

Thanks @jameshsmitharts! They're all exceptional.

The girl in the red and white outfit with dark hair... Wow.. She inspires me. I've been planning to do a Steampunk Jezebell digital illustration. I might base the design on her :) I would have to make the outfit more Victorian with a few gadgets.

I looove the clothing. And I think you've edited these pictures very well, it fits the style.

your pix definitely make it feel like I was there (but w/ an even better viewpoint than I'd likely have secured)!

Very beautiful photographs! I like the 'tears' at some of the girls.
Some may look a bit like barbie doll, but I suppose that was the intention?

Thanks @edje! Yeah, that effect with the make-up was intentional.

Very nice!

Thanks very much @bagrajaca! I appreciate the comment.