My Inspiration

photo: tony duran "Blue" Australia 

The photo pictured is a tear from my portfolio. I am pictured with Jon and Matt of Elite Models Chicago. I started modeling professionally at the age of 16, signed with Eleanor Moore (Now Moore creative). 

Modeling wasn't what I expected. I was a student in art school, taking photography classes myself. I didn't think about ever being in front of the camera. It wasn't until I was booked for this shoot with photographer Tony Duran that I really understood what was so appealing to me about "Fashion" Photography. 

Tony sat me down while we had breakfast and told me that I was an actor. I was invoking a feeling to create a moment, an image that was pure fantasy. Everything fashion stood for was image creation. We get up in the morning, dress ourselves and project to the world the character we want to play. It is essential to our lives. As a woman I can put on a dress and play demure or sexy, throw on some jeans and be simple and pretty. I was in control of the image I projected. I was the player. He was just there to observe and capture the moment as I projected it. I took his words to heart and began to compose in my mind the person I wanted  him to capture.

I studied him as he worked. Watched him move and create an image. I asked him questions constantly wanting to know his process. Never tiring of my inquisitions he spouted terms and phrases in my direction I didn't understand completely as I drank in his passion for the medium. He checked his watch cursing the time of day, and explained how he wanted his shots "in the best light" explaining the "golden hour". We rushed from location to location racing the sun and he sang his demands while the three of us eagerly complied. The images from this shoot are timeless. 

Tony still inspires me today. I look to his work and strive to demonstrate the same level of fantasy in my images. The fantasy and connection. The trust the models have for him and his work, knowing that he will make the ruse a little more real in that captured moment. His work continues to be timeless and beautiful. Please check out more of his work here: 

http://www.tonyduran.net