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Project: Cosmos
Production: VERTEX
Photographer & Retoucher: Jeff Thomas
Models: Jen Thomas & Kalila Sorrell
Makeup Artist: Meagan Brown
Hairstylist: Gary Baker & Renee Africa
Behind the Scenes & PA: Colton Brandt
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Cosmos – A Futuristic Fashion Photoshoot
As work has picked up, commercial shoots have taken over my schedule pretty heavily — no complaints there. But it does get challenging during those times when I’m feeling inspired to create but time and schedules don’t allow for it. However, when a week long Indiana shoot got postponed, I figured there was no better time to work on a personal assignment.
I really wanted to do a shoot that featured multiple models and focused on something abstract. After a very heavy commercial year, it was a great opportunity to experiment and play around. I partnered with my makeup artist, Meagan Brown as well as Gary Baker, creative director for Unite who was the hair stylist for the shoot. There wasn’t a set concept at the beginning, because when you have a group of people combining ideas together, it’s effective to utilize the skill sets of others and gradually things start to develop organically. Not having 100% direction allows for improvement and flexibility.
I bought $1,000 worth of clothing for this shoot in order to take the style in any direction I felt like. When I was getting the outfits together I knew I wanted a more editorial look. Once Meagan started painting the model’s neck with metallic powder that lead me to want to create something with a more futuristic aesthetic.
For these personal shoots, I try to push my own abilities. My goal is always to accomplish something I haven’t done before. It’s easy to photograph and make a beautiful model look gorgeous or recreate something I’ve shot before, but I want to go beyond that. Naturally, I’m attracted to abstract things. Ideally I want someone to enjoy the photography but also question how it was created or why.
In the end the reason for shooting these personal projects is not about being seen. It’s because I need to. I create to have fun and satisfy my inner desire. Personal shoots are critical for me because it’s how I continue to redefine my style. Often times when I’m being considered by a client, I’m hired because of the unique vision of the VERTEX brand. It’s a snowball effect. With commercial shoots, it can be challenging due to budgets, meeting expectations, and strict guidelines. So by pushing the limit on my own, I am confident that I can pull off anything a client desires.
– Jeff Thomas
Cosmos – Photoshoot | Behind the Scenes
