exposure

Bahamian pop artist Keeya shoots new visuals for "Hella Good" single

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Keeya and her team met with me a few weeks back communicating that they needed "sexy, fun and hype" images for the artist's new single titled "Hella' Good." We were sitting in Starbucks and upon hearing the song, I was amped and ready to go! I loved the track, especially the lyrics and immediately, I began to visualize the images in my head.

Her energy and artsy demeanor meant that I'd have a creative range with the set and images, plus knowing I'd work with my good friend and stylist, Lavonne Alexis of ShoptheCC meant that the wardrobe would be pin-point creative!

Popop Studios, Nassau, The Bahamas, was the perfect canvas to which we'd shoot Keeya and using props like inflatable flamingos (Luxury Floats Bahamas), tea party sets (The Tea Room) and a simple mattress meant that we'd have a storyboard fitting to the song lyrics. Keeya's edgy look only added to each frame and with a monster team, we banged out look after look like it were frames from an action movie.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO!

LISTEN TO "HELLA GOOD" by KEEYA

Rain Check Editorial with Atalanta Schulenberg

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I remember, just recently, shooting portraits of designer Theodore Elyett. It was on the set when I previewed his latest collection and found myself itching to see the remaining pieces. The patterns combined with his use of color and texture screamed for a photoshoot. I approached Theo about the idea and he jumped with excitement, the prelude to this "Rain Check" editorial.

We planned for weeks what we were going to shoot, who the team would be and where we would shoot it. The only thing missing was a muse to bring it all together. At the time, it didn't occur to me that the perfect subject was waiting for me to ask her about photographing her. Atalanta was a student at the Lyford Cay International School, introduced to me by one of the development coordinators. She was tall, awkward with a fashion frame that my eye knew would be great for Theo's pieces.

No fitting prior to the shoot was made. We introduced the team beforehand and with the location finalized, we were ready for shoot day! The team had not seen the location before shoot but they were amazed at how amazing it was despite the overcast skies. Once we began to shoot, it was like waving a magic wand at each look. Just earlier, Atalanta said to me that she was nervous and that I'd have to direct her a lot but I knew her awkwardness would make the shots great. She'd never done a professional photo shoot before but she gave us effortless posing, frame after frame in designer pieces that fit her like they were made for her in the first place.

Please enjoy this editorial spread and our BTS video displaying amazing pieces from designer Theodore Elyett worn by our model Atalanta.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

Uptown Downtown with Kara Mac

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I'm really excited to finally get these "uptown downtown" images out having visited LA for the first time over 2 years ago. While in LA, I got the chance to work with a few models, Kara being one of them. She was actually suggested to me by the MUA as it was her daughter and she said that Kara had done beauty pageants, but was a passionate dancer. Now, I love dancers, dance actually; its such an amazing art form so I jumped at the chance to photograph one.

Kara was awesome on set, giving me a multitude of poses, one of the other, jumping, twirling, skipping, twisting and many more. The clothing was already her own, dance inspired, comfortable and stylish at the same time. It was a breeze to run through different looks that I actually put together myself (we had a tight budget) and everything worked well together. Hats, scarves and boots make for great foundation pieces.

Downtown LA was a photographer's paradise providing me with a buffet of interesting spaces with murals plastered everywhere, graffiti on mile long walls and just the district as a whole was visually interesting to take in. I think we spent the entire day walking around finding all these great spaces to capture.

Photographer: Scharad Lightbourne
Filmed by: Daniel K Pictures
Additional Footage: Selina Ruthe
MUA: Karen Barragato

Untitled + Co & Morgan Model Jasmine

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Toronto is one of my favorite places to visit. Its a city with so much diversity; in its people, building, art, film and photography. So it was a no brainer that while I was there, I'd want to set up a few photo-shoots. I liked with my homie April Pabon from NY, while shooting there and she managed to connect us with one of the local agencies. Morgan Models sent us some great picks, albeit newbies to the modeling scene, I immediately took to Jasmine Kassam's exotic features.

Now, when I know Im traveling to a big city, I always put out a few "notice boards" and try to network with industry folk; stylists, hair stylists, MUAs, models and other photographers. So I got lucky to find a triple threat in Rosa Stylez. She was a #girlboss because not only did she style the shoot but she did hair and makeup as well! We worked with a local retailer "Untitled & Co" who donated great urban pieces for the shoot.

I loved Jasmine's look and she followed direction well. It was actually her first shoot since signing with MM in Toronto so I was ecstatic about being the first photographer to shoot her. I was pleased with the outcome.