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[rudyarias]

Forty years ago, Feb 22, 1984 Paris. A date and place that defined my eye. In July 1983 I received a gold foil envelop with a French postmark, containing an invitation to submit work in a photo exhibition in Paris. At the time I had no clue who the organization was or how they knew of me. Then a 25 year old struggling photographer.

I did not take it as being real thinking it was a scam because of the $500 entry fee. Giving it some thought, I visited the French Embassy in Chicago inquiring if this organization was real. After the embassy official reviewed and xeroxed the paperwork. I was given a phone number to the Embassy and asked to call in a couple of days. I called and was told it was real. I sent the international money order per payment instructions a day later. About a month later a French postmarked package was delivered, containing 25 invitations for my guests and photo mount specs, packing/shipping labels/instructions.

Here the invitation and three of the six images that were sent to be my first photos exhibited in an exhibition in Paris.

“Waiting for Rain”

Model: Wendy Braun

Location: Lower Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois

Nikon F3HP, Nikkor 85MM F1.4 AI-S

Film: Agfa APX 100

“VaROOMMM!”

Royal Bastards

Kenny

Location: St. John, Indiana

Nikon F3HP, Nikkor 50MM F1.4

Film: AFGA APX 100

“Ready, Set, Go”

Royal Bastards

Ken, Ian, Dan and Pat

Location: St. John, Indiana

Nikon F3HP, Nikkor 50MM F1.4 AI-S

Film: AFGA APX 100

#modeltest #unedited #blackandwhitephotography #blackamdwhitefilm #nikon #nikonf3 #agfa #film #135mm #135mmfilm #35mm #35mmfilm #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #pursuitofportraits

[rudyarias]

There are times when a good friendship emerges from discussions with a designer. In this case with Samuel Yeung who is based in Ra’anana, Israel. At the onset of the invasion/attack by Hamas Oct 7th, 2023. Samuel messaged me asking if I knew people in the media. I continued to check in with him through this war. He was surprised on the protests against Israel. When it was Israel who was attacked not Gaza.

In essence, similar in how the North Vietnam government PR manipulated US media, its youth and celebrities like Jane Fonda into protesting against the War. Iranian/Hamas PR in taking from US history, succeeding in radicalizing Middle East and South Asian people protesting against the US government for aiding Israel.

The recent failed Iranian rocket/drone attack is proof. HaShem stands with Israel.

Am Yisrael Chai

‎עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

LVM Exclusive

Vol. XI | Sept 2023

The courthouse in South Bronx came to my mind when iconic NYC locations like the Lincoln Center for Samuel Yeung’s campaign were brought up. At first he was hesitant on what I suggested until images from both locations were viewed after the shoot.

The image used on this cover with two images in this post. The image that made the cover was cropped. Posted in its full frame with the second image of the series. Being 47.5MP images allowed one to be cropped by the LVM Exclusive editors, were shot at the courthouse, a very nice Sept 2022 Monday afternoon. Despite heavy pedestrian traffic. The courthouse was fenced off because its use as an exterior/interior location by Dick Wolf and other TV/Film production companies.

Model: Natalie Aponte

Designer: John Samuel Yeung

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Hair: Mint Morant

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 300MM F4 IF-ED

ISO: 400

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #jewishfashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #uneditedphoto #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfash #ootdfashion #locationshoot

[rudyarias]

It felt February 2020 was a few centuries not 4 years ago. “Cabin Fever” took hold late March 2020.

I was in Chicago that February for model tests and visiting family. I reached out to one of my favorite models, Hu’ghniq. We agreed on meeting the coming Wednesday afternoon at a coffee shop in Crete, Il. Ernest her close friend, came with her to style this exercise.

This was the first experience Ernest had with my eye. Unlike photographers he styled under, my use of long prime lenses and maintaining distance from the face. Made it an interesting learning curve for him. Hu’ghniq on the other hand was familiar with my eye from previous e.Kaye campaigns I’ve shot. One I shot Feb 2019 during NYFW in SOHO NY which she was later featured in British Vogue August 2020 issue.

Model: Hu’ghniq

Stylist: Ernest Young

Nikon D850, AF-S Nikkor 300MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 320

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #lookoftheday #photoofthedays #fashioncouture #streetstyle

[rudyarias]

It was a pleasant Friday late April 2019 afternoon drive from Chicago to St Louis. Rine quickly settled and slept in the passenger seat on that 5 hour drive. Saturday early morning make up and fittings of the models were done at the hotel. Then we drove to the first location at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis. I wondered around looking for land marks as locations. While the models were fitted and dressed in the changing tent. Shortly after I started to shoot the first segment of the 2019 Battle Beauties campaign.

This series of images were of Rine in movement by a sculpture in the garden.

Model: Katharine Grant

Designer: Chassity Jackson for Battle Beauties

MUA: Ashley Ward

Nikon D3x, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70MM F2.8 G IF ED @ 52MM

ISO: 50

#editorialfashionphotography #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #unedited #nikon #nikond3x #naturallight #supremeshutter #nikonnofilter #pursuitofportraits #fashioncampaign #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #PFW2019 #nyfw2019 #lookbook

[rudyarias]

This was the fourth shoot with Alexander Hernandez. The first was a model test in St Petersburg, Fl December 2023 since moving to Sarasota. This concept exercise was at Coquina Beach in Bradenton, Fl, a comfortable beautiful sunny Wednesday afternoon March 2024. Alex expressed he preferred my eye and method of shooting as an actor than a model. Than the local Tampa photographers his agency recommended. I thanked him. After his meet and greet with curious beach goers. We went out and started shooting.

This series of images were shot at the furthest south area of the beach. Unbeknownst to us, it’s was cleared earlier by the beach patrol because of rip tide conditions.

Model: Alexander Hernandez

Agency: Alexa Models and Talent

Designer: Richard Dayhoff

Nikon D4, AF-S Nikkor 200-500MM f5.6E ED VR @200MM

ISO: 100

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond4 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #beach #modeltest

[rudyarias]

Milano 1995

Film: Kodachrome 64

I literally have a few thousand rolls of film I’ve shot over my career. With this written, I did start scanning in the 1990’s on Kodak’s Photo CD process. As with any emerging technology, I have a couple of hundred CDs in my archives which was more efficient than the first “Pro” Kodak/Nikon digital cameras. The CD files were a no brainer in using Adobe’s Photoshop to view, create JPGs and/or print the scan images. Unfortunately that ended with Photoshop 5. Hence relying on PCD shareware to view and save the images.

This series of images from a campaign I shot in 1995 at Castello Sforzesco di Milano in Milano, Italia.

Model: Patricia

Agency: One Up Management, Milano

Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier

MUA: Carlotta

Assistant: Alex McCord

Nikon F3HP, MC Arsat Yashma 300MM F2.8 AI-S

Film: Kodak Kodachrome 64

Location: Castello Sforzesco di Milano

#editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikon #fashioncampaign #nikonf3hp #35MMfilm #135MM #kodachrome #naturallight #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle

[rudyarias]

In the course of living in Jacksonville . Rachael eventually became my first photographic muse. We first met March 2019 when she walked for Donna Moody Gray at Art Walk. I met with her and scheduled a model test shortly after.

This test was shot in early Friday afternoon of Jan 8, 2021. It was a warm partly cloudy day and Rachael’s first time at the band shell in Brentwood Park. She just purchased from Goodwill a pair of interesting bright turquoise angle boots. The replica Greek columns and cider block back wall of the band shell worked for those boots and her little black dress.

In this series of images. I asked Rachael to walk along the column wall capturing her expressions and body language as she walked across the concrete stage floor.

Model: Rachael Berner

Nikon D3, AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED

ISO: 400

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #uneditedphoto #nikonnofilter #nikond3 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday

[rudyarias]

Model Tests I normally shoot on either my Nikon D3 or D4. The 12/16MP is sufficient resolution to illustrate what it may look for campaigns/editorials. Similar to Polaroids back in the day of film. Not to mention, most modeling agencies prefer the smaller digital files for books. Comps, instagram and their websites.

I first met Marisa with her Mom at the Cork Arts Center. We talked about shooting a model’s test. I felt the strength of Marisa’s face with her well proportioned body despite her stature of 1.71cm. Like super models Gia, Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie Grainge and Devon Aoki made her the exception to the “height” rule in true fashion.

This test was shot June 19, 2022 a warm partly cloudy Sunday afternoon. This was Marisa’s sixth test with me. In essence a joy to shoot, becoming one of my favorite when I lived in Jacksonville. In this series of images, Marisa simply became more herself in movement.

Model: Marisa Norenberg

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Nikon D3, AF-S Nikkor 300M f4D IF-ED

ISO: 200

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond3 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #modeltest

[rudyarias]

LVM Exclusive

Vol. X | June 2023

There are times I’ll shoot a BTS image that is not intended as part of the campaign shoot. In this case, editor-in-chief Vernica Vernica of LVM Exclusive fell in love with the feel from this series of images of Daniel Alexander walking in front of the models. Illustrating to them what he wanted to see when the models walked toward my eye. She chose and cropped one image to become the back cover.

This is the third of three back covers from Daniel Alexander’s 2023 “Singing in DA Rain” campaign. This image was shot Thursday Sept 29th, 2022 during a light rain on the street outside of my Airbnb in Paris. The day before Daniel’s presentation at Paris Fashion Week in the Ritz Paris,

Location:

Ru de Chateau

La Garenne-Colombes

IIe-de-France 92250 (Paris), France

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Models (left to right) in background:

Natalie Aponte

Elle Ashley

Avadora Mimouni

Monica Rivera

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Hair: Mint Morant

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 180MM f2.8 IF-ED

ISO: 400

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle #rainyday #rainydays #parisfrance #parisfashionweek #parisfashionweek 2022 #misslvmexclusive #lvmmagazine #magazinecover #backcover

[rudyarias]

LVM Exclusive

Vol. X | June 2023

The concept for Daniel Alexander’s 2023 “Singing in Da Rain” campaign was originally discussed in August 2019 with Daniel Alexander. At that time, it was for his coming 2020 S/S campaign. Iconic images were randomly brought brought up during various conversations. I brought up the iconic supermodel group image of ‘Estelle Lefebure, Karen Alexander, Rachel Williams, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patrizia, Christy Turlington wearing white shirts on the beach by Peter Lindbergh shot in Santa Monica. CA 1988. I suggested using various faces from mixed to transgender would reflect the diversity of women today. Giving a true feel of empowerment to women who viewed the images

Then Cabin Fever (Covid) struck, leaving me and everyone home bound. May 2022 I received a call from Daniel. He was to present his 2023 S/S collection at Paris Fashion Week Sept 2022.

He decided to create that collection with white (bed sheet) fabric. With that inspired me to shoot what we discussed in 2019. This image was shot during a light rain on the street outside of my Airbnb in Paris.

This is the fourth of four front covers from this campaign.

Location:

Ru de Chateau

La Garenne-Colombes

IIe-de-France 92250 (Paris), France

Model: Natalie Aponte

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Hair: Mint Morant

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED

ISO: 400

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle #rainyday #rainydays #parisfrance #parisfashionweek #parisfashionweek 2022 #misslvmexclusive #lvmmagazine #magazinecover

[rudyarias]

In retrospect with Victor M Sanchez an Orlando based entrepreneur returning to Fashion design😀

Sunday late Aug 2019 was a busy second night of a two night campaign shot in a railroad overpass tunnel in Maitland. It started a month before with concept discussions with Victor on locations with Graffiti Walls, MUA and Faces. Victor knew graffiti artists who would spray his logo on the walls there. Once Victor told me he was ready with his designs. I drove down to Maitland from Jacksonville.

Needless to say it was again a hot humid night. The location itself was a challenge as the first night with its minimal ambient lighting from the highway over head. Leaving the area selected for shooting literally pitch black. Hence the small caravan carrying my gear to that location. I brought two Dracast LED Cinema panels with 13’ Flashpoint light stands, a Metz 60CT4 on a Bogen tripod for minimal fill.

Model: Taijana Fuch

MUA: Kandy McKain

Designer: Victor M Sanchez for VMS Brands

Stylist: Victor Sanchez

Nikon D850, AF NIKKOR 85MM F1.8 D

ISO: 400

Lighting: Dracast LED1000 Pro Daylight Panel, Dracast LED500 Pro Daylight Panel

Fill Flash: Metz 60CT4

#editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #nyfw2020 #nyfw2020fw #nyfw #dracast #dracastlights #dracastled1000pro #dracastled500pro

[rudyarias]

A Jan 2023 sunny Thursday in Northeast Florida, one of two last model tests before moving to Sarasota FL from Jacksonville FL. It was Colby’s first test which began at Friendship Fountain Park to Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville. Tiffany Wingo a friend and shoe designer showed up to watch how my eye works on a shoot.

Model: James “Colby” Hill

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Nikon D4, AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED

ISO: 800

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond4 #nikon #uneditedphoto #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle

[rudyarias]

This was the second of three tests I shot with Evan Cavallini. The pedestrian traffic on the Main Street Bridge was nonexistent for a sunny Monday afternoon that late March 2022.

Evan took my instructions before shooting as if he were an actor. He easily got accustomed to the distance I maintained and not being made into a pretzel. I felt it made him be more himself while shooting. The downtown landscape in the background brought his movement to life.

Model: Evan Cavallini

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Nikon D3x, AF-S Nikkor 300MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 200

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond3x #nikon #uneditedphoto #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfash #ootdfashion #photooftheday #modeltest#photooftheday #compcard #compcardshoot #streetstyle

[rudyarias]

This was the second model test I shot since moving to Sarasota. Considering the extreme heat wave that began in June to subside at the beginning of September. It was a comfortable beautiful sunny day that Thursday afternoon September 2023.

Instead of waiting in my vehicle. I started to walk around and explore the Tampa River District, carrying my Nikon D4 with AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED lens. As I was walking pass a sound technician setting up a small PA, on a patio in front of the lawn. I was approached by a gentleman asking what I was planning on shooting. I responded, waiting for a face to shoot a model test. He asked if I had permits. I pulled the paperwork out of my back pocket. He inspected and gave them back to me. He asked why the big lens if I’m shooting a model? My response was “looking to see if I could shoot Miami from here while waiting for the model to arrive😀”.

I walked back to the garage after I spoke with Alivia on the phone. Letting me know she and her boyfriend just parked in the garage. She walked down the exit ramp to meet me at my vehicle. We went out and started shooting.

This image was shot with her walking toward me. At the entrance area of the pedestrian bridge by the Children’s Museum entrance. Alivia quickly took my instructions in being herself. Shooting from a distance, farther than photographers she shot with before.

Model: Alivia Bienz

Nikon D4, AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED

ISO: 200

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond4 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle #modeltest

[rudyarias]

There are situations I’ve found archiving images from a campaign when the designer client/Fashion House’s usage period expire. For one reason or another were not submitted in an editorial/advertorial set, used on social media and/or in a branding campaign.

This image of the face walking up the stairs from the 28 Street Subway Station in lower Manhattan. This was shot on a sunny Sunday June 2021. The second day of a 2 day campaign for Heritage India Fashions’ Advertorial in Elle UK Sept 2021 issue.

Model: Natalie Aponte

Designer: Prashant Goyal for Heritage India Fashions

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Dresser: Alexis Johnson

Nikon D850, AF-S Nikkor 300MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 1250

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #uneditedphoto #nikonnofilter #nikond850 #nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #NYFW2021fw #elleuk #elleukmagazine #advertorial

[rudyarias]

Crystal, who Prashant casted for this phase of the campaign, was a rising star in the pageant world. Once we started shooting I literally had to get her acclimated to my eye, instead of being a pretzel for the cameras as a pageant contestant/winner. Instructing her to be herself, not realizing as she spontaneously moved, I captured her true being. A couple of months later, was told my approach did generate unexpected orders when images from this shoot were used.

This image from the shoot illustrates how her spontaneous movement brought the brand to life.

Model: Crystal Venecia Favorito

Designer: Prashant Goyal for Heritage India Fashions

MUA: Bhavna Shah

Dresser: Crystal Govindu

Photo Assistant: Mitch Gray

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 180MM f2.8 IF-ED

ISO: 64

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850

#nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #indianmodel#photoofthedays #streetstyle

[rudyarias]

About four days before my move to Sarasota. Candace Christian asked if I would do a quick shoot for her Luxe Style magazine Spring issue.

It was cloudy and cool that Tuesday early evening April 2023 . I showed up in downtown Jacksonville at Church St with no one there so I parked and waited. Candace text me the actual location behind a church and drove into the parking lot there.

This shoot produced the cover for the issue.

Model: Dre Ben Frank

Scarf: Daniel’s Leather NYC

Glasses: H. Couture

Car: Toyota Supra courtesy of RentNiceCars.com

Creative Director: Candace Christian

MUA: Imani Sharnai

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 80-200MM f2.8D ED @ 125MM

ISO: 400

#naturallight #naturallightportrait #editorialfashionphotography #fashiondesigner #fashionphotographer #rudyparias #rudyariasphotography #unedited #nikonnofilter #nikond850

#nikon #pursuitofportraits #makingportraits #fashioncampaign #supremeshutter #oodt #ootdfashion #photooftheday #photoofthedays #streetstyle