rudyarias

[rudyarias]

Sunday March 30, 2025: It was another pleasant sunny morning when I arrived at Five Points Park. Victoria texted that she was parked in the Shelby Library’s parking lot. We met and walked toward Five Points Park to begin her first test set with me.

These series of images were shot from my typical distance.

Model: Victoria Avalerio

Nikon D4, AF Micro-Nikkor 200MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Rope Magazine

Vol. 77 December 2024

This image comes from a series of shots taken of Franky walking the six Parisian blocks from the Airbnb to the Moulin Rouge for Daniel Alexander’s live couture performance.

Originally submitted to Style Cruze magazine through a collective producer’s assistant, with the expectation of receiving cover placement… this is warning and lesson to fashion designers to maintain a sense of ownership and direction over their brand images when dealing with publications. The images from the live couture tour were instead used to promote ad placements and advertising in the publication, without credit to the designer or team.

When confronting for correction, the contact literally laughed at the notion that the designs were Daniel’s intellectual property. (Then threatened to sue me in mentioning it publicly.)

It reinforced my stance on not submitting to online magazines published by ghost publishers, such as thru Kayvar. (Kayvar was useless in helping either contacting or supplying real contact information on Style Cruze’s publisher, skirting their participation as the conduit for the submission.)

Harshit Patel, Editor in Chief of Rope Magazine, immediately recognized this live couture display as a historic landmark in European Fashion. Something that began for Daniel during a charity fund raiser in Brisbane/Melbourne, and had been found in Italian design schools, it hadn’t been widely showcased in the EU by an established designer. Patel saw the value in giving great exposure to this story.

As with Condé Nast and Hearst UK, Rope is based in Anand, Gujarat, India and the importance is on creating valuable working relationships with editors and publishers, as with Patel.

Model: Francoise Odette Ngoumou

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

Assistant: Michel Rosio

Nikon D850, AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200MM f2.8D ED @ 112MM

ISO: 5000

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[rudyarias]

Monday March 10th, 2025 started out as a drive to the Ocala area to shoot two tests that were suddenly thwarted by rain forecasts. Ended in cancellations by both models when halfway there.

Thursday March 20, 2025 was an overcast day in Belleview, Fl. Arriving at about 3pm meeting Ronalee with her boyfriend at Lake Lillian. We started to test by the pier area.

It was late overcast afternoon, brought a good ambient light. For this series of images I shot on my Nikon D850 fresh from Nikon repair. I took the opportunity to shoot a concept I had in mind for a campaign.

Model: Ronalee Hopp

Nikon D850, AF Micro-Nikkor 200MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Sunday March 9, 2025: it was another pleasant sunny day when I arrived at Five Points Park. Alysa texted that she was looking for her keys, and arrived about an hour later. Photo shoots have a way of taking place on their own timeline, I’ve learned to trust the process. We walked toward the columns at Shelby Library and started the test.

These series of images were actually the first shot. As my previous posts mention, my distance from her was not typical of photographers she worked with. Alysa has a classic figure at about 1.71m. Like Kate Moss, a natural beauty in being herself.

Model: Alysa Jade Schooler

Nikon D4, AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Sunday July 1, 2012 was a day filled with unexpected guests in my house. Egle arrived for her second test using the guest bedroom to change and get ready. She was one of eight faces I tested when home, living (2005-15) in Naples, Fl.

I felt DX (APS-C sensor) was appropriate pulling both my Nikon D2H (4.1 MP) and D2X (12.4 MP) vs my FX (full frame) bodies for this test. Before we headed out to Freedom Park this series of images were shot in my lanai with my Nikon D2H. Unlike pixel peepers today, who would look down on 4.1 MP images. It was not an issue when shooting head shots when no cropping is needed.

Model: Egle Beconyte

Stylist: Marina S Arias

Nikon D2H, AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200MM f2.8G IF-ED @ (DX 1.5) 300MM

ISO:200

[rudyarias]

Wednesday Sept 2, 2020 was a hectic day at Orange County Choppers in Newburgh, NY. I managed to get at least four hours of sleep from driving in from Chicago on top of early am calls with the OCC publicist Santos Lopez and Emily Sifrit on the logistics for this campaign.

After fittings, styling, and makeup up were done I began shooting as John Henry released each face. The videographer ended up using my Dracast Cinema 1000w and 500w LED panels, as his small led panels and fresnels were not powerful enough to use in the workshop and surrounding below-ground areas which were not well lit.

It was golden hour when I shot this series on the OCC property.

Model: Aurora Torrise

Designer: Emily Sifrit for e.Kaye

Stylist: John Henry Edington

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

ISO: 4000

[rudyarias]

With the Gala at the Met celebrating Black Style last night. My eye considered “woke” by many in Florida which I took as a compliment.

Reflecting on Condé Nast publishing British Vogue’s February 2022 cover featuring African Supermodels Adut Akech, Anok Yai, Majesty Amare, Amar Akway, Janet Jumbo, Maty Fall, Nyagua Ruea, Abény Nhial, and Akon Changkou, fashion has opened the gates for their dark-skinned sisters to define beauty within a changing social order becoming more global each day.

Like Richard Avedon, Peter Beard, Steven Meisel and Peter Lindbergh, I, too, am a strong advocate for women of color in true fashion.

This series of images of Mikayla from Reflectionz of Londyn‘s campaign. I shot in Ybor City that Sunday Oct 16, 2022.

Model: Mikayla Warnell

Designer: Londyn for Reflectionz of Londyn

Nikon D850, AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200MM f2.8D IF ED @155MM

ISO: 3200

[rudyarias]

LVM Exclusive

Sept 2024 Issue

Editorial

What I appreciate in shooting fashion campaigns. Unlike most local fashion designers who keep within accepted norms within their designs, Fashion House/designer clients I’ve shot campaigns for aren’t afraid to push the envelope of their creativity. Case in point, when I received Daniel Alexander’s 2024 collection I immediately took note on its uniqueness using reflective material when going thru the designs.

Sunday May 18, 2024 was a bright sunny day in Paris, requiring the need of a fill flash to bring out the reflective colors on a bright sunny day. After Joanne’s fittings that morning, we ventured out in the 15 arrondissement.

This series of images were shot at a my usual distance as Parisians not taking notice of the reflective surfaces were black on black fabric walking by her.

Model: Joanne Mudaliar

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

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

Fill Flash: Nikon SB-900 TTL HS Flash

ISO: 640

[rudyarias]

When I posted images from a character development session with Sriram Parthasarathy Tuesday evening, Nov 26, 2024. Little did I know Kamari Ross would literally write “Could I shoot him like that” in a comment.

Wednesday Feb 12, 2025 was a sunny day giving the studio ample natural light. This concept exercise for CFDA designer Richard Dayhoff’s luxury briefs campaign. Was inspired by Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk music video in conversations with my stylist John Henry. Which actually doubled as a character development session for Kamari. As an upcoming actor/model, Kamari is constantly booked in video/print ads projecting a “happy, happy, joy, joy” type of beach/tourist character.

This series of images were not used by Richard. Kamari did a fabulous job in projecting its feel.

Actor/Model: Kamari Ross

Designer: Richard Dayhoff

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Nikon D850, AF-S Nikkor 85MM f1.4G

ISO: 200

[rudyarias]

Vogue (GR) Athens

Sept 2024 issue

Saturday February 3, 2024 was a very hectic day with delays in allowing wedding photographers to get their bridal parties shot that afternoon. I shot this first phase of this campaign in Boca Grande, Fl. Ultimately this entire campaign would produce the editorial feature for Daniel Alexander.

Model: Natalie Aponte

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

Shoes: Tiffany Wingo

Stylist: John Henry Edington

MUA: Lucia Hernandez

Hair: Mint Morant

Nikon D850, AF Nikkor 300MM f4 IF-ED

ISO: 640

[rudyarias]

Vogue (GR) Athens

Sept 2024 issue

Friday May 10, 2024 was a very hectic day when I shot this second phase of this campaign in the courtyard of the building Daniel was staying in Paris. Ultimately this campaign would produce the editorial feature for Daniel Alexander.

Model: Francoise Odette Ngoumou

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

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

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Vogue (GR) Athens

Sept 2024 issue

My eye has graced the pages in publications by Condé Nast, Hearst UK to Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, Stardust, Eclair, GMARO to name a few. Friday May 10, 2024 was a very hectic day when I shot a series of images in the lounge/kitchen area of the building Daniel was staying in Paris. Ultimately this campaign would produce the first Vogue cover and editorial feature for Daniel Alexander.

I first discussed this concept with Daniel when discussing his live couture performances in London and Paris. I was inspired from a B&W photo of Gianni Versace with his fit model at his Milano Atelier. Daniel was at first skeptical until he actually reviewed the camera previews. He loved that he would be in the background behind Franky, a face from Cameroon living in Paris I originally recommended for his live couture performances.

Model: Francoise Odette Ngoumou

Designer: Daniel Alexander

Jewelry: Dayra Cristela Testa

Nikon D850, AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200MM f2.8D ED @ 112MM

ISO: 5000

[rudyarias]

Natalie was 13 when she was brought to the attention of my wife Marina by her friend Tatiana. Her grandmother wanted to meet and had some questions. During our initial meeting at Tatiana’s home in FT Myers, she told me Natalie’s mother was approached by a “modeling agency” at a dance competition. Her mother was told they can make Natalie a model for $6000. I told her to not pay and I’ll see what I can do.

Thursday March 5, 2016 was her first test at an Intercontinental Disney resort in Orlando. In helping Natalie develop her model identity and my introduction to my good friend Marie P. Anderson. Natalie has grown since her first test. In her tenure as a campaign face for Jenee Dione, e.Kaye, Prashant Goyal, Mihaela Panaitescu, Daniel Alexander, Sheril Patrice and Alarcon gracing covers and pages of British Vogue, Elle UK, Glamour, Vogue (Athens) Greece, Integrity Magazine UK, Rope, Eclair, GMARO, Stardust and LVM Exclusive to name a few.

Monday Sept 26, 2022 was the most hectic of my three day stay in NYC before leaving for Paris that evening. I picked up Natalie on my way to meet John Henry at the Lincoln Center. The first of two locations for my good friend Israeli based designer John Samuel Yeung’s 2023 campaign.

In this series of images, Natalie maintaining her eye toward the lens not me. Was fabulous in her walk at the Lincoln Center.

Today April 8, 2025, 550 days since the 59 remaining Hostages in Gaza have seen the light of day. John Samuel Yeung’s atelier disrupted from air raids/rocket attacks around Ra’anana, just north of Tel Aviv. Has shifted his focus from fashion to his friends who lost relatives or still in captivity since Oct, 7, 2023.

Model: Natalie Aponte

Designer: John Samuel Yeung

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Hair: Mint Moran

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

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Monday Dec 30, 2024 was a sunny but pleasant day in Sarasota. I arrived and parked across from the Shelby Library to test Alexandra Von Kaszner. She arrived with her parents, delayed by the traffic from the start of the Festival/Carnival in Five Point Park.

In the 2 1/2 hours during the test much was spent talking to her and mother about the fashion industry and what I’ve found in shooting up and coming models. It is this misperception from the male perspective that femininity and dressing sexy are one and the same. It’s not, my eye is from a feminine perspective which draws on the sensuality/innocence of the face. It’s part of a model’s identity that makes them stand out in a sea of beauty during castings and fashion campaigns.

In this series of images, I instructed Alexandra on subtle movement after she got acclimated to my distance from her to minimize image distortion when shooting. Ultimately presenting a completely different feel from the standard “portrait” images in TFPs and local campaign images she’s done before this test.

Model: Alexandra Von Kaszner

Agency: Alexa Models

Dresser: Galina Von Kaszner

Nikon D4, AF Micro-Nikkor 200MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Sunday November 22, 2020 was a pleasant day in Duluth, Ga. Crystal Favorito, who Prashant Goyal 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 trained to be a pretzel from pageant competition. Instructing her to be herself, not realizing as she spontaneously moved, I captured her true being.

This series of three images from this campaign illustrates how her spontaneous movement brought Heritage Indian Fashions to life. Hence it’s truly about the feel that moves clothes, not the clothes themselves.

Model: Crystal Venecia Favorito

Designer: Prashant Goyal for Heritage India Fashions

MUA: Bhavna Shah

Dresser: Crystal Govindu

Photo Assistant: Mitch Gray

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

ISO: 200

[rudyarias]

Wednesday Jan 19, 2023 was a sunny day. Peyton with her mom met me in the parking lot at the Jacksonville Fishing Pier in Jacksonville Beach. It was the last test I shot of Peyton after helping develop her model identity. Before moving to Sarasota April 2023.

The Pier under its final construction phase at the time. Its beach area was not busy. Peyton intuitively went straight to one of its caissons. Peyton in her black bikini was fabulous. This series of images is from the test.

Model: Peyton Gibson

Agency: ModelScout - Orlando

Stylist: John Henry Edington

Hair: Ellie Ftommel

Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR @ 500MM

ISO: 400

[rudyarias]

Monday, Dec 26, 2024 was a sunny day at the Charles Hixon Park in Tampa. I arrived early, parked and waited for Judah who was stuck in traffic. Once he parked his motorcycle, started to walk around the park and city streets capturing shots.

I emphasized to Judah while shooting, instead of looking at me, look directly into the lens. Explaining looking at me is simply staring at a “beached whale on concrete”. Looking directly into the lens establishes eye contact with the viewer of the image. I also explained how movement whether subtle or subconscious, is what gives an image “feel”. Something not accomplished with the onslaught of videos posted in social media.

This series of images is capturing the “feel” of this test.

Model: Judah Olugbemi

Nikon D4, AF Micro-Nikkor 200MM f4D IF-ED

ISO: 640