Event Recap: Mini Portrait Sessions
Last Sunday, ZDS Creative hosted our first Mini Portrait Session in our Greenpoint, BK studio! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!
Assistant Collective Director and local Photographer Talia Smith (@tv.talia) held 20-minute mini-sessions with attendees as Collective Director Zoey Schorsch (@zschorsch) provided model assistance and movement direction—making for a fun-filled day of creative collaboration. Read more below and find behind-the-scenes content from one of our first open studio events at ZDS Creative:
“Not only was I given an amazing opportunity to collaborate with my friends during the Mini Portrait Sessions, but I was faced with the challenge of maintaining an ability to shift gears quickly from model to model. Our first attendee, Emma, was looking to build her existing modeling portfolio in alignment with expectations from her agency, our next model, Alea, went for a more avant-garde, editorial look, which was followed by Tina, who was looking for acting headshots. Each shoot proved to be more unique than I had been anticipating—reaching past the idea of mundane, quick-stop headshots that only changed depending on the face I had in front of me. Upon realizing the wide variation of needs from model to model, Zoey and I were able to seamlessly transition between different lighting setups, backdrop colors, and even playlists to set the mood for what each individual was looking for. This allowed us not only the space to connect with the attendees we were working with during their scheduled time slots but also reminded us to value open, direct communication between photographer and ‘subject.’
My approach to portraiture has always relied heavily on mutual input and collaboration. Some of my best photos are the result of the person in front of my camera feeling and emanating comfort, and above all else, agency. We left the creative direction in the hands of the people who were eager enough to work with us, and I continue to hold a firm belief that rigid, cold shooting environments (where models are often seen as objects—deduced to ‘muses’ that have no say, just physicality to be captured in a singular vision) do not have the ability to capture the equitable energy I’m chasing. Our Mini Portrait Sessions were a reminder of the type of work I want to continue creating; work that is multi-dimensional, the brainchild of more than just one mind—the work that makes everyone involved feel seen, heard, and happy.
If you missed this event and are interested in shooting in our studio, head over to our events page to stay in the loop on what we have planned next, or get in touch through our contact page.”
