SKIN RITUALS
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER IN RAW BEAUTY | VOL.2 | ISSUE.14
“I believe that skincare should be approached as a fun ritual instead of a tired routine.”
Q. You capture the most beautifully raw images! How do you execute these candid moments and make them flawless?
Thank you! The ‘candid moments’ are a mix of careful planning and having fun on set. I actually make a very detailed brief before every shoot and go over them with my team before I begin shooting. That way, everyone is on the same page and feel comfortable about what we are trying to achieve. The rest becomes fluid, I try to have a fun conversation with the team throughout the shoot and treat everyone with respect.
Q. What sparks new creative editorials?
I work on a lot of commercial jobs, so it is important for me to keep creating something of my own that I am truly passionate about. I find inspiration everywhere - it could be a story I heard or art I saw. At some point, all the ideas organically come together in my head and if it is something I feel strongly about, I sketch it. From that point on, I gather all the necessary things to bring that sketch to life.
Q. What are some techniques photographers need to know about retouching?
There could be many technical methods, but what makes a good retouching is making the image look like it was never retouched. Understanding light and texture is the key - Don’t try to make things look too perfect. Nothing is perfect in this world.
Q. What is the most important thing to know when it comes to product photography?
For commercial product photography, it is most important to know what your client is looking for and understanding the brand. You should voice your creative opinions, but you also need to know how to work with the client and work with their ideas and expectations. At the end of the day, the purpose of product photography is to sell the product.
Q. How often are you shooting and are you always working with large teams?
I shoot almost every day. If I am not shooting, I would be editing or retouching. The size of the team depends on a client or a project but for my personal projects, I like to keep the crew small. When the crew is small, I’ve learned that you could really build relationships, bounce ideas around, and the creative energy is higher, which is what makes the project exciting and fun.
Q. How do you build relationships with companies and agencies?
I started out as a photography assistant, where I met a lot of talented people. The key to building a good relationship is by working hard and simply being a nice person. Be humble and offer help when needed, and keep a positive attitude - it goes a long way. I’ve gotten leads and referrals from the connections I made with people I met on set.
Q. Tell us a highlight from your year so far!
There is no highlight per se, but this year has been going great and staying busy! I’ve executed more creative projects, broadened my connections with other creative individuals in the city and worked with a variety of new clients. I’m hoping to keep this good vibe going.
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Photographer: Su min Park @_suminpark_
MUA: Risako Matsushita @risakomatsushita
Hair: Satoshi Ikeda @samikeda
Models: Colleen Mccabe @mccabeco,
Maggie Sobraske @maggie.sobraske
Agency: Red Models NY
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