take the photo…. always.
This portrait photo session has been a long time in the making.
Since my college days studying photography, I’ve held Helmut Newton’s work in the highest regard-his ability to capture strength, sensuality, and style in a single frame always left me in awe. Then, a few Easters ago, I saw a friend wearing bunny ears and I was reminded… a Newton portrait I always loved came rushing back from my memory and I knew, it was time – I needed to recreate it. Finally.
Life, of course, life had other plans. My friend who was going to model our calendars clashed, and then a broken ankle put everything on pause.
A year later, my own favorite local photographer, Jill Rasco, passed unexpectedly. I placed her photography on a pedestal right next to Newton’s. I was away in New Mexico on a get a way with a good friend, waking up to this news, hit hard. This single moment, that loss deepened my urgency. I had to do this shoot-not just for me, but as an ode to those who inspired me.
Then, within a month, the stars aligned. My beautiful daughter, Haven, was coming to visit for her brother’s birthdayI asked, “Hey, would you?” Without hesitation, she said yes. In that moment, everything fell into place.
Shot in stark contrast and classic Newton style-the bunny ears, fishnets, heels, shadows, power-we created images that were as much a tribute as they were a celebration.
When I showed my mom, she smiled and said, “I’m so glad she did this. I wish I would have taken some pictures like this in my youth.” As we should as we all should, because we are never going to be any younger than we are in this moment.
This isn’t just a photoshoot. It’s a tribute-to the bold, the beautiful, the brave, the photographic work that is an inspiration and missed. To Newton. To Jill. To Haven.
And now, to you-enjoy. 💕
This goes out to Nico as well, my son in law. I kind of have a feeling he will love these portraits for years to come. Plus he was an awesome lighting assistant that day. I could not have done it without them both 😍
