Art Direction, behind the scenes

Behind the scenes from our shoot at the Charlot House in Honolulu. Before every shoot, we put together an art direction deck: a loosely curated mood board of visual references, hair and makeup ideas, and general vibes. We then proceed to describe it in maniacal detail to the team. And then, because the team listens so closely, it looks better than we could ever imagined. 

These final images is what happens when everything comes together perfectly.

Reference Images

A still from 1985 Soviet Georgian film The Legend of Suram Fortress, directed by Sergei Parajanov. 

Kumu hula 'Iolani Luahine (foreground) and Abigail Kekaulike Kawananakoa (background) at the Iolani Palace rededication ceremony in 1978. Copyright Honolulu StarAdvertiser.

Final Image

Reference Image

Albumen print of a Tahitian woman by Madame S. Hoare, Papeete, Tahiti, ca. 1870. "Sitter wears an interesting combination of western and native costume, including a native cloth wrapped around her skirt, and bare feet -- something most unusual in 19th-century studio portraits." from Wikimedia Commons

Final Image

Team

Photographer: Josiah Patterson

Stylist: Reise Kochi

Make Up Artist: Risa Hoshino

Model: NaleoOlokahi Faurot

Art Direction: Language of the Birds