Insight - Paul De Luna

Insight into the magical mind of Paul De Luna featuring his latest editorial with Alisa Frolkina for Mojeh Magazine-

                                   

What was the inspiration behind this editorial?

The poetic answer is that we explored the darkness of an imagined soul wandering her netherworld looking for her long-lost lover, either to reunite with him or to kill him, you decide. A bride jilted by time and space.  The practical answer is that we had to shoot a bridal story and didn't want it to look too bridal or overly sentimental. 

What do you look for in a stylist when you select your team?  How involved are you in the styling?

Depending on the commission my input varies, but I'm generally fortunate to have a strong say and usually pick my own teams. It's extremely important to pick a stylist whose vision complements your own and not just someone who everyone says is good.  I don't know how involved/uninvolved other photographers are with the styling on their shoots, but I do take a hands-on approach while also relying on the individual visions & talents of the team.  Given that I generally write most of my concepts the rest of the creative elements should complement that.  I look for stylists (and hair & makeup) who are unique, independent visionaries as well as having excellent technique in their craft.  In the end, a shoot is about teamwork and not about the individual.

Do you plan your shoots methodically before hand or do they come about organically on set?  

Both.  I'd say it's like creating the perfect storm, and then when on set you just let it unfold and capture it.  I definitely (as of yet) don't block my shots beforehand.  I'd say my shoots are pretty similar in form to jazz improve or a jam session - there's underlying structure which holds the music together, and from there we let it grow spontaneously.  I don't think it's possible to envision certain things until you're really in the moment.

What is it about fashion photography that drives you to produce one incredible shoot after another?

Lol...you used that adjective, not me.  I just try to make them incredible and beat myself up when they're not. Honestly I just really, really love what I do and hopefully that carries through in the images.

Do you feel your talent has come about naturally or that you really have had to cultivate it, or did you feel you always had some sort of vision with your photography from the start?

A combination of nature with nurture.  Talent doesn't go very far without a lot of sweat and tears and sacrifices and discipline.  

What are some challenges that you face that you feel you still need to overcome?

So many I don't even want to think about them. But we're always growing and overcoming, and we just have to enjoy the journey and the point where we are on that journey.  We'll be somewhere else soon enough.

What's next for Paul De Luna?

Surf trip.  And a bunch of other photographic & film projects.

Styled by Bryan Marryshow

Makeup by Carmindy

Hair Marki Shkreli

Insight - Conor Graham | Stylist

Conor Graham is a California based stylist busy working on everything from editorials featured on Fashion Gone Rogue  to styling starlets in young Hollywood.  In addition to her whirlwind creative circle you can also find her in the far snowy reaches of Canada to the sandy shores of Hawaii styling for fashion companies and Surfing's Annual Swimsuit Issue (on stands the first week of April).   We've crossed paths and shared cocktails several times the world over but I'm looking forward to the day I can collaborate with her.  Here are some of her favorite things and inspirations.

POSTED UP: Laguna Beach, CA

INSPIRED BY:  I find inspiration in everything around me; traveling, food, art, books, curiosities, details and adornments of all things antique and vintage.

CURRENT DESIGNER:  Emilio Pucci for dreamy dresses, Balmain has so many exquisite pieces that are so wearable and great to mix and match with the staples from your own wardrobe, Friend of Mine's pieces are great to add that extra twist of edge to your outfit, Stone Cold Fox for the sexiest, wearable, carefree dresses around, Novella Royale for the perfect bells and Indah for just about everything else!

BEST RECENT PURCHASE:  A vintage Fleetwood Mac Rumors vinyl album from a thrift store for $1

COVETING:  I'm still drooling over the Isabel Marant S/S 2010 Dana Fringed boots and Warren Platner table and chair set from the 1960's.

FAV WEBSITES:  Bohemian Punk , Sun in Scorpio,  Tobacco and Leather , Cosmic Dust  , Coyote Spirit Child,  Sisters of the Black Moon ,Viciously Cyd 

DREAM TRIP:  I'm very fortunate to get to travel to some pretty dreamy places for work but I'd have to say I wouldn't mind just relaxing in a bikini, sandy and salty, sipping a coconut on a white sand beach with crystal clear water--somewhere like Fiji because it's a place I've yet to visit.

SOMETHING ABOUT ME: Even though I love to wear boots, I have a funny thing about socks, I dislike them immensely. My toes just feel so claustrophobic, I'd just rather be barefoot.

I also  collect crystals and fossils, you'll find them in every room of my house, even in my plants! 

Rogue Roundup

All images from Fashion Gone Rogue

F.G.R.

Can you get enough of Fashion Gone Rogue?  A website that brings all the best editorials to one home?  With their recent new makeover and website exclusive commissioned shoots multiplying by the numbers, there is no shortage of beautiful imagery for the budding fashionisita, photographer, stylist or blogger.

All images from Fashion Gone Rogue

Light of the Field

I was happy to see this editorial today on Fashion Gone Rogue styled by a friend Conor Graham and shot by Grant Yoshino.  I met Conor years ago at the Anantara Bali where we sipped on lychee cocktails and shared creative dreams.  Beautiful and summery.  I really must work with her one day!

The Fabulous Paul De Luna

Paul De Luna has been a generous mentor to me over the last two years with my styling and photography. I love his images as he really understands women and fashion...producing the most romantic, sexy and fashionable editorials. The first day I moved to New York he pulled me onto an Elle shoot with gorgeous Romanian model Catrinel Menghia and his super stylist Diana Andrea. Like a fashion dream come true, the master was at work with even MTV Europe coming in to interview and capture a glimpse of his dreamy set. Here's some behind the scenes photos of our Elle shoot and his latest editorial- Meliae which was just featured on Fashion Gone Rogue for Blank #55.

MELIAE

Directed by Paul de Luna – pauldeluna.com
Stylist: Sarah Parlow @ Next Artists NYC
Makeup: Ingeborg @ Bernstein & Andriulli using MAC Cosmetics
Hair: Damian Monzillo @ Kate Ryan NYC for Davines Hair Care
Model: Zen Sevastyanova @ IMG NY

Behind the Scenes-Elle

Behind the scenes photos by S.S.