CONCRETE JUNGLE

San Diego sparked so much inspiration through working with other artists and creating content in a collaborative way, but after leaving California to come back to PA, I really didn’t pursue creating editorial-esque images. Looking back, I understand it was a culmination of a lot of factors that made it difficult to do what I really wanted to do, but now, having been back in Pittsburgh for two years, I’m tapping back into making art without limitations. (Don’t worry weddings, I still love you.)

At the beginning of August, I made it my goal to photograph a styled photoshoot once a week. I didn’t have anything specific in mind, but I made it a point to reach out to local businesses (images from these collaborations to come), and the Pittsburgh modeling community.

The birth story of this concept and photoshoot is really cool and is one of my favorites. Funnily enough, Princewill had been an Uber driver of mine and we reconnected via Instagram - can you believe he had no professional modeling experience?! He mentioned being interested in starting a portfolio, so this was really my starting point. After posting a modeling call, enter Lexi. At this stage, the photoshoot was being driven by Lexi and Princewill and a chartreuse suit I got for a wedding that didn’t fit me. Originally, we were going to meet on the rooftop of a parking garage - I found the leopard jungle-y shirt that Prince is wearing, and so “urban jungle” seemed fitting. But in the most Pittsburgh way, the weather pooped out on the original shoot date… and thank goodness it did because urban jungle evolved to ‘concrete jungle’ and we rescheduled for a date where we could utilize the most amazing location.

I love everything about the outcome (and everything that led up to the final product) and how everything came together in a very organic way. I hope yunz love it too.

*keep your eyes out for more styled photoshoot goodness coming soon*