Floral Portrait Photo Shoot | Yellow Queen Project
Floral Portraits
by Yuliya Panchenko
Fashion has been used throughout centuries to represent the people, where they live, what their environment is like, and what they value and stand for. When looking back through history, fashion often depicts the time period in which people lived based on the style of clothing they wore. When it comes to photography, what the subject wears also paints a picture for them, and it is important for me as a photographer to pay attention to detail and choice of style when working with clients. The smallest of changes can make the difference between a good quality photo and a work of art. Intrigued by the idea of fashion and what it represents in our culture, I worked to modernize a vintage Victorian style and use it to add character to a series of photographs.
Commercial Floral Portrait Photography
As part of my Botanical Beauties series, I played with the idea of turning a previously recognized style into a wearable floral accent. Victorian puffed collars came to mind as these are widely recognized for their shape and high neck design. I worked together with florist and designer, Iryna Shulzhenko, to bring this concept to reality and discuss how best to approach this modern interpretation. While puffed collars are white, we decided to go with a soft yellow instead, as white is often associated with bridal photography. Smaller “puffy” flowers were added on a golden wire that was styled to represent a high neck collar. The back of the collar had a spinal look to slender and hug the back and give the illusion of a corset. Our model has very strong natural features like red hair and piercing eyes that reminded me of past queens in the 16th century. One has to always be mindful of the concept that is being achieved and how each component will add and work together to compliment the look. In this case, in order bring out and highlight the floral collar, I chose a black background for contrast for some of the photos. For portrait shots that had eye contact, a warmer background was used to highlight the lighter eyes of the model and bring attention to the facial expression instead. In photography every choice of color, lighting, and posing will create a different mood as well as guide the eyes of the viewer to focus on different aspects on the images.
Commercial Floral Portrait Photography
After the project was completed, the title of “Yellow Quinn” was given to symbolize the idea of royalty that is prominent in all photographs from the series. When ideas arise for us photographers, it’s important to design and focus on detail ahead of time to ensure that everything captured in an image is meant to be there. Nothing is by coincidence in professional photography work, and that is what creates exclusive and unique photographs that clients look for. Adjust your lighting, background, frame, etc, as you change poses to cater to each individually and create versatile images. Express your ideas, as queens do, and let the camera tell your story.
Photographer: Yuliya Panchenko
Studio: Yuliya Panchenko Photography
Florist: Iryna Schulzhenko
Model/client: Tabitha Hayden
Makeup artist/ Hair stylist: Val Mancini
Filmmaker: Eliar Tabrizy @ Captive Emotions