Shooting Stars: Claire Dailey
This month’s Shooting Stars feature offers a retrospective of images created over the past two years with teenage model Claire Dailey, shot in Portland, OR and Phoenix, AZ for the Ford/Robert Black Agency.
Model: Claire Dailey
How We Met: Claire’s Mom, Julie, reached out to us via Instagram and invited to come to Phoenix, where she helped us connect with a number of other Moms and models, many of whom have become regular customers.
Our First Session: We did our first session in January 2020, just a few months before the arrival of COVID-19. I told her Mom I like a “rock and roll vibe” and she came up with four amazing outfits, including this leather jean and jacket combo that made for an amazing close to a great session.
Our Most Recent Session: Our most recent session included 8 outfits shot over the course of two days. On Day 1, we bounced around her neighbor’s backyards and shot a mix of Free People and beach wear. On Day 2, we rented an authentic 70s location, complete with wood paneling and shag carpets, and matched our love for Free People with a zealous affection for the olden days. We also listened to the Mamas and Papas.
What We’ve Done In-Between: Like everyone, the shutdown slowed us down. It took almost a year for us to get to session 2, which happened in downtown Vancouver, WA and featured what “Phoenixians” called winter wear (but what Northwesters call a “light sweater”). All totaled, we’ve shot 30 different outfits over 8 sessions in just over 2 years. We’ve shot in the desert, on a boat and in downtown streets all over Vancouver and Phoenix.
Favorite Session: They’ve all had their highlights but my favorite sessions are probably the first — ‘cuz, you know, rock and roll — along with the images we did on the boat. Claire and I had known each other for awhile and that’s when we really connected, which raised our work up several notches. Shooting in the desert was fun, too.
Purpose of the shoots: For Claire’s agency portfolio at Ford/RBA.
Shoot music: Well, we did listen to 60s and 70s music at our last session but, for the most part, things are pretty quiet on our sets.
Most unexpected turn: For our session in Tonto National park, I wore flip flops into the desert and learned about cactuses that actually jump onto your legs because they sense the heat of your skin. That’s was an unexpected turn. And we got thrown out of the lobby of a hotel once, but not before I got all the pictures we needed. (The security guard was not fooled.)
The reason why we love Claire Dailey: In a world of overnight influencers and kids who think they're brands (and have forgotten they’re kids), Claire stands out because of what’s she’s not. She’s not full of herself, not wrapped up in her beauty, seemingly unfazed by how she looks in pictures. She quiet, humble and unassuming, the kind of kid who actually should be influencing other teenagers.
Camera: Sony A7rIII
Lenses: For the most part, I use Sigma lenses. The Sigma 105mm f1.4 is a particular favorite.
Lighting: Pretty much everything in these pictures was done with natural light. It’s just about pointing the model in the right direction. We did use a makeup ring light to photograph her in a hotel room but, otherwise, the sun is what does the job.
Team:
Talent: Claire Dailey (Instagram)
Creative Director and Photographer: Michael Verity (Instagram)
Fashion Editor: Julie Dailey
Portland/Vancouver Hair and Makeup Stylist: Karina Talaro (Instagram)
Phoenix Hair and Makeup Stylist: James Matthew
Agency: Ford/Robert Black (Instagram)