Shooting Stars: Kloe Armstrong

Shoot Title: Kloe Armstrong

Inspiration: This editorial story was inspired by the famous fashion photographer, Peter Lindbergh. It’s based on a behind-the-scenes video called Ault that was filmed for Vogue magazine in 2014 and features the beautiful models Mariacarla Boscono and Sharon Cohendy.

We traveled to one of Kloe’s favorite places, Arch Cape, OR, with the idea of capturing the same cloudy, misty feeling of Lindbergh’s video. Mother Nature, however, had other ideas. By the time we arrived, the sun was out in full force and the cove was full of surfers.

So our dark and desolate editorial story (originally titled Andata, Italian for “gone”) became a brighter and shinier story named Kloe Armstrong, a simple document of a beautiful person in her favorite place.

How many shoots we’ve done together: at least 10, with two more scheduled for this winter.

Time of year: Fall

Location: Arch Cape, Oregon

Shoot music: The ocean

Shoot munchies: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Most unexpected turn: The sunny weather. (It’s the Pacific Northwest. We expect gloom.)

Kloe’s favorite part of the day: “The atmosphere that we created was absolutely inspiring, especially when it came to really being in that role. I loved the creativity and fun that we were able to incorporate!”

My favorite part of the day: “About 30 minutes before we finished, I watched Kloe’s approach to the camera elevated to a whole new level. Beautiful pictures are great. Seeing greater confidence in the young people with whom I work is even better.”

Camera: Sony A7rIII

Lens: Sigma 105mm f1.4

Propers: Carson Verity, who helped design the initial wardrobe direction; Danielle Armstrong, who made the wardrobe happen (along with providing the peanut butter cups :) and Claire Verity, my always supportive sidekick.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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Shooting Stars: American Beauty

Shoot Title: American Beauty

Inspiration: It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Ralph Lauren, from the rugged style of his designs to the beautiful photography that appears in his advertisements. I’m also a huge fan of Jamie Mack, with whom I’ve worked several times. It’s been a year, at least, since I had the vision of shooting her in the RL style and, finally, this fall we made it happen.

Model: Jamie Mack

How many shoots we’ve done together: 8, dating back to our first headshot session in February 2019

Time of year: Fall

Location: Jamie’s family property (along with the lovely barn at their down-the road-neighbors) in rural Oregon.

Purpose of the shoot: To fulfill my vision and make some amazing pictures of one of my favorite models.

Shoot music: Just the quiet of nature, actually, and the sound of laughter and conversation.

Shoot munchies: Bananas and Bubly, ‘cuz energy and hydration.

Most unexpected turn: After shooting the first two looks at Jamie’s property we drove down the road and finished the last three outfits at their neighbors farm. I had no idea the space was so beautiful or that they would be so accommodating. 

Jamie’s favorite part of the day: The team manages to find pieces and locations that are unique in and of themselves, and once everything comes together the vision combines perfectly. It is always jovial to surround your self with people who are passionate about the art form while complimenting each person’s contribution.

My favorite part of the day: I can’t really narrow it down, to be honest. My wife and sidekick and fashion editor, Claire Verity, did an amazing job of putting together the wardrobe. Alysa Powell-Tetreault of Most Everything Vintage in Vancouver contributed some wonderful vintage items and, as usual, Karina Talaro rocked the hair and makeup looks. And it goes without saying — just look at the pictures — that Jamie is beyond beautiful.

Camera: Sony A7rIII

Lens: Sigma 105mm f1.4 and Canon 85mm f1.8.

Favorite shoot hack: With the exception of the plaid dress, everything in this session was shot at ISO 800 to get that softer, granier feel that comes with a more sensitive film (sensor) setting. There was a time when ISO 800 was to be avoided — there was just too much digital noise — but most cameras these days shoot beautifully at that setting. We also debuted an 8’ x 8’ scrim by Glide Gear which, while a little unwieldy at times, provided a big, bright and gorgeous soft light. The picture at the very bottom of this article was shot with the scrim, camera right.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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Shooting Stars: Spirit

Model: Mallorie Mendoza

Inspiration: This editorial session was inspired by Mallorie, who is one of the most dynamic people I’ve ever met, and a book about designers and creative directors by Nathan Williams called The Eye.

Creative Brief: The creative brief for this editorial was pretty simple: make 3 or 4 black and white images that capture the essence of her personality: powerful, persistent and supremely driven.

How many shoots we’ve done together: Mallorie has been a client for the better part of 10 years. I’ve lost count of how many pictures I’ve taken of her.

Time of year: Winter

Location: Our studio

Purpose of the shoot: For Mallorie’s Mom (and a book we plan to publish in 2021).

Shoot music: We didn’t have any music. We talked a little about what we wanted to shoot and chatted with Mallorie about her first semester at school in New York. Otherwise, it was pretty quiet, almost meditative. It was quite beautiful, actually.

Most unexpected turn: Candidly, we were planning to do 5 outfits but one of them, a big fuzzy jacket on top and a long jacket tied around her waist, didn’t work out so well. The black pants and gray Converse looked pretty cool, though.

Mallorie’s favorite part of the day: “Playing with different sources of light was so cool! Like the one where I was looking out the window. I also loved the vibe of this shoot because it was dancer in fashion wear, which was really fun to do! It felt like what I would want to wear around the streets of New York (if someone could style me all the time. Hah.)”

My favorite part of the day: We shot 5 outfits in 2 hours, including hair and makeup. It was so smooth and collaborative and relaxed and tuned-in, it seemed like it lasted about 5 minutes. It was a brilliant collaboration.

Camera: Sony A7rIII

Lens: Sigma 105mm f1.4

Favorite shoot hack: My approach was purposely very basic. I didn’t want the shoot to be about lights; I wanted it to be about Mallorie. So I used a medium sized Octobox camera right for a few looks, a beauty dish overheard with some fill for another and light from a window for the last one. She stood on a stool for the last one, if you want to call that a hack.

Propers: The clothes were styled by my bestie, Claire Verity. Hair and makeup was done by the incomparable Karina Talaro. And, of course, none of it happens without Mallorie’s superstar Mom, Janett.