Digital Transitions – My first 80 Megapixel images with the Phase One IQ180

PHASE ONE IQ CONFERENCE • MILK STUDIO

March 20, 2012

From the moment I arrived at the Phase One IQ Conference last Tuesday at Milk Studio in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, I felt right at home. Hosted by Digital Transitions, the all-day conference left me more determined than ever to make an IQ back a permanent part of my gear. Check-in was a breeze, having registered online ahead of time so I headed straight to the Hands-on IQ session taking place in Studio A, which was outfitted with top of the line Broncolor packs, heads and light modifiers.

© Tony Powell. Linnea Hart. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Eye Detail. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Linnea Hart. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Phase One IQ system. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

I’d been waiting to try out this system for several years so when I held the Phase One 645DF for the first time it was as though I’d owned the camera from the start. The way it fits in the hands and the weight of the body and lens felt as if the system were a natural extension of my arms and eyes – exactly how I had hoped it would feel. The one thing I couldn’t anticipate, though, was the enormous difference in quality of the image produced by the 80-megapixel and my 21-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II. There is NOTHING like it and I’ll never look at image-making the same way again.

Photo by Daniel Sone. My first time shooting with the Phase One IQ 180! Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Phase One Capture Pilot demonstration. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Broncolor Tutorial with Andre. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Lena Vesel. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Linnea Hart. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

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It reminded me of the first frames I made with my very first medium format film camera – the twin lens reflex Mamiya C3 - in 1995. When those scanned transparencies came back from the photo shop I couldn’t believe the level of detail and the high dynamic range that the 6×6 format offered.

Mamiya C3 Twin Lens Reflex

I soon-after bought he Hasselblad 501 CM and in so doing, found my camera of choice…so I thought. The Phase One 645DF with the IQ back has changed it all and it’s a matter of when, not if, it’ll be my next system.

Hasselblad 501CM

With the advent of the digital age in the late 90′s and early 2000′s – more and more more pressure was placed on “film” photographers to jump on board the pixel bandwagon. Outfitting my medium format gear with the digital backs that were showing up on the market at the time proved too cost prohibitive to justify the expense, so I bought my first DSLR, instead – the Canon 20D. A succession of cameras followed…the 40D, the Canon G11, the 7D for a brief time, and ultimately (2) 5D Mark IIs…all the while, waiting for the day I could afford to return to the medium format – but this time at the digital level.

© Tony Powell. Digital Transitions rep Lance Schad and photographer Jaime DeMarco discuss the differences between DSLRs and the digital medium format. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Phase One IQ back on an Arca Swiss technical camera. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Models Lena Vesel and Linnea Hart. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Conference presenter/photographer Jaime DeMarco examining the accuracy of the IQ 180's focussing mask.

© Tony Powell. Digital Workstation. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

© Tony Powell. Lena Vesel. Milk Studio NYC. March 20, 2012

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Allie’s First Shoot

Photography © Tony Powell • May 16, 2011

The birth of my new daughter – Alessandra Bella Wood – 3 months ago has been a blessing beyond words. Only images seem to be able to convey, with any accuracy, the beauty and profundity surrounding the arrival of our new little soul!

Alessandra Bella Wood. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Lisa and Allie. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Alessandra Bella Wood. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Lisa and Allie. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Lisa and Allie. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Alessandra Bella Wood. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

Alessandra Bella Wood. Photo © Tony Powell. May 16, 2011

April Editorial (Behind the Scenes)

Credit: Maria Plutz/Tony Powell Images

WASHINGTON LIFE MAGAZINE APRIL FASHION EDITORIAL

PHOTOGRAPHER Tony Powell

MODEL Natalie Hockey

DATE Sunday, March 20, 2011

LOCATION Tudor Place, Georgetown

CLOTHING STYLISTS Krystal Ugo & Kristin Lyle

HAIRSTYLIST Warren Beautiful

MAKEUP ARTIST Leah Bassett

LIGHTING ASSISTANTS: Andrew Paterini, Daniel Gill, and Maria Plutz

Credit: Maria Plutz/Tony Powell Images

Credit: Maria Plutz/Tony Powell Images

Credit: Maria Plutz/Tony Powell Images

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Pole2Pole Centerfold Shoot

When the call came asking if I’d be interested in shooting a centerfold spread for the International Pole Dancing Magazine Pole2Pole, I jumped at the opportunity. Last week, I got to collaborate once again with my good friend, top-ranking pole dancer and Pole Pressure Studio owner, Jessalynn Medairy.

Photo © Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. November 22, 2010

Photo © Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. November 22, 2010

There’s an unspoken trust and mutual admiration that’s apparent each time we get together to shoot. The new main shooting space at Sly Horse Studio was the perfect location at which to shoot. The high ceilings and the ample array of in-house studio equipment easily handled the potential challenges of shooting a dancer on a 15-foot high pole.

Photo © Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. November 22, 2010

Photo © Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. November 22, 2010

April Rae Giangeruso

© Tony Powell. April Rae Giangeruso. August 25, 2010

The time I got to spend photographing American Ballet Theatre ballerina April Rae Giangeruso was an afternoon I’ll never forget! Gracious, intuitive, and abundantly talented, are just a few adjectives to describe one of the newest members of ABT.

© Tony Powell. April Rae Giangeruso. August 25, 2010

© Tony Powell. April Rae Giangeruso. August 25, 2010

Trump Day!

A behind the scenes peek at my photo shoot with Donald Trump • August 19, 2010 • Trump National Golf Club

Tony Powell. Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of John Arundel/All rights reserved

One of the highlights of the summer was getting the call last week asking if I was available to photograph Donald Trump – on the grounds of his newly aquired golf course – for a Fall issue of Washington Life Magazine. The magazine’s Associate Publisher John Arundel was on hand to interview Trump and it all went off without a hitch. However, bad weather on the day of the originally-planned shoot very nearly put the brakes on the whole deal.

Tony Powell. Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of John Arundel/All rights reserved

Sunny skies prevailed over the greens of Trump National Golf Club in Loudon County, VA,  the following day, so once again all systems were go. Arriving early to the club, with my photo assistant Kate Leuba, gave us an opportunity to be fully prepared for Mr. Trump’s arrival – by helicopter! I was advised by a groundsman to hold on to my lighting equipment for dear life as he lands – that the high winds and flying debris might blow it all away. Glad I heeded his warning – I’m still finding grass in my camera bags!

Photo courtesy of John Arundel/All rights reserved

Photo courtesy of John Arundel/All rights reserved

Photo by Kate Leuba/All rights reserved

Emilia and Alex Get Married!!

All images © Tony Powell • August 9, 2010 • Westwood Country Club • Vienna, VA

© Tony Powell

When a former dance student of mine, Emilia Burke (now Montalvo), called me up and asked if I would photograph her wedding I was beyond grateful. It’s about the most meaningful day in the life of a couple, and the opportunity to share their special day with them this past Monday was a highlight of the summer. Their wedding, on a golf course in Vienna, VA provided a unique opportunity to utilize a variety of natural backgrounds, and the carefully manicured greens at Westwood Country Club delivered in droves. Here’s a sneak peek at the wedding of Emilia and Alex!

© Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Next up? I’m looking forward to shooting THE wedding of the Fall social season: Michele Seiver and DC Councilmember Jack Evans tie the knot this September!!

Hushed Dialogue

Images by Tony Powell • Words by Natalie Berk

© Tony Powell. Natalie Berk. May 17, 2010

I had the honor of being photographed by Tony Powell yesterday. Being my first artistic shoot, it was an enlightening experience. As a young girl on the threshold of a grown-up world, it’s sometimes difficult to shed anxieties and it’s scary giving yourself permission to just relax – but with my Mother at my side holding a big silver reflection board, and Tony cracking jokes, I slowly began to let go.

© Tony Powell. Natalie Berk. May 17, 2010

© Tony Powell. Natalie Berk. May 17, 2010

© Tony Powell. Natalie Berk. May 17, 2010

Working with Synetic Theater has taught me that each body holds its own individual story. Tony, as a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, shares this frame of mind. It’s unbelievable to have an established artist like Tony collaborate with a young artist such as myself. And I am so incredibly lucky to have him to give breath to my artistic visions.

© Tony Powell. Natalie Berk. May 17, 2010

Today I watched some of my own stories come to life through the moments captured by Tony’s lens.

Building Ballets III

© Tony Powell. Between Time. March 28, 2010. Dancers: Devon Teuscher, Junio Teixeira, Se-Yong Kim, and Enton Hoxha

It finally happened! My 120th ballet, “Between Time” (no longer “In Between Time,” I dropped the “In”) was successfully given its World Premiere last night at Baltimore Ballet‘s 10th Anniversary Gala. Originally slated to have its first go February 6th, the Gala was postponed until March 28th – the result of last month’s snow storm of epic proportions that we all unwittingly endured.

© Tony Powell. Between Time. March 28, 2010. Dancers: Devon Teuscher, Junio Teixeira, Se-Yong Kim, and Enton Hoxha

To top it all off when it came time to reassemble the original members of my cast (8 dancers) I was informed that 2 of them weren’t able to get released from their contracts to perform on the new date, and another was struggling with ankle problems. Instead of throwing in the towel, I chose to remain optimistic and zeroed in on the middle movement of the ballet as a point of departure. It made sense to re-work this section – a pas de quatre or dance for four – and transform it into a work that could live on its own. I’d originally chopped off a minute and a half of the music, by much in-demand composer Max Richter, to balance the flow of the ballet but returned the score to its original length which provided an opportunity to add to the dimension of the pas de deux that opens that section. With each of the four dancers working in and around New York City – ABT, Met Opera Ballet, and New Jersey Ballet – I knew I had to go there  (twice last week) if I wanted to bring the piece back to life after the 7-week hiatus.

© Tony Powell. Between Time. March 28, 2010. Dancers: Devon Teuscher, Junio Teixeira

© Tony Powell. Between Time. March 28, 2010. Dancers: Devon Teuscher, Junio Teixeira

It was worth EVERY minute! Just after the curtain came down on me bowing with the dancers I left the stage only to be thrust into the arms of a female stagehand that was crying after having watched my piece. We bonded in that moment as we cried together. Who could ask for a greater compliment than that? I realized – maybe for the first time – that I’d been able to translate something very personal to me into something meaningful to others.

© Tony Powell. Between Time. March 28, 2010. Dancers: Devon Teuscher, Junio Teixeira, Se-Yong Kim

IMPACT DANCE • March 20, 2010

© Tony Powell. Impact Dance Company. March 20, 2010

My first experience – last Saturday – shooting at Sly Horse Studio in Rockville was a great success! I’m giving my first “Capturing Motion” Master Class there April 4th from 1-4pm with top DC dancer Delphina Parenti as the model for the live shooting portion of the workshop. My wife Kellie co-directs a dance company called IMPACT, with fellow dancer and choreographer Candra Preshong. Their need for new promo pix for an upcoming concert provided the perfect opportunity to try out new studio digs. What a relief not to have to lug around a trunk full of equipment for a change. Every piece of equipment I use on a regular basis (except my camera) was available, on-site, for the asking…strobes, soft boxes, reflectors of every stripe, grids, flags, V-cards, etc.

IMPACT Dance Company. Photo © Tony Powell. March 20, 2010

© Tony Powell. Impact Dance Company. March 20, 2010

The most convenient aspect of the studio’s setup is the complex overhead rail system! The way in which the strobe lighting system (White Lightning) is affixed to it is ingenious. Each mono-light can be moved up/down/sideways/diagonally to achieve nearly any angle required. Each of the 4 strobes has been wired to lead directly into one commander which allows for light adjustment in one centrally located place. No longer do I have to run back and forth to each lamp adjusting intensities of light. This ability to quickly adjust light levels and light positioning increased my workflow and gave me the freedom to experiment with a wide range of lighting setups.

© Tony Powell. Impact Dance Company. March 20, 2010

Pole Pressure!

© Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. 11.25.09

An unlikely set of circumstances led to my introduction to top-ranked pole dancer and Pole Pressure studio owner Jessalynn Medairy last week which culminated today in one of the most productive and meaningful photo shoots I’ve ever organized. Productive in that Jessalynn has a work ethic similar to mine and meaningful as it proved to be the right time, the right place, and the right person with which to attempt a fully bare-body outdoor shoot. I’m preparing new work for an exhibit, in the new year, of my large-scale photography, and some of these images are prime candidates for the show.

© Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. 11.25.09

We almost didn’t meet. After a long night of shooting for Tiffany & Co. in Tyson’s Corner last Saturday, I remembered that my friend Lani Hay had invited me to Jayne Sandman‘s 30th birthday party at the The Rookery. I really wanted to celebrate with Jayne and also to hear (Lani’s husband) Mark T. Smith, Jay Scott, and (Jayne’s husband) Jeff Dufour‘s rock band, which headlined the B-day bash – but my body was asking to get some sleep. I’m glad that better thinking prevailed.

© Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. 11.25.09

When I arrived, the band was already in high gear and the place was a sea of familiar faces and friends: Holidae Hayes, Winston Lord, Amanda and Curtis Polk, Susanna Quinn, Cindy and Evan Jones, Lindsay Czarniak, Jessica Gibson, Patrick Gavin, Lee Brenner, and Alexe Nowakowski.

I spied an attractive blonde woman hanging out with Sharon Yang and something about her seemed special…but I didn’t know what. I later discover that she was none other than Sharon’s pole dance teacher, Jessalynn Medairy, among the top 12 pole dancers in the US for 2009 and in the top 15 for 2010.

© Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. 11.25.09

The woman has NO inhibitions – and that distinction shone through, lending the resulting images we created an immediacy that only authenticity can provide. She IS her art and, at least for the 4 hours we were together, we breathed as one. I can’t remember a time when I was more in sync with the person in front of my lens than with Jessalynn. Shooting started early in the afternoon – indoors at the Carriage House Studio, home of the DC Photographers Coop – near 9th and O Sts. The 9.5 foot tension-based pole she brought with her was securely erected within minutes – snugly fitting between floor and ceiling, providing the necessary support for the myriad moves she executed over and over again.

As luck would have it the rain stopped as soon as we finished in the studio so we headed over to Rock Creek Park to a secluded area near The Nature Center. We were able to get in a hundred shots of what I really wanted to shoot: the bare form in space, outdoors, in nature. We erected her portable stage and 10 foot pole right there in the middle of the woods. My strobes were being powered outside by one of two sine wave inverters that I own, which gives me roughly 300-400 full power bursts of light with as many lights as needed, attached. The only disadvantage of working with an inverter is not being able to use the modeling light on a strobe head for any length of time, as the battery will deplete quickly or worse yet, the inverter can become damaged.

© Tony Powell. Jessalynn Medairy. 11.25.09

An additional sign of support from the Universe came in the form of the Sun – it showed it’s face the second I was set up and ready to take my first shot. That bit of Sun changed everything for the better so the portable lighting was repositioned to allow the Sun to be my rim light. We’ve planned our second shoot together once she returns from an International pole dance tour of England and France.

She’s heading to Europe today for a week of competitions, teaching, and workshops. A dancer, choreographer, and teacher of dance myself, I found the newness of her very specific movement style intriguing, forever expanding my limited conception of movement and portraiture.

Booshie Shoot

© Tony Powell. Juelles Chester. 11.23.09

You never know who you’ll meet or where it might lead when staying open to all possibilities! Choreographer and dancer Kate Jordan invited me to the most recent open house at the Carriage House Studio, just before Halloween. The loosely knit group of photographers (pros and hobbyists) that comprise the DC Photographers Co-Op come together there once a month to share ideas and also to work with a variety of models, in the studio, and throughout the adjacent alleyways in the historic Logan Circle corridor of DC.

© Tony Powell. Juelles Chester. 11.23.09

© Tony Powell. Erica Dudley a.k.a. Model Keka. 11.23.09

The models that night a few weeks ago were dancers on loan from Kate’s dance company – they also rehearse there as part of an exchange. The stylist was a newbie seamstress and Booshie Design founder, Ginger Carlin – she only started sewing a year ago. What I first noticed about her was an overabundance of energy – she bounced around from model to model adjusting clothing (all her designs), applying makeup, and touching up tresses of hair, here and there. A veritable one stop shop for models, she seemed like an ideal partner for a photo shoot.

© Tony Powell. Vanja Simovic.11.23.09

© Tony Powell. Juelles Chester. 11.23.09

We hit it off right away. A casting call went out and we had 3 great new faces with which to work – Vanja Simovic, Juelles Chester, and Erica Dudley a.k.a. Model Keka. Makeup artist Carl Ray, Hairstylist Shannon Greene, and my photo assistant Kevin Smoot, rounded out the team.

© Tony Powell. Erica Dudley a.k.a. Model Keka. 11.23.09

Fast forward to the day before yesterday! Our grand plan for an all-day shoot at the Carousel, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park came to a screeching halt when Mother Nature showed us her plans for the course of the day! The steady downpour of rain forced us inside and thanks to Ginger we were able to get the Carriage House studio on short notice. After a long day of shooting and some homemade chicken and steak fajitas back at Ginger’s Q Street crash pad we were ready for round 2! But where? Still raining, Ginger, model Juelles, and I drove all over NW DC looking for a quirky indoor location. A gas station? Safeway? The nightclub Heaven and Hell? Tryst? At midnight I finally decided to try the lobby of the Donovan House on Thomas Circle. After a series of emails and phone calls to the director of PR and Marketing, we got the green light. The PR director remembered my name from the summer when I would come up to shoot parties on the roof by the pool each week.

Art Soiree

Art Soiree presents a perfect way to end the FotoWeek DC in an elegant and memorable fashion.

Join us Sunday, November 15th at 7pm for the most unique event in the city

“THROUGH THE EYES OF MEN”

You are invited to an exclusive photo-exhibition featuring five most esteemed local male photographers at a brand new, upscale and sophisticated venue – The Reserve – latest addition to the DC Restaurant and Lounge Scene. The Reserve is the perfect place for a casual yet elegant evening of dining, wining and lounging in an industrial, modern two level loft-like space. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to see Women’s Beauty through the lens of these prestigious photographers, savor great wines from around the world and delight in complimentary food samples from Chef De Pue.

We are proud to present:
5 photographers 5 personalities 5 passions 5 imaginations 5 techniques

HISHAM IBRAHIM
TONY POWELL
SERGIU ODAINIC
JERRY R. HARKE
ANTHONY BRICE

Our Art Soiree is all about exhibiting exceptional art in a unique setting for ONE NIGHT AND ONE NIGHT ONLY. This time you’ll be able to meet and interact with the photographers and appreciate their work. Come early to groove to new beats from DJ MOVA and continue into the night with DJ ODAINIQ.

Courtney Portraits!

Courtney Caldwell. Georgetown. October 22, 2009. All images © Tony Powell

To see the entire photostream click here!

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

© Tony Powell. October 22, 2009

Samantha Craig

Samantha Craig. October 21, 2009. Northwest Washington, DC & National Harbor Waterfront, MD

Makeup by Carl Ray

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

© Tony Powell. Samantha Craig. 10.21.09

DANCERS AND BODY MODELS CALL!

DANCERS AND BODY MODELS CALL!

If interested, direct message me at tonypowell1@comcast.net instead of responding to this post or call me at 301.343.7805. I’m preparing for a gallery show – Body Language - of new images captured in darkness, experimenting with the effect of light on bodies in motion and at rest.

Looking for uninhibited, spontaneous dancers/models between the ages of 18-26 to collaborate with on this project. Up to 6 photos will be given to each dancer/model to add to your portfolio.

All photos taken in a safe, relaxed, and professional environment with a maximum time commitment of 3 hours. Forward this post to anyone you think fits the criteria and may be interested. Thanks, Tony

Carrie Miller Portfolio

Click here to see the entire photo shoot!

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. 9th & G Sts., NW. October 10, 2009

Shortly before photographing Barack Obama and Lady Gaga for Washington Life Magazine on Saturday, Carrie Miller and I were able to squeeze in our first photo shoot together. I’d seen her a few times with lawyer and night-lifer John Burns, while I was shooting over the summer at the W Hotel, but I never had a chance to introduce myself. I decided to ask her to shoot with me when I saw her again this past Thursday night at the grand re-opening of the W. My instincts were dead on. Carrie is one of the most naturally gifted models I’ve worked with to date. I normally leave a shoot with a handful of usable images but the portfolio Carrie and I created Saturday yielded dozens.

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. Chinatown. October 10, 2009

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. Chinatown. October 10, 2009

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. Dupont Circle, NW. October 10, 2009. Clothing by Terra Boutique

Little did I know that time was of the essence if we were to make this work. She was heading back to school at USC Sunday night, so when I got the call on Friday that she could only shoot Saturday, I had to scramble to make it work. And work it did!

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. Chinatown. October 10, 2009

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. 9th & G Sts., NW. October 10, 2009

I didn’t  want to try to round up a few assistants in a day so I decided to shoot before and during the “golden hour” – the hour after the sun has risen above the horizon line or the hour just before the sun dips below it – a time of day when the shadows cast by the sun are least harsh. With the help of her boyfriend John, I was able to shoot, guerilla style, at a few different locations around DC.

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. 9th & G Sts., NW. October 10, 2009

© Tony Powell. Carrie Miller. Dupont Circle, NW. October 10, 2009

Backgrounds exist everywhere. Training the eye to make use of any location and deciding how to light it is the great challenge. The process of creating an image is as rewarding, if not more so than the image itself. The only way to surmount a new obstacle is to take a chance at thinking or doing something in a different way. I’d never grow in understanding if I always did what I’ve always done. Instead of canceling the shoot when it started to rain lightly, I went with it, taking advantage of the even, overcast lighting produced by the thick overhead clouds – the greatest of all softboxes….and it’s free! With a set of brand new White Lightnings and my new Canon 5D, we set out to create something that was never there before.

A Passion for Fashion

Check out all the photos here !

Lindsay Kin wearing a vintage Bob Mackie © Tony Powell

Sunday’s fashion shoot at Meridian Hill Park and later – 35th & Reservoir in Georgetown –  was like a dream come true. I never really thought I’d be able to assemble a first-rate group of hair and makeup artists, or work with models and designers that I admire without having deep pockets or Leibovitz as a last name. But with lots of honest hard work and plenty of gentle begging I was able to do just that.

Andrew Paterini wearing Andrew Nowell and Stefanie Ball in a gown by Carmen Marc Valvo © Tony Powell

Stefanie Ball and Andrew Paterini © Tony Powell

With my website launching on my birthday – November 14th – I needed one more photo shoot to complete my fashion gallery (for the time being) in time for the launch. My good friends Susanna Quinn and Lily Mazahery were gracious enough to lend me current and vintage couture dresses from their personal collections just for this photo shoot. With dresses by Vera Wang, Nicole Miller, Bob Mackie, and Carmen Marc Valvo, I was entrusted with clothing worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Lindsay Kin, Brooke Monahan, and Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

The hair and makeup team for this shoot were all new to me but it felt like we’ve been together from the start.

Lindsay Kin wearing Nicole Miller, Andrew Paterini, and Brooke Monahan in vintage Vera Wang © Tony Powell

I saw Shana Janelle Swain‘s makeup before I ever met her, at a fashion show I photographed at K Street Lounge over the summer. Eduardo Bravo is a very popular hairstylist in Georgetown, and hair & makeup artist Myken Garcia was introduced to me by styling wunderkind James Cornwell backstage after the Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) runway show last Friday night! One of the most talented and kind people I know, clothing stylist Anais de Viel Castel, agreed to help me bring the clothes to life. We started at Washington Life at the exact same time 3 years ago and have been friends ever since!

Crystal Hannon wearing a dress by Studio D Maxsi © Tony Powell

Two other meaningful things happened that night, at FFP. When I saw through my lens, model Lindsay Kin, walk down that runway in the  Chinese Ballroom of the Mayflower Hotel, I knew right away I had to work with her. She was wearing clothes by Studio D Maxsi, and as soon as that set was over I left my camera (something I never do) to race back to meet both model and designer before being swallowed up by the next wave of outfits and models to go out on the runway. I had been waiting to meet the right model to wear the red Bob Mackie dress that leads this posting. When I met Lindsay I knew she was the one. She was kind enough to oblige and I can say that never has an idea in my mind been so easily transferred to the real World. I almost didn’t go the runway show that night…the organizers were very busy and I didn’t know if I had place from which to shoot. That’s the beauty of staying open, of moving towards fear, not running away from it. I went that night despite the fear I wouldn’t have a place to get a good shot. It turns out that FFP founders Sylvie Luanghy and Kadrieka Maiden not only had a place for me, it was the best center spot in the house…and I almost stayed at home.

Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

Andrew Paterini © Tony Powell

Portrait shoot with George Clinton

George Clinton, photographed by Tony Powell

Thursday, September 24, 2009 The Lofts, Adams Morgan, at the home of Julian Epstein and Lee Barona

George Clinton © Tony Powell

George Clinton © Tony Powell

Urban Chic Shoot

Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

Crystal Hannon © Tony Powell

Thanks to the staff of Urban Chic, yesterday got off to a great start with a photo shoot at one of the most solid and of the moment boutiques for ladies in DC. When model Courtney Caldwell and fashion blogger/stylist Mekeda Saggau-Sackey approached me – at Noche de Gala last Monday – about shooting there, I couldn’t resist. Washington Life Magazine has sent me there twice to cover events: Shoshanna Lonstein’s trunk show and a Spring shopping event, so I knew the layout, but found the back patio and parking lot to be great impromptu locations to take pictures. Courtney is a natural. I could have photographed her all day. I brought along my newest model/friend, Crystal Hannon, to get to know her, in front of the lens, before our really big couture shoot this Sunday – two very wealthy friends have agreed to loan vintage couture dresses by Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, and Nicole Miller. Our first shoot together yesterday was a great success, even though my Pocket Wizards had a mind of their own and decided to trigger the strobes whenever they chose. I guess I’m heading over to Penn Camera today. After the Urban Chic shoot, Crystal and I found a wooded area on Whitehaven that was ideal for playing around with black and white photography. I learned from it all and the results exceeded my expectations. If I can walk away from a shoot with a handful of solid images I’m satisfied. Yesterday’s shoot yielded dozens. Let’s just hope that the rain stays away this Sunday!!!

Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell

Crystal Hannon © Tony Powell

Courtney and Crystal © Tony Powell