By SophieS – 3 March 2024
Looking for photographers
Brigitta Orcsi sent me a message as soon as I posted about my plans to find photographers around Hungary for a 40+ model shoot. She was the first one and immediately came with a specific proposal about this clean, very professional portrait shoot, with inspirational ideas already gathered. She knew what she wanted. And checking out her website left no question in my mind that we needed to make this happen!
We shortly narrowed down the date to the first available appointment in our calendars and set out discussing details about makeup and clothes. We agreed that I would advertise for a makeup artist and stylist, in the hopes of making this photoshoot as crisp-looking as it formulated in our heads.
Very soon we found the right people for the job, and in our little close chat room, we agreed on all the details in absolutely no time. Our makeup artist, Vica Sződy-Zétényi, has already worked with Brigi, so it was an immediate match. Then we added Fanni Rohonczi as a stylist to our group of creatives. Her involvement was the most exciting and new territory. She is into haute couture and festival design, so it brought new aspects to her career to style me. And for me, I have never worked with a designer before, so learning how she operates, where she gets her clothes, her inspiration, and what she creates were so exciting to learn and just altogether what she represents was such an eye-opener.
Jumping into action
On the day we all came together in Brigi’s studio, which is a nice little space with beautiful interior. After short introductions, we wasted no time, and I jumped into hair and makeup. Fanni and Brigi started discussing outfit options, and the next hour quickly went by with the bustling vibe of a photo-shoot and setting things up. It also gave time for some great conversations, giving me insight into the world of these wonderful women. The hardest part was putting the earrings in Fanni prepared for me… I do not wear a lot of jewelry, so a good tip for the next shoot: don’t let your ear-piercing grow in!… lol
Working with the team
As soon as we started shooting, the team spirit transformed into a very focused group of professionals. Brigi was strict with the poses she wanted to see and taught me so much about the small things that always bothered me: like how to hold your hand, even your fingers, how to move in front of the camera and even how to smile. Her images reflect this professionalism so much! I was worried that if I am too overly instructed, then my face will carry fewer emotions, but somehow almost every image came out perfect. (Well as good as they can be given the ingredients of a 40 something in front of the camera lol)
Vica was on standby and took care of every string of hair being in the right place, and Fanni, when not ironing or dressing me, was making sure we have plenty of behind-the-scenes footage. The collaboration was smooth and effortless. Somehow everybody knew their task, and we supported each other all the way through, making sure that the content we create is valuable for all of us. Brigi and I can use it for our portfolio, Vica and Fanni can use it to showcase makeup and style, respectively.
A day after the shoot, the raw images were already available, and we all had the opportunity to choose a handful of pictures each that Brigi would do some post-work on. These images are now available in the portfolio, go and check under SophieS on our website.
A new insight
A huge thank you for these wonderful ladies for letting me see into their professional life, giving me advice and to better myself in their areas of expertise, and making these images look so elegant and professional, that the output on its own just blew my mind.
The best compliment of the day, from our makeup artist Vica: it’s so nice that you actually look the same in real life as in your pictures. In this world, when everybody is using face apps, I never know who will actually sit in my chair for makeup. 😊
As for conclusion: I gained new insight into the world of photography and styling, I now have pictures that showcase a look I never knew I can have and was able to network and gain new connections, which in the future can be so valuable.
Once again realized how small this world is by listening to stories of these women who met for the first time, yet they know other creators (photographers, models, etc.) that I already had a chance to meet in my rather short life-cycle of this project.
The network in every profession you delve into is amazing! Keep connecting and keep putting yourself out there!
To see more of the teams work, check out the links below.
Photographer – Brigitta Orcsi – www.briphoto.hu
MUA – Vica Sződy-Zétényi – zetenyimakeup.hu
Stylist: Fanni Rohonczi – Instagram – @rohonczi_fanni
