Image Focus

The image was part of a series I was shooting for a Polish fashion brand – Caterina. I often work with the brand to shoot their latest fashion collections, so we know each other well and I understand what they are looking for in a photoshoot, and how they want their clothing line to be captured. As we’re very familiar with each other’s style and have a process in place, there isn’t a lot of planning that needs to be communicated when I take on the shoots.

One of the key elements that we want to portray through the images is showing the personality of women, highlighting their strength through the imagery, and captured very naturally. We also want to see the designs and the fabrics they are made from clearly.

Usually, we will shoot in a studio, but shooting in nature is always my favourite place to capture imagery. It’s invigorating and never boring as you explore the landscape and can play around with how you can place the subject in the surroundings. With this particular shoot it did prove tricky as not everything went to plan, as is the case when working with nature. But I took things slowly and simply and took this shot which I love.

I shot the image with the Sony Alpha 7 IV and FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, but also had the 24mm f/1.4 GM on the shoot. I like using the 70-200mm as it allows me to shoot at a good working distance to the model, and I can quickly change from a full length to a mid-length shot or capture more of the scene in the image if needed.

I love shooting with the Alpha 7 IV, the image quality is great for capturing vibrancy in my work. But what I really love is the viewfinder, when I’m using it, I feel more connected to the camera.

Although it looks very wild, the location is close to Warsaw. The city is surrounded by a green zone, and it is always easy to find some wilderness. It was a very rainy day, and I was worried about the model and the crew and how this would affect the shoot. The conditions in the forest weren’t ideal, with swamp areas and tree branches. However, I had full confidence in the weather sealing of my Alpha 7 IV and 70-200mm lens for these conditions.

I shot many images with different styles and expressions, but this one stands out to me because sometimes it is the simplest one that is the winner. It has a great balance between the green and fuchsia, and the model looks in the camera with confidence, almost as though she has some kind of secret.

I also love the natural colours and how the pink/purple stands out against the backdrop of the greenery. The rainy day made the greens even deeper and the colours of the clothes shine like tropical plants in a dense rainforest. To me the image symbolises the woman as being like a flower, standing tall with these strong bold colours against the lush green background.