General description is a fashion model in retro styled gown posing in 1920s vintage preserved cinema palace in Jersey City. Profoto 7b strobe into extra large Plume Wafer 200 soft box from side balanced to ambient light from actual theater footlights and vintage stage work light. Ornate detail of the auditorium walls and theater seats lit from second Profoto strobe at back of theater.

I was motivated to stage a fashion shoot at this location after visiting a couple times for vintage movie showings. After attempting to contact the preservation organization a few times with no success, I decided to volunteer on the restoration project. I was initially seeking to make contact with the organization, I ultimately volunteered almost weekly for two years doing everything from stripping/sanding theater seats for restoration to making popcorn at screening nights.

I finally secured access to stage a shoot at the theater with a greater knowledge of the history and eccentricities of the 1929 grand theater. I worked with fashion stylist to source classic gowns that give a nod towards the history of the location. I cast two fashion models from NYC agency I frequently worked with on more conventional catalog shoots. This image is one I had envisioned for the project as an onstage/backstage angle to show a lesser seen view of the unique location.

D810 w/ 55mm Zeiss Otus lens.