Venus as a Boy (On going Series)

I reached out to talent and social media influencer Jeffery King for an hour session that ended up lasting several hours. It was well worth it. I absolutely love shooting at FD Studios! I love how easy it is to create with studio lights and cool back drops to choose from and how the talent changes according to the backdrop, it's all very fun.

My photographic plan was to focus on the theme Venus as a Boy is a look into male beauty as handsome, as sweet, as gentle, as mysterious, as mystical, as theatrical and so on. I loved working with Mr. King, because he was so versatile and isn't afraid of also bending gender stereo types.

As I am always pushing the stereo types of what is creatively acceptable for women to photograph, I’d like to venture into defining stereo types of what is socially acceptable for women to photograph and how we view men as well. Of course I am more widely accepted as a photographer when I photograph beautiful naked women, babies and weddings. However, those subjects never interested me. We are all bombarded in what is socially acceptable to find attractive as a strait white woman, as a mixed race gay man and so on.

There is a quote from the late Peter Lindberg,

"If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society, then, there is only one way for the future - to define women as strong and independent.

This should be the responsibility of photographers today - to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection."

Venus as a Boy by Marlena Elise

Model @jkingla

Photographer @Marlena.Elise

Photographed at FD Studios

Behind the Scenes with Joao Carlos Photography and Killer Kelly

It was a great honor for me to not only visit Portugal as a traveler but also as a photographer. For those of you who are new to this blog, I have said before that Portugal is the Mistress of Europe as the country is rich in art and culture so are the people. I have traveled abroad to places such as Greece, Italy, Germany and the UK, but of all my travels I only fell in love with two. One of those countries is Portugal. Although much of my current work highlights some travel, I have a huge passion for the arts and raising women up.

I had an incredible opportunity to assist Fashion Photographer Joao Carlos the most praised editorial and fashion photographer of Portugal. His imagery has graced many magazines and has partnered with many companies such as Fuji, Pro Photo, Sandisk, Hasselblad and many more. He’s not only an extremely skilled photographer but he is very humble and excellent in breaking down many photography’s most technical aspects in a digestible manner.

I was pleasantly surprised at how often he and well he collaborates with women in not only professionally but in subject matter. In all my experience I have worked and assisted many male photographers such as Fadil Berisha and others who may be great photographers in print but fail at working well with others, such as with assistants and women. However, Joao, has a way with people of all backgrounds, ages and communities which makes him ideal not only as a Brand Ambassedor, Photographer and Mentor.

Here are some behind the scenes I captured of his shoot with the Pro Foto 10 B Lights (just released), Fuji Film GFX 50 S 32-64. 4 Fujinon Lens and much more he breaks down each step on his blog Beauty is in the Light here.

The BTS shots were with my (Fuji T-X1) and Killer Kelly (The first Portuguese Wrestler of WWE). She is not only strong, a fierce competitor but she is also very kind and a female fixture in a very male dominated sport. Keep yourselves on the lookout for women who rock like Killer Kelly!

XXOO,

Marlena