Fashion Photography Archives - Steve Marsel Studio

What Makes a Woman a Lady 101. Photography by Steve Marsel

December 7, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

She has to be intelligent, she has to be attractive to a point, not a bombshell, just attractive. She has to appear effortlessly well kept, and she has to dress in a casual way yet, anyone that knows fashion would recognize her extremely high end duds. These simple directions will turn Jacqueline Bouvier into Jackie O and Kate Middleton into the Princess of Wales. (continued below photograph)

Original Photography by Boston Advertising & Commercial Photographer Steve Marse — Photograph © Steve Marsel

After all, the most beloved ladies of the century were commoners at one point. Coco Chanel was an orphan, Lady Di was a commoner with a penchant for McDonalds, newby-Kate Middleton is the daughter of a flight attendant/ flight dispatcher marriage and Jackie O loved her denim bell bottoms. The facade of ease trumps Bergdorf Blondes every time. Don your best frock ladies and head for the streets, diners and coin laundromat; you never know where you might meet your prince.

Elyse Lightner

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

“Jackie O” Photograph © Steve Marsel, Model – Alicia Barrett, Hair by Darren Le, Retouching by Travis Williams, “Jackie O” wardrobe by Chanel Styled by Elyse Lightner

Visit Steve Marsel’s other sites: Steve Marsel Studio, the assignment site and flagship site of the Steve Marsel brand, Steve Marsel Stock, the rights managed digital stock library of Steve Marsel Studio, Steve Marsel Galleries, the private gallery site of the Steve Marsel Studio. Visit one of Boston Photographer Steve Marsel’s other blogs as well: Steve Marsel Studio Blog , the creative blog of the Steve Marsel Studio. Steve Marsel Galleries Blog, Steve Marsel’s blog that discusses the stories behind the photographs, and Steve Marsel Stock Blog, the blog of Steve Marsel’s rights managed digital stock photography library that discusses the stories behind the images on the stock site.

Deranged Chic Original Photography by Boston Photographer Steve Marsel

November 25, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

Kate Moss lead us toward Heroin Chic, Mary-Kate Olsen brought us Shabby Chic and the newest obsession du jour is Deranged Chic. The idea is that if you can wear the soaring 5 inch Christian Louboutins (and can afford the soaring prices), then any night-time-show the paparazzi capture is tres chic. Therefore; Rehab is tres chic. House arrest is tres chic. Insane asylums, tres chic. (continued below photo)

What are we to think of a society that values {seemingly} fame and beauty over career achievement, responsibility, and family? My leading ladies (Nicole Richie, LaLohan, Paris Hilton, and the comeback of the century… Britney Spears) were shipped off to jail, rehab, house arrest and mental institutions. Of course, nobody of the contemporary generation feels that people these fabulous deserve to be on lock down of any sort. They play their roles in the American Dream, walking the red carpet and entertaining the rest of us with their 4:00am photo shoots in cars with other celebutantes! Miley Cyrus is 18 this week… Who else can’t wait to see what’s in store from the newest young thing??

C’est la vie..

Elyse Lightner Headshot — Elyse Lightner

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

Additional thanks go to the very talented Stylist Alicia Barrett, Styling assistant – Elyse Lightner, Model – Ashley A., Hair By Darren Le, Make-up by Elizabeth Moon, and Retouching by Emily Scalici. Photography by Steve Marsel

Models are Mannequins by Boston Advertising Photographer Steve Marsel

November 22, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

It’s no coincidence that model means mannequin in French.

Mannequins have long since represented our obsession with perfection in the fashion world. People fawn over their ideal existence of donning their pin-thin frames with the seasons most chic apparel. The immaculate windows of Bergdorf Goodman and Barney’s aren’t the only places you’ll find these mannequins. Photographers have begun to expect nothing less than perfection for their real life shoots, directing models to strike rigid, mannequin like poses and take on an ere of perfection.

Not only are photographers catching onto this mannequin obsession, hair and make-up and trimmed beard are adopting the flawless look too. High fashion makeup, more times than not, duplicate the Barbie, smokey cat-eye and hair wouldn’t budge even if Edna Kiplagat wore the look when she won the NY marathon this year. First it was 5th Ave windows, now in high end fashion photography, next the mannequin trend is sweeping the streets!

As they say, Bisous Bisous (French for kisses, kisses)

Elyse Lightner

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

Additional thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Stellina Syia Hair and Make-up by Jeni Teran The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal, Photograph by Steve Marsel

The Power of White Fashion Photography – by Boston Photographer Steve Marsel

November 11, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

The Power of White by Terry J. Wheaton

White…is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black…God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white. G. K. Chesterton

White is the sum of all other colors in the spectrum. It reflects light. In this image white evokes thoughts of subtle church music, smells of incense, and the wonder and excitement of a new bride. It sets the mood; it encapsulates all that is white and pure. It transcends continents and transports one to a mindset and time when all things are possible. From the straight lines of the architecture, to the innocent almost timid expression of the model, one can almost forget time, space and reality getting lost in the beauty of what could be.

Terry J. Wheaton Headshot — Terry J. Wheaton

Guest blogger Terry J. Wheaton (Desired Results by Terry ) is a Fashion Stylist with a wealth of diverse experience. Her many years in front of the camera as a model have given her a unique perspective on styling. Terry understands what it takes to produce a quality image. Her attention to detail and unparalleled organizational skills make her a leader in the field. Comfortable in all types of settings and working with photographers and models at all skill levels, she brings her creativity and diversity to all that she does.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Hair and Make-up by Lisa Roche, The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal. Photograph by Steve Marsel

Talking Hats – Original Fashion Photography by Boston Photographer Steve Marsel

November 4, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

Before bumper stickers and t-shirts, many of the loudest personal statements did not come from the mouth, but from an artistic formation of fabric, straw or leather strategically worn atop the head. The hat continues to scream style, aspiration, status, and sense of humor. We can hide demurely under a black wide brim and sunglasses, evoking Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, balance a fruit and straw creation on the dance floor announcing,”Step back, I’m Carmen Miranda and I’m fun!”, perch a pillbox elegantly a la Jackie O. We can look unflappable in 20’s-inspired flapper cloches, top notch in top hats, newsworthy in chic newsboy caps.

We can further our self-expression by choosing how to wear our hats. Our fedoras can tilt dangerously, our baseball caps can have a major league curl to the brim, our skull caps can slouch and sulk. One thing comes across loud and clear, however; hats talk. They tell stories. They reveal dreams. They tell lies. Don’t believe a word they say.

—Raquel Vidal

Raquel Vidal

Guest blogger Raquel Vidal is a New York city based fashion stylist and the former accessory editor of Mademoiselle magazine.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Make-up by Jeni Teran , The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal, Photography by Steve Marsel

The Story of Pleats and The Magician of Venice Photography by Boston Photographer Steve Marsel

October 13, 2010 // by Steve Marsel

The Magician of Venice by Raquel Vidal

Although Mariano Fortuny took his silk pleating and dying techniques to his grave with him in 1949, his pleated “Delphos” gown was no secret to the fashionable a century ago.

https://www.stevemarselstudio.com/blog/ — The Com-pleat Magic of Fortuny

Worn by such legends as Isadora Duncan, Sarah Bernhard and Mrs. Conde Nast, and now fetching well over $40,000 at auction, his couture confections were one of a kind masterpieces inspired by his love for ancient Grecian styles and the creation of sumptuous textiles. A true Renaissance man, Fortuny was an exceptional painter, lighting designer, photographer, inventor, textile designer, architect and couturier. Some of his stage lighting innovations are still in use. If he were alive in this day and age, he would easily keep the same nickname, “The Magician of Venice” despite today’s headline-hungry press’ probable attempts to label him as “Wagner Groupie” (he followed composer Richard Wagner obsessively all over Europe) or “Venetian Eccentric” (he favored 16^th century costumes while working in his palazzo, now the Museum Fortuny). One thing is for certain, however: every pleated gown designed today bears homage to the ever lingering magic of the great master.

Raquel Vidal

Guest Blogger Raquel Vidal is a NYC based fashion stylist, and a former fashion editor at Mademoiselle and Kidstyle magazines.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Hair and Make-up by Lisa Roche, The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal. Photograph by Steve Marsel

Fashion Photography

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

C’est la vie..

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

It’s no coincidence that model means mannequin in French.

As they say, Bisous Bisous (French for kisses, kisses)

Guest blogger Elyse Lightner is a twenty something, candidate for a masters in art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. Her internship with Steve, worldly travels and obsession with museums have lead her to pursue a life surrounded by art and all things beautiful.

The Power of White by Terry J. Wheaton

White…is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black…God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white. G. K. Chesterton

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Hair and Make-up by Lisa Roche, The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal. Photograph by Steve Marsel

—Raquel Vidal

Raquel Vidal Guest blogger Raquel Vidal is a New York city based fashion stylist and the former accessory editor of Mademoiselle magazine.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Make-up by Jeni Teran, The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal, Photography by Steve Marsel

The Magician of Venice by Raquel Vidal

Raquel Vidal

Guest Blogger Raquel Vidal is a NYC based fashion stylist, and a former fashion editor at Mademoiselle and Kidstyle magazines.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Hair and Make-up by Lisa Roche, The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal. Photograph by Steve Marsel

Raquel Vidal

Guest blogger Raquel Vidal is a New York city based fashion stylist and the former accessory editor of Mademoiselle magazine.

Special thanks go to the very talented Stylist Terry J. Wheaton, Model Amanda Gordon, Make-up by Jeni Teran , The incredible retouching of Mr. James Eves, and Photo Editor Raquel Vidal, Photography by Steve Marsel