Header photo: Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

SapphireStudio is a part-time studio based in Zuid-Holland, Netherlands, with more than 3 years of experience.  

After recently sharing their photoshoot (featuring model Kate Ri) with the PurplePort community, Zoi (the owner of SapphireStudio) generously gave us her time for a quick interview to go into more detail about the shoot.

Check out the fabulous images created during the photoshoot, and find out what inspired Zoi for the shoot, how she planned it, the camera gear she used, and more.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

SHARE A SHOOT with SapphireStudio on PurplePort

How did you come up with the concept? Did anything inspire you?

Honestly, the concept came from the fact that my father-in-law, who used to paint, was clearing out a room in his house and asked me if I'd like his easel for a shoot.

I immediately loved the idea of a Painter's Muse-themed shoot and thought of Kate Ri for it.

I knew Kate was planning to come to the Netherlands, and her bright coloured orange hair and the fact that she is a real-life artist made her perfect for the concept. 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

What did you do to plan the shoot?

Well, I didn't need to do very much at all. I collected the easel and some other borrowed painting supplies like some old battered-looking cups full of paint brushes and a colour mixing pallet. I wanted it to be as authentic looking as possible. 

Image taken at SapphireStudio 

I purchased a couple of wooden crates from Ikea for props and a pair of denim dungarees from Vinted.

Later on, I also purchased a few bunches of sunflowers, which were in season at the time of the shoot. I usually include fresh flowers in my shoots. Since I live in the Netherlands, I thought sunflowers were a fitting colour to have in a Painter's Muse-themed photoshoot. 

In total, I think I spent 50e on props.

Image taken at SapphireStudio 

I normally go for muted colour tones, but for this shoot, it took the direction of bright and primary colours: blue, yellow, green and orange.

I knew that I wasn't interested in the usual straight-on type of perspectives and static posing for this shoot, so I went online and looked for some interesting ideas and created a small mood board focusing on pose and perspective ideas.

This was very handy to show Kate during the shoot and meant we could nail the desired shot within a minute or two of showing her the idea. This is where working with a pro-model (such as Kate) can really help.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

How did you arrange the shoot?

First of all, I contacted Kate and set a date.

She was to visit the studio for a normal studio day. Then, for the day after the studio day, I put a casting up here on PurplePort looking for two other photographers to join the shoot to cover Kate's model fee for the Painter's Muse shoot. Luckily, two people were interested.

It was a 2.5-hour booking for Kate, which I thought was more than long enough.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

What was it like shooting at that location?

I shot at my home studio space in Den Haag, so it was very easy for me.

I had enough time to create the set and planned the shoot just before sunset when golden light comes through the studio window.

Luckily, it was a clear day, and the plan worked.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Tell us about the gear you used.

I have very basic gear. I used my Fuji XT3 with a Viltrox 56 1.4 (cropped sensor) lens, which is my favourite lens. It does very well in backlight, and because of the sunset light coming through the window, this was necessary.

I know by using such a long lens in an indoor space, I'm giving myself extra work, but I just love working with a longer lens wide open.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

We shot on a bit after the sunset and then added some constant light, an Aputure 300D11 together with a light dome, which gives a lovely soft light on the face.

One of the other two photographers who joined us brought along some coloured LED rods, and we played with those a bit, too.

I loved the collaboration between myself and the two other photographers who joined, too. I definitely think working alongside other photographers and bouncing ideas back and forth can help create better images.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

My favourite images are the portraits but also, strangely, the details from the set, which I feel add an interesting overall vibe when you view the images as a complete set.

I try to imagine the images as a magazine editorial when I shoot, so I think about things like details and setting the scene.

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Image with model Kate Ri taken at SapphireStudio 

Thank you, Zoi from SapphireStudio, for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with model Kate Ri!

We hope you all loved it, too. Don't forget to check out the links below to see more of SapphireStudio's work!

Here's where you can find more of SapphireStudio's work

PurplePort: SapphireStudio

Instagram: dreamingofmodels

Website: www.dreamingofmodels.com 

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