CREATING A NEW LOOK WITH AUSTIN HOLMES

Lex met Austin, an aspiring model and actor who had recently moved from North Carolina to New York City. Austin reached out because he wanted fresh photos to apply to various modeling agencies in the city. After reviewing his existing portfolio, which was mostly made up of headshots, Lex noticed the images were strong but lacked the statement-making quality needed to stand out in a competitive environment like New York. To round out his portfolio, Lex suggested an editorial-style set shot at their home studio.

The goal was to make Austin’s look feel “expensive.” Lex worked with him to select outfits that added sophistication and elegance to the shots. They styled his hair and used dramatic lighting and shadows to accentuate his features and create more dynamic poses. The session was tied together with a contrasty black-and-white treatment that gave the photos a touch of nostalgia and mystery.