It is said that God is in the details. Or is it the Devil is in the details? I suppose it depends on your perspective but, either way, details are important. Details tell the nuance of the story, they are the adjectives in a photo. Most photographers are detail oriented in how they see, but to really craft those details often requires help. When I need that help, and I almost always do, I turn to my Prop Mistress, Tanya Seeman. With a long career in both Television and Film, Tanya can source just about anything, which is good because I have some pretty odd requests (and if you have any doubts about that, just take a look at my recent Tundra shot).
For our “Hello, Johnny” shoot getting the right vanity was just the first step. Making it look “lived in” meant propping it. Ashtrays, phones, perfume bottles, vases, makeup containers, hair brushes – hundreds of these items had to be researched and evaluated, and the final selections rented and schlepped. My greatest thanks go out to Tanya, for taking a sterile set and transforming it into a thing of beauty.
Details aren’t only important when propping the set, they’re important when it comes to casting, wardrobe, makeup & hair. Our models for this shoot, Germaine DeNigris and Stephen R. Markman, were both amazing. The moment I saw Germaine, I knew she was the right girl for the shoot and was overjoyed when she agreed to participate. Norman Bryn was able to draw on his experience, not only on film sets, but on the many Soap Operas he worked on to really turn the very sweet Germaine into a young ingenue of the 30s. Once again, a great time was had by all!