As a photographer, capturing the essence of a person through their portrait is always a rewarding experience. Recently, I had the opportunity to shoot the portrait of Masha Maskova, a famous Russian actress based in Los Angeles, and it was an experience I won't forget anytime soon.

During the shoot, I utilized two different styles to capture Masha's portrait. First, I used my chiaroscuro style, which involves using dramatic lighting to create high contrast images with deep shadows and bright highlights. This style is known for creating a moody and dramatic effect, and it worked really well for Masha's portrait.

After capturing a few shots using the chiaroscuro style, we moved on to my new portfolio style that involves incorporating an item special to each portrait sitter. In the case of Masha, it was her antique bicycle, and it was the star of the show. Masha's love for vintage bikes was clear as she posed with her bike, and I could tell that she was really enjoying the shoot. We tried a variety of poses, and each shot captured a different aspect of Masha's personality.

The shoot was done in my studio, and we utilized top-of-the-line equipment to capture the portrait. We used Profoto A2 lighting with Profoto Click Octa Softboxes to achieve consistent, high-quality light. The backdrop we chose was a Manfrotto Olive & Tobacco option, which provided a warm, earthy tone to the image and worked well with the vintage feel of the bicycle we incorporated.

The final portrait was a beautiful representation of Masha's interests and personality. The combination of the chiaroscuro and new portfolio styles, vintage bike, warm backdrop, and expert lighting created a timeless and classic feel that I was really proud of. It's amazing how much a simple object can add to a portrait and help tell a person's story.

Overall, this shoot was a great success, and I'm excited to continue exploring both my chiaroscuro and new portfolio styles. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with Masha and capture her portrait in a unique and meaningful way.