Minneapolis editorial fashion photography / 16 photos

Saige at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis

Moving through the Guthrie Theater with Saige, and letting the building decide what the photographs would be.

Model: Saige / Shot on Fujifilm X-T4

Go with the flow

Saige and I made these photographs while moving through the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. We let the building set the pace. When a space did something interesting with the light, we stopped and worked with it. When it stopped giving us anything, we kept walking. All sixteen of these frames came from just under an hour.

I think that matters more than it gets credit for. You can make great work in a place you know by heart or in one you've never set foot in. Knowing a space helps, but paying attention to it is what makes the picture.

Saige in a leopard fur coat, pink corset and red patterned tights between dark window frames at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis — Between the BarsFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/250 s / ISO 800

Saige laughing on a sunlit staircase, arms raised, red tights stretched toward the camera — Stairwell LaughterFujifilm X-T4 / Fringer/NF 8-16/4.5-5.6 / 16mm / f/11 / 1/160 s / ISO 640

Use what's there

An escalator is narrow, it keeps moving, and it was built to get people somewhere else. It also pulls every line in the frame toward whoever is standing on it. A strip of red carpet and a pane of colored glass work the same way. Stop asking a place to be something else and its strange parts start showing up on their own.

Saige at the top of a Guthrie Theater escalator, holding a leopard coat open with both arms — Opening NightFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/40 s / ISO 4000

High-contrast black and white silhouette of Saige on an escalator, one leg raised — The DescentFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/40 s / ISO 4000

Silhouette of Saige on an escalator against glowing teal light — Under Teal LightFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/40 s / ISO 3200

Saige seated in hard window light, hair caught mid-toss, in a pink corset and red tights — Window BurnFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/2200 s / ISO 640

Saige on a red carpet in a dark Guthrie Theater corridor, one hand against a window that holds a reflection — The Second SelfFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/8000 s / ISO 640

Saige reclining on a red carpet beside a teal window, arms overhead — Red Carpet, Teal GlassFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/7000 s / ISO 640

Saige leaning sideways over a railing in leopard fur, one hand reaching toward the camera — The LeanFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/80 s / ISO 640

Saige grinning and reaching toward the camera in a teal and amber lobby — The GrinFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/50 s / ISO 640

Let the place answer

Then the view opens up and the city joins in: the Stone Arch Bridge, the Minneapolis skyline, the daylight coming through the glass. No floor plan would have told us what those windows were going to do. Saige read each change and chose how to answer it, loud in one frame and completely still in the next.

Saige in a wide stance, hands clasped overhead, against a blue view of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis — Over the Stone ArchFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/250 s / ISO 640

Saige leaning along a bright windowsill in leopard fur, reaching toward the light — Toward the LightFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/1000 s / ISO 640

Close portrait of Saige lying sideways on leopard fur, face reflected in the glass below — Mirror SleepFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/420 s / ISO 640

Black and white portrait of Saige in a leopard coat, looking up with one hand at the mouth — IntermissionFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/105 s / ISO 640

Start by walking in

If you're looking at this and wondering where to begin, begin there. You don't need the perfect location or a finished plan. Bring someone you trust, keep your eyes open and leave room for the place to surprise you.

If you're a model or artist in Minnesota, Iowa or South Dakota, the model call is open, or you can get in touch about an idea of your own.

Saige in leopard fur and a pink corset leaning against a saturated yellow wall at the Guthrie Theater — The Yellow WallFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/3800 s / ISO 640

Saige seated in yellow window light in leopard fur, a hazy Minneapolis skyline behind — Yellow SkylineFujifilm X-T4 / Viltrox AF 27/1.2 XF / 27mm / f/1.2 / 1/3800 s / ISO 640

Palette

Five colors pulled from these photos. Click one to copy it, then go make something.

Location

Guthrie Theater

818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415

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Next editorialNicollete and Vincent at Lake Francis →

Collaborate in Minnesota, Iowa or South Dakota

I make alt, editorial and fashion photographs with people in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and across Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. Models, makeup artists, stylists, designers and other creatives are welcome to reach out.

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