This photoshoot was a long time in the making. I wanted to do something that was a bit uncanny valley, mixed with my love of the Renaissance (shout out to any Art History majors). Influenced by the bright, bold weirdness that is Charlie Chops and probably my favourite ever Kiwi artist Yvonne Todd.
Collaborating with Sunglass Hut on this concept, I was able to create a mob wife aesthetic with beautiful, expensive sunglasses while the models are frozen in time, looking off into the distance with dead eyes. The tears and frozen expressions are a homage to the Crying Madonna motif, that’s present in so many of my favourite renaissance paintings.
This was also the first time I was able to really experiment with AI. These were all shot on a cloudy day in front of a white wall. Special thanks to Jono Creative for shooting these, putting up with my edits and helping me photoshop these into what they are today!
Models: Robecca Leyden and Natalie Kliewer
Photography: Jono Ong
Editing: Robecca Leyden & Jono Ong
Art Direction: Robecca Leyden
Sunglasses: Sunglass Hut
Sunglasses in order of appearance: Gucci GG1188S, Burberry Margot, Oakley Sutro Lite, Prada Sheilds. Gucci Oversized 733367
Pictured:left: Immaculate Conception by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ,right: Our Lady Weeping statue.
Pictured: left: Madonna and Child ca. 1300, Duccio , right: Mater Dolorosa (Sorrowing Virgin).
Pictured: paradise sky background with large clouds.
