RAW BAPZ PHOTOSHOOT PHOTOS

RAW PICTURES FROM A BAPZ PHOTOSHOOT I HAD OVER THE PASS MONTH

LYNELL ALDAFARIA  FASHION STYLIST /BAPZ COLLECTION

JCOV ON THE CAMERA
DEVON AS MUA / HARISTLIST

DEANNA RENEE WAS ON SET TAKIN INTERVIEWS

MODELS JO-MARIE AND SASHA

The sunlight barely peaked over the collection of townhouses as the crew unpacked their electrical light sources from the back of the SUV. They had spent a major portion of the day running around downtown Fayetteville getting shots for the month’s issue, and as they unloaded the equipment there on Ray street, their expedition was coming to a close.

Photographer John “J. Cov” Covington placed the lamps in front of a vacant stoop as fashion stylist Lynell Aldafari added a few final touches to the models. All day the crew had been chasing the sun, but being that father time waits for no one, the crew would have to make due with what they could before dark. “I hope whoever doesn’t mind us stealing their power,” laughs model Shirel “Sasha Fierce” Lankford as she watched Lynell plug the extension cord into an outdoor outlet.

“Me too,” Lynell responded, “We better make this quick before someone complains.”

J. Cov asked Johanna Johnson, one of the models, to take her place. She eased up the steps trying to position herself in the light. Finally content with where she was, she began posing, ready for the snapshot when Lynell brought to her attention that her outfit was slightly malfunctioning. “Fix your shirt,” she called out, “The chain isn’t supposed to be hanging that low. Also, I can see your thong.”

J. Cov readily snapped a few flashes before noting that he was going to need a different lamp. The sun had been pushing him for time all day, and while he had some pretty good shots, the coming darkness was sure to be an issue, especially being that Johanna’s outfit consisted of dark colors. By that time, he noticed that something else was missing. “Where is Devon?” he asked.

Everyone looked around with expressions of confusion and nonchalant shrugs. Where had the infamous hair stylist known gone? “Well, he mentioned he was hungry,” said Lynell, “He probably walked around the corner to get something to eat.”

As if he could hear his name from a distance, Dev’on Buie strolled around the corner with two to-go boxes filled with French fries smothered in cheese and bacon. Johanna and Sasha’s eyes widened at the sight, and they both reached into the styrofoam container to indulge in their guilty pleasure of greasy fried food. While aware that it wasn’t the best idea to feast on such delicacies while trying to capture the two of them in bathing suits, it had been a long day, and counting calories was the furthest thing from their minds. Johanna ultimately ate her lipgloss off, and was having a hard time locating more.

After enjoying their greedy moment, Johanna was ready to finish up her segment. Grabbing his handy-dandy small tooth comb in one hand, while still holding a plate of food in another,  Devon jumped on the set to try and tame a few strings of Johanna’s hair that got caught in the wind. “Really?” Lynell asked, eyes not deterring once from his plate. “So you’re just gonna get hair all in the fries?”

They all let loose a healthy laugh as Devon sat the plate down. “That’s the only thing she’s worried about!” said Sasha.

Cars rolled by as the camera flashed Johanna’s subtle moves, her face focused with every shot. J. Cov could be heard behind the lens giving directions where she needed her turn her head; Lynell giving minor suggestions. “You’ve got to really overemphasize everything,” said Lynell as she mimicked Johanna’s current position. “When you stick your leg out, you’ve got to stick it out.”

“Sasha, you’re up,” said J. Cov as he prepared his next roll of film.

For a few seconds, Sasha moved about in the light finding her place. It wasn’t long until J. Cov began flashing. Her lean body moved gracefully with a subtle sensuality in her facial expressions. Lynell stood on the sideline playing creative director beside J. Cov. “Turn your foot in some,” he directed.

Lynell popped up on the set to assist, but either way it wasn’t working. “It’s hard to do that in these heels,” said Sasha looking down at the monstrously high shoes she mentioned were a bit loose on her earlier. “It’s cool, though. We’ll just change the pose. I can’t be breaking my ankles, now!”

The night grew comfortable over the city, making Sasha’s time to shine even more difficult. She constantly had to turn and twist her body to get particular shots in the light, leaning forwards, backwards and to the side. “I want a picture of the chains hanging from her vest,” said Lynell.

“Yeah, that would be a good shot,” Sasha added.

“And I kind of want a picture of the back,” Lynell continued.

Lynell walked over to position Sasha’s body in a way that would get the shot they were looking for, but it took a couple of flashes and repositioning to get exactly what was wanted. After fighting with angles and lighting, the shoot was complete.

Still in their bathing suits, the models sat down on the stoop with fellow photographer Superman who had pulled out his laptop to show pictures of the bike show that took place a few days before. Soon, the equipment was put away, and everyone came together to discuss their next move. Lynell and her models spoke of stepping out for the night, but was having a hard time deciding whether to pay a $10 entrance fee just to hang out for no more than an hour or so. J. Cov was packed up and ready to return to Raleigh while Dev’on mentioned that he had to get back to work. “You have to go to work?” Sasha asked while looking at her phone for the time.

“Yeah, I’ve got to head back,” Devon said with a smile.

“Who the hell is trying to get their mop done at almost nine o’clock at night?” Sasha said in disbelief.

“No, seriously,” Lynell pepped in, “This dude has stayed at the shop until after midnight some nights. He needs to get to work. We need him to make that money.”

Laughter rang out as the streetlights illuminated the pavement. Everyone loaded up their personal belongings; it was time to say goodbye for the night. Hugs were passed out, as well as reminders of dates and times for the next shoot. “We’ll do this a little earlier next time,” Lynell called out, and as cars were cranked and headlights were beamed, the crew drifted away.