The imperative first step is to connect with people, feel their energy. The look depends on the project, but what remains constant is that I bring out the best in the subject. My approach is to first ask the client: “What is your best feature?” I endeavor to augment that which brings out their inner light and makes them shine from within. I’m a believer in natural beauty — that clients should look like themselves, not someone else. This is a place where they are comfortable, and this is only accomplished by bringing out the best in them.
It sounds like a process, but really, I’m pretty quick. Given the tight timelines of a professional shoot, and groups of people that I’m working with, I have to be able to sort it all out and get each person looking picture perfect in short order.
Working with Regina Rubino is always memorable and enlightening. She ’s a true professional. A confident but humble visual person who sees outside the eye, and understands flow. She’s hands on, from treatment to finished product.
Mutual respect and like-mindedness are requisite in order to welcome and absorb fresh and new perspectives while manifesting someone else’s vision. This holds true for the producer, stylist, photographer, art director, and the collective collaborative creative team. So carefully selecting, organizing, informing and orchestrating the team is critical and a rare talent. It’s incredibly peaceful on the studio’s shoots… especially for a troupe of such highly charged and creative minds. This is because Regina assembles teams which work together as if they’re all one person with many hands and eyes. Everyone both deserves and receives a high level of respect. Inevitably, when Regina brings the crew together, something blissful emerges… Yes, that’s the word: “BLISS”.
~ Julie Evonne Washington
~ Photos by Gina Sabatella
