Swim Week 2015 Miami Beach

Every July Miami Beach is the backdrop to Swim Week which is one of the biggest fashion events in the world. This event features the latest styles and trends of swimwear by the top designers.

Tents, stages, and runways, are constructed on the beach. Thousands flock to this tropical paradise we call Miami Beach. The shows were featured at W South Beach, , The Edition, The Modrian, and the brand new 1 Hotel.

I’ve been covering Swim Week for the past 6 years and you never know who is going to show up. Over the years I’ve photographed such people as, Leann Rhymes, Dennis Rodman, and Scott Disick just to name a few.

My gig starts 2 hours before the show. The backstage area is crowded with hairstylist’s, make up artist’s, racks of swim wear and accessories, models, designers, and their entourage

I am hired by the designer. Aside from me there are half a dozen other photographers and videographers from different publications all over the world.

The models are put into make up with great details on their eyes, lips and nails. Next, onto the hair station, where their tresses are straightened, curled, braided, or teased.

When I’m assigned to shoot backstage I shoot all of this. I tell a story and show what’s going on behind the scenes, step by step. My photos show, how a regular looking woman, is transformed into an elegant model.

When make up and hair is complete, the models go through a fitting trying on the assigned “looks” and getting final notes from the designer on how and when to walk.

After all the models are in their “looks”, it’s back to work. I’m running around the room trying to take as many different photos as I can of the models in their outfits before the stage manger calls for show time.

When the show begins I run around the runway trying to get different perspectives of the atmosphere of the show, as well as shooting the notables and good looking people in the front row. The show runs about 15-20 minutes and it always ends with the designer walking with the first model and waving to the cheering crowd.

Notables I shot this year were Brody Jenner and his girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter as well Jena Sims.

After the show I rush home, edit the pictures, and put them online. Over the next few days I saw that my photo’s were picked up by US Weekly , Daily Mail, and Yahoo news.