LEICA Barnack Berek Blog: TIFFANY – A VERY SPECIAL MODEL

Monday, February 5, 2018

TIFFANY – A VERY SPECIAL MODEL

During my career as a photographer I worked with many models on portfolio development and promotion. The results have been quite a variety of memorable shoots with outstanding photographs. One such shoot, however, does stand out from all the others.

I had been in contact with Tiffany, discussing a shoot, determining the best approach to assure that she would receive the photographs she was looking for. It was then that she explained one major difference. Because of an accident she was bound to a wheelchair.

Of course it would have been easy to photograph her just in the wheelchair. But that was too simple and too restrictive. She explained that she would bring along a very good friend of hers who accompanied her quite often, to offer some mobility beyond just sitting in the chair.

Needless to say, I was at a bit of a loss. I had never done a shoot like this and was initially worried about its success. Then I decided to put her handicap out of my mind and focus on the shoot itself, on the photographs we both hoped would be great.

On the day of the shoot we quickly got to doing just that. We worked with a variety of poses and lighting, and soon the shoot was not much different from the many others I had done in the past except that the variety of poses were somewhat restricted due to her not being mobile.

Tiffany’s goal was to show that a handicap like hers was in no way a hindrance to a successful modeling career. She was hoping to be a role model to other handicapped individuals. I think she succeeded.