Sofia and I got together for a shoot in San Francisco, California. We photographed at SF City Hall, and then various parts of Golden Gate Park. (We also got extremely lucky and happened across some cherry blossom trees right as they were in bloom)
We had a blast creating and really lucked out this entire shoot with the lighting and environments.
You can follow Sofia on social media here.
Till next time,
-Oliver
Zahna Simon is a deaf dancer located in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the company and festival assistant director at the Urban Jazz Dance Company and is extremely talented.
We used a variety of locations in SF, including the Sutro Bath Ruins, Ocean Beach, the Hidden Staircase, and Sutro Heights Park.
You can follow Zahna on Instagram here @DeafEnPointe
-Oliver Endahl
Briana Baldovinos and I met up in Orange County, California.
We started the shoot indoors at a photo studio, and then headed to the coast to shoot at Victoria Beach.
This shoot was massive. We spent 2 hours in the studio and then at least an hour and a half on the beach. We got a ton of epic photos, and I had a blast chatting with Briana during the shoot! On top of dance, she’s also crushing it in academia. Below is a short interview with her.
Give us an introduction
Hello Everyone, my name is Briana Baldovinos and I am a 22 year old freelance dancer! I currently work at Disneyland as a parade performer in “Magic Happens”. I just recently graduated from UC Riverside with my Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience.
What’s your favorite food?
My favorite food is SUSHI!!! I love sushi and can never get tired of it.
What music are you listening to this summer?
My music genre varies on how I’m feeling, but this summer I have really been into house music!
What do you enjoy about modeling?
I enjoy the aspect of letting my confidence shine when modeling. I feel like I can really let the true art form of dance come to life when modeling and allow those who view it see the beauty of dance as well.
What’s something people might not know about you?
Some people may not know that I am premed! I would love to pursue a career in the medical filed and enjoy helping others!
What’s a piece of art (movie, painting, play, ballet, broadway, television show, book, song, poem, etc..) That moved you the most this year so far?
A book that’s moved me is “They both die in the end”, it’s about 2 boys who get news that they will die by the end of the day and don’t know how. They each are looking for a friend to spend their day with and it just puts into perspective that life is short and to make everyday a great day filled with love.
Would you rather Kayak 50 miles or Skateboard 50 miles?
I would rather skateboard 50 miles, my leg strength is much greater than my upper body strength.
What’s your plan for 2025?
In 2025 I would like to continue to grow in my dance and modeling career and gain more opportunities. I would also like to continue in my medical career and pursue my dreams.
You can follow Briana on Instagram here and you can check out our previous shoot featured in the Zine here
Till next time,
-Oliver
Sydney Tyra and I got together for a shoot at a studio in the downtown Los Angeles area.
Below are my favorite shots from the shoot + a mini interview with her.
Favorite Quote?
I love the quote from Little Women: “Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”
Favorite pizza toppings???
Artichoke and cheese!
What’s your favorite movie you’ve seen this year? (It can be old or new, as long as it was new to you)
I’d have to say Challengers! Amazing actors/score/cinematography all around.
What’s your unwinding routine?
My unwinding routine includes a solo walk by the ocean with some relaxing music, a long shower, and a Disney movie in my bed with a nice candle lit. (My all time fav is probably the Lion King)
What’s your favorite part about modeling?
My favorite part of modeling is when I get into the “flow” and everything else sort of melts away. I’m able to fully be in the moment and allow myself to express whatever comes to me. It’s almost similar to the feeling I get when I dance/improv!
If you could travel anywhere, what’s at the top of your list?
The top of my list is either Mykonos or Sweden to see the Northern Lights!
You can follow Sydney on Instagram here @Sydney.Tyra and keep an eye on the Zine for more shoots with her in the future.
Till next time,
-Oliver
Briana Baldovinos
Colorful studio photoshoot in Los Angeles
This was the first photoshoot Briana and I did together. I had seen this colorful photostudio available for rent in LA and thought it would be a great location for us to utilize.
I loved the vibrant colors of this space. I think bright colors are underutilized in art and pop culture. Probably because colors are the “standard” of photos, so people equate less color (black and white) to be more “meaningful” in their expression. (But both black and white and color, are equally valid in their artistic expression.)
Briana brought a great charisma and achieved excellent ballet lines that played well with the lines of the furnishings.
For the lighting, there was one large window located on one end of the studio that we used as our main source. It was an overcast day, so the light came in soft and diffused.
I’ve been photographing for around 14 years so I can shoot quickly when I need to. Briana had done many photoshoots before and is a pro, so we were able to create all these images + more in just a 2 hour time period.
You can follow Briana on IG at @Briana.Ballerina and you can keep up with my work right here on the Zine.
-Oliver Endahl
