Olivia May Younger portrait in red dress cocktail bar Guernsey photography

For the launch of Olivia May Younger's new album RED, we aimed to create a striking, high-fashion photo shoot that captured the raw energy of her music and matched the sleek, bold aesthetics of the album. Olivia requested a shoot with a Vogue-inspired vibe, and we took inspiration from iconic fashion photographers like Terry Richardson, Carin Backoff for NET-A-PORTER, and Eniko Szucs's photos of Coco Rocha. Olivia was also drawn to the dynamic, motion-filled slow shutter blur effects used by Ekin Can Bayrakdar in his photos of Emma Barley.

Reference images:

Eniko Szucs photo of Coco Rocha

Ekin Can Bayrakdar photos of Emma Barley

Terry Richardson photo of Saskia De Brauw

Carin Backoff for 'NET-A-PORTER'

Location and Styling

We chose The Old Government House Hotel for the shoot, specifically the Red Room and Cocktail Bar, which provided the perfect backdrop. Its rich, opulent red tones and classic styling matched the energy of the RED album, offering an ideal location for the look we wanted to achieve. The space oozed elegance, providing a luxurious setting that complemented the strong fashion elements we were incorporating.

Thanks to Daria Iwon for styling, who helped bring the vision to life with outfits that balanced sleek modernity and retro glam. The careful selection of pieces enhanced Olivia’s confident and sophisticated presence while staying true to the album’s essence.

Lighting and Technique

When it came to the photography techniques, we used hard to create a dynamic contrast in the shots and to bring out the bold shadows and add a touch of drama giving us that “Vogue paparazi” style look.

We incorporated rear curtain flash sync, which allowed us to capture motion and movement with precision. This technique, combined with on-camera flash, created sharp lighting in the moments of action, further emphasizing the energy Olivia brought to the set. The flashes, especially during slow shutter speeds, gave the images a distinct and energetic feel, blurring the lines between stillness and motion.

Olivia May Younger laughing in red dress with cocktail Guernsey photography — Olivia May Younger cocktail and guitar red Guernsey photography

The Result: Bold, Glamorous, and Timeless

The final images bring together a mix of hard and soft lighting, dynamic motion, and luxurious styling, perfectly capturing the energy and spirit of Olivia's album RED. The bold use of lighting techniques, the styling, and the atmosphere of the location created a photoshoot that not only complements Olivia’s music but also visually embodies the confidence and allure she radiates.