NBC’s “The Playboy Club” has a stellar cast, including upcoming rolling out cover girl Naturi Naughton.
Rolling out got the scoop on the details of the shoot from her photographer, Victor Powell.
Nationally known photographer John Tweedle took Victor Powell under his wing and taught the photographer everything he needed to know to do well in the business.
At the age of 21, Powell had his own studio, where he perfected his craft of capturing the essence of his subjects on film.
Powell has captured the beautiful Naturi Naughton, a star in NBC’s “The Playboy Club,” for an upcoming rolling out cover. After the shoot, Powell spoke to rolling out about his technique and the difference between taking a photo and capturing energy.
How long have you been in the photography business?
Thirty-five years and counting. I was taking pictures when I was a little kid, not realizing it was something to do. I still have some of those old negatives that I took with my little brownie camera.
What are you thinking about as you’re shooting your subject?
First thing is getting a sense of the subject; I really don’t know what I’m going to do until I actually feel his/her essence. My gift is the ability to get a sense of the person beyond the shell.
One of your most famous subjects is President Barack Obama. What was that first shoot like with him, back in 2003?
He was personable, easy to work with and had that energy. I also worked on the early part of the campaign before he ran for president, when he was doing some area things at the state level. One of the things that impressed me was that, with all the interactions, this man was not a local [politician] this man was presidential. I knew at some point he’d run for president, but I didn’t know it was going to be this quick.
You photographed our cover girl, Naturi Naughton, how were you able to capture her essence on film?
Naturi’s personality was pretty easygoing and there was no sense of that “I’m a star” kind of attitude, which was very impressive to me. She was like regular folks, and that created a sense of comfort.
How do you set up the shots?
With Naturi, she was very amiable to suggestions and ideas. One of the things that I impressed upon her initially which is the most important thing for me, is that I got the sense of her.
No matter how we styled it, the base of the shot had to be her, and what she brings to the character. It’s not about the look, it’s about the sense of self that she’s in that makes that look come alive.
What is your philosophy about your craft?
The main philosophy for the way that I do photographs is that anybody can get what you look like, I capture what you feel like and the difference is you get a sense of the feeling of that person.
If you look at pictures of yourself, shot when you’re having a good time, you’ll still have a sense of that feeling … it’s translated through the photograph.
Photography is an energy exchange medium. To learn more about Victor Powell, visit his website, www.powellphotography.com.
NBC’s “The Playboy Club” debuts on Sept. 19.
