Photoshoot + Interview: 'Valentina' by ReflexStudio
Thomas Lui, the eyes behind the camera at ReflexStudio, produces sleek, stylish – and sexy – portraits from his studio in Milan.
With a portfolio of strong, bold silhouettes and models that ooze confidence and inner spark, Thomas has turned his talents to a stunning on-location shoot, working alongside the lovely model Valentina, his “dream model”.
The warm light over the sweeping hills as Valentina casts graceful shapes through the field of wheat has us captivated – it’s clear that the painstaking process of waiting for just the right lighting has paid off. Her white lace dress, sweeping dark locks and smoky eyes set off a classic romantic look - book us a flight to Italy already!
Q: How did you start making a business in photography?
A: Six years ago, when I met a great Master of Photography, who helped me a lot and taught me everything he knew. All I’m doing now is thanks to him. I owe him so much!
Q: The location for this shoot is stunning - how do you choose the perfect location?
A: Usually, I look for my locations on the internet. But the thing that I like the most is improvising and let the instinct and feelings prevail, I like to be guided by emotions which the nature passes through beauty and magic.
Q: Where do you get the inspiration for your photographs?
A: I take my inspiration from movies, books, and other kind of arts. Everyday, I see a lot of images, I just need to understand what is the setting and atmosphere that I want to create, sometimes I'm happy with the results, but sometimes I need to work more and more to get what I want.
Q: Who would be a dream model for you to work with?
A: Well, my dream model I would say that is the one in this editorial. I think that she should be the one who urges me to create. A person who is beautiful and unusual enough to move all the universe that I have inside. This is the kind of my dream model, and yes... Valentina represents that.
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Follow more of Thomas’s work on his Facebook page and his Instagram @reflexstudio_.Full credits: Photography: Thomas / ReflexStudio | Model: Valentina (@AlevBlack).Cecile Blackmore is a writer from Brisbane, Australia. She writes and edits at The Creative Issue and hoards vintage clothing – follow her adventures on Instagram at @saintcecile.