first date but make it fashion

stylist + Model: Zhu Han

creative directed + Shot by maia feruzi

Thursday November 16th 2023 2:00pm

📍Seaport, MA

shot on: canon eos rebel t3i 18-24mm 70-300mm

concept

Zhu and I first met on the dating app Hinge. She was in town for a couple weeks and we started speaking a few days before she had to leave back to England. The more we spoke the more we had in common, from music, to fashion, to the arts and more. Instead of pursuing a romantic relationship we instead decided to pursue a platonic one and focus on creating something during her short time in Boston. The concept for this shoot is what happens when you decide to make magic not love. Putting carnal desires on the back burner and bringing the artists brain to the forefront. Despite just meeting our conversation flowed organically and we were able to enjoy many laughs throughout the shoot which made for an extremely relaxed atmosphere, fueling our ability to brainstorm interesting shots, give and take direction and achieve some amazing photos.

Zhu has a background in dance both hip hop and contemporary which is easily seen by her body control and fluid movements from shot to shot, that helped to create interesting and unique silhouettes. We used that skillset to the fullest and sought to juxtapose the shape of her pose to the setting. The background is all hard steel and city but her movements are soft and graceful. Using my 70-300mm lens I was able to position myself very far from the model and still capture distance as well as clarity of features that added another layer to the story. The images conjure emotions of adventure, longing, and a individualist confidence that glows outward from within.