Behind the Scenes Story

Madame De La Mer

The La Mer editorial shoot occurs at a uniquely remote island location with no cars, which is only reachable by a Ferry that runs only a few times each day. Getting the crew, talent, equipment, and location proved to be a feat of production. The day of the shoot, we met the talent as they were disembarking the ferry with giant golf umbrellas because it was raining so hard it was only possible to see a few feet ahead in any direction. The rain was so heavy everyone thought it would be impossible to shoot outdoors.

The day started late, and despite the weather, the model went into hair and makeup. We had already secured an alternate indoor location for the shoot when the clouds parted into a clear blue sky just as hair and makeup were finished on the model but leaving us only a few hours of daylight to complete the entire shoot.

The La Mer Shoot remains one of my all-time favorite productions since we were all stranded on the island after we all voted to stay through the night and miss the last ferry off the island. It was one of the only productions where the entire cast and crew already knew each other and decided to spend the night and celebrate an incredible shoot. The wrap party was one of the most memorable nights of any production.

The purpose of the La Mer shoot was to create a series of images designed to elevate the model Louis Donegan with elegance celebrating the romance and strength of the female figure with images that were tastefully topless to show broad sensual appeal to the European market. These kinds of images have to be very carefully executed so that they do not appear overtly sexual or lude but instead elevate the model with a romantic feminine sensual appeal that naturally celebrates the female figure. Something that has to be done with very careful skill and talent so that the appeal of the model is elevated.

Specifically, the model was being submitted for a L'Oreal casting in Paris. Casting agents in Europe and especially L'Oreal Paris tend to select models with at least one story showing off the model's sensual, romantic appeal through tasteful topless images integral to the photographic story. The plan was successful, and Louis Donnegan was cast as a L'Oreal Hair model for a globally run campaign.