OPHELIA REBORN: Concept and Behind-the-Scenes

Hey friends!

Now you've seen the outcome of our Ophelia Reborn photoshoot, the first of the (magazine) Submission of the Month series, it's time to take a step back and show you the conceptualizing and 'making of' process. 

The Story.

Ophelia is the tragic character from Shakespeare's Hamlet who drowns herself in a stream after realizing that Hamlet, whom she's in love with, doesn't feel the same. In our version of events, she then is reborn/reincarnated at Yemaya, the Yoruba goddess of the ocean.

I first found out about Yemaya (who also exists in some South American mythology) in my research for this shoot titled WOMAN which Hannah Minkley shot me in last year. Myths, legends and history in general have always been an interest of mine and anyone who knows me (virtually or in real life ;)) may have noticed that in recent years it's become more and more important to me to stay aware of what has and does go on in the rest of the continent. So I heard about this badass Yoruba goddess and I had to know more. (Yoruba is a large Nigerian tribe/community).

So combine all this and a call for submissions by Giuseppina Magazine with the theme of Ophelia, I called some friends to try and bring this idea to life.

THE PLANNING.

I got the team together and we started to brainstorm on locations, scene ideas, wardrobe, hair, make-up, colour schemes, you name it.

The brainstorming and styling sesh the day before the shoot. Meeting your team before-hand to just chat about your plans and ideas is invaluable for any shoot or project, especially if not everyone knows each other in the group.

The brainstorming and styling sesh the day before the shoot. Meeting your team before-hand to just chat about your plans and ideas is invaluable for any shoot or project, especially if not everyone knows each other in the group.

Click here for the Pinterest mood-board where that all started, in case you missed it ;)

 

THE SHOOT.

This is what went down on the day:

Look 1: Ophelia waking up. Pot Pourri, food colouring and lukewarm bath water were the stars of the scene ;)

Look 1: Ophelia waking up. Pot Pourri, food colouring and lukewarm bath water were the stars of the scene ;)

Look 2: Make-up for the early stages of Yemaya's rising

Look 2: Make-up for the early stages of Yemaya's rising

Look 3: Goddess of the ocean means pearls and shells all day! And I kept on my bantu-knot hairdo from the night before to stay in the African theme of things. Comment if you want to know how I do them ;)

Look 3: Goddess of the ocean means pearls and shells all day! And I kept on my bantu-knot hairdo from the night before to stay in the African theme of things. Comment if you want to know how I do them ;)

Awuor on camera and Deb working the make-shift reflector :P

Awuor on camera and Deb working the make-shift reflector :P

I mean, I did tell you this was a LOW BUDGET operation ;P

 

THE TEAM

Photographer: Awuor Onyango (http://polyglotoftheopenskymonochrome.tumblr.com/)

Make-Up Artist: Elizabeth Oduor (http://beautifullyazil.com/)

Stylist: Nadia Macharia (http://nadia-and-macharia.tumblr.com/)

Shoot Assistant: Debra Olum (http://mieleikoth.wordpress.com/)

 

If you haven't seen the finished product yet, click here to go there. Until next time!

Stay Golden ;)

J.

xx

Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - Bloglovin'