Photographer Gail Hadani: "My Goal is to Showcase a Model’s Inner Beauty"

Photographer Gail Hadani reflects upon her career and where she draws her inspiration. (Photo: Gail Hadani)

Photographer Gail Hadani’s passion for art started early. Though her academic background is in fine arts (she has a degree from NYU), the accomplished painter and opera singer found she could further express her creativity via photography, first in Europe before moving to New York City. It was there where she met makeup artist Paul Innis. Through their collaboration, she focused her work in the areas of beauty and fashion, as opposed to more general portraits. Hadani’s work ranges from beauty to fashion to celebrity and is distinguished by her focus on unique lighting, revealing the textures and colors of makeup with great subtlety. Her advertising, magazine editorial, and portrait work has appeared in international issues of Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, and she’s also been published in Hamptons Magazine, Harper’s + Queen, WWD Beauty Biz, Zink, and Ocean Drive. Hadani’s celebrity portrait work includes the likes of Rosario Dawson, Mena Suvari, Selita Ebanks, and Gretchen Monahan. Here, she dishes in her own words about what inspires her, an incredible shooting experience on a private jet to Vegas, and how makeup can make or break an editorial result.

Inspiration

My mentors were the great painters like John Singer Sargent, Rubens, Manet, Picasso, and Matisse, in the sense of their use of color, light and composition. I was especially inspired to go into photography by “Madame X” by John Singer Sargent, which I saw in a wonderful exhibit in London.

Photography is like theater

My goal is to showcase a model’s inner beauty and confidence and to communicate to the camera that special electricity and energy that comes through her gaze. The best photographs are when the model’s eyes are alive. It’s rewarding when all the elements of the shoot come together and the photograph pops: Not only does the model feel great, but the whole creative team shares in the success of that. The best shoots are like great theater; as the director, I encourage a great performance from the model.

Creativity takes on multiple mediums

Most people don’t know that I was a performer and toured the world with top conductors as an opera singer. I am also a painter and writer. My family is my pride and joy, and if I am not spending quality time with them then I sing and write.

(Photo: Gail Hadani)

The most epic shoot

One of my favorite shoots was an editorial story for a wonderful magazine and I shot on a luxurious private jet in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was so much fun and glamorous! It’s unusual to be able to shoot on a location like this and the time was limited, but the male and female models were loving it and role-played on the tarmac. I felt that the juxtaposition of the clothes against the expanse of the jet and the sky as well as keeping the story going for the interior shots created a narrative like a short film. Essentially, the editor and I storyboarded the different shots and then let it unfold. It inspired me to be prepared but to also be ready to capture the real moments of the shoot.

(Photo: Gail Hadani)

My favorite shot

I love shooting beauty that is creative and full of color with beautiful makeup. Paul Innis and I did an iconic image called Candy Lips, which has different colors and candy on the pout that always makes me smile.  I love the spontaneity and the balance of all the elements of color and shape.

Getting the subject to relax

I love working with people and have a great interest in getting to know the model that I am shooting. Giving positive reinforcement is so important so that the model feels wonderful and gives her best.

(Photo: Gail Hadani)

Photography pet peeve

I am very sensitive to over-retouched skin. I feel it is essential to have real skin shine through the photograph.

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