Last Updated on 11/08/2017 by Chris Gampat
All images by Elizaveta Porodina. Used with Creative Commons permission.
When it comes to portrait photography, I find myself gravitating towards themes and styles that go beyond straightforward portraiture. Nothing against the usual posed model shots, but portrait projects that tell a story, reinvent a style, or emulate a concept are simply inspirational in my book. One such example that I’ve tucked into my list of favorite portrait works is the retro-inspired “Who’s That Girl?” by Elizaveta Porodina.
A quick look at Munich-based Elizaveta’s portfolio sites reveal a myriad of styles in her portrait works. However, one of the things I noticed was an evident penchant for retro-inspired aesthetics. Her color treatment is a dead giveaway, and the outfits and styling complete the whole nostalgic mood. “Who’s That Girl?” is one of the best examples of this, from the vibrant vintage color scheme to the edgy statement pieces. Even the high-key black and white photos have a bit of Hollywood glamour shot feel to them.
Whether or not it was intentional, I also find this set to be evocative of vintage fashion editorials and magazine covers. “Who’s that girl?” Elizaveta playfully asks in reference to her muse. I think she could very well pass as one of the famous models and “It Girls” of the 1960s, like Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy, Pattie Boyd, and Jean Shrimpton.
I also like that Elizaveta made use of a somewhat experimental approach to this portrait set. It’s not just the oversized hat and floral headgear, though. I’m talking about what looks like a plastic curtain with ripples that she used in many of the shots in the set. With the model behind this curtain, we see a trippy, drippy effect that transforms the otherwise regular style snaps into unique fashion portraits.
Elizaveta Porodina has several other sets that are done in the same beautifully retro style, so definitely check out her Behance portfolio and website to see more of her work.