Behind the Lens: Capturing Raymond Ablack for Photobook Magazine
I’m thrilled to share a special project that recently came to life—a cover and fashion editorial shoot for Photobook Magazine featuring the incredibly talented Raymond Ablack. Shot on the rooftop of my East Williamsburg studio and styled by none other than Photobook’s founder and editor-in-chief Alison Hernon, this shoot was a creative deep dive into storytelling, texture, and tone.
Raymond, best known for his roles in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, Maid, and Narcos, brought charisma and grounded presence to the session. The vision for this editorial was to blend the raw character of Brooklyn with refined fashion sensibilities, and Raymond was the perfect subject to bridge those worlds. What resulted is a striking visual narrative—equal parts cinematic and editorial—that I’m proud to share.
The shoot was photographed entirely in black and white, a creative decision that underscored the editorial’s cinematic mood and emphasized texture, tone, and emotion over color. The absence of color allowed the styling, expressions, and architectural backdrop to take center stage, resulting in a timeless, dramatic narrative.
The Genesis of the Shoot: Concept Meets Location
Every shoot begins with intention, and for this one, it was all about contrast. Photobook Magazine approached me to photograph Raymond for both the cover and a full editorial spread, and I knew immediately that I wanted to shoot on my rooftop in East Williamsburg. The location is one of my go-to spaces for its open skyline, versatile light, and industrial textures that lend themselves perfectly to fashion-forward imagery.
Brooklyn has a gritty beauty—weathered brick, steel beams, and those long stretches of rooftop tar that reflect the sun in unexpected ways. It’s a space that feels both intimate and epic, and I love using it to explore themes of duality: polished vs. raw, structured vs. freeform, soft light vs. hard lines.
Why Raymond Ablack?
Casting is everything. And while this was a celebrity editorial, Raymond’s name on the call sheet felt more like casting a lead actor for a role rather than simply photographing someone for their fame.
Raymond brings a rare balance of subtlety and strength. He knows how to play to the camera without ever overreaching—it’s an emotional intelligence that not all actors bring into a fashion space. He’s expressive without being performative, and that nuance translated into some incredibly powerful imagery.
His recent performances in Maid and Ginny & Georgia have showcased his emotional range, and I wanted to channel that into a fashion story—one that doesn’t just show what he’s wearing, but who he is.
Styled by Alison Hernon: Fashion as Vision
It was an honor to collaborate with Photobook’s founder and editor-in-chief Alison Hernon, who also styled the editorial. Alison’s deep experience in fashion direction and her sharp editorial eye were integral to the shoot’s success. Her ability to elevate narrative through wardrobe brought a thoughtful cohesion to every look we photographed.
Each piece she selected played with form, fit, and texture—tailored silhouettes, architectural lines, and timeless menswear staples that reflected both Raymond’s personal style and the rugged elegance of the East Williamsburg rooftop.
The cover look featured Raymond in a dark charcoal broken-stripe suit and matching button-down shirt by Pence 1979. The monochromatic layers paired beautifully with the industrial setting and natural light, delivering a powerful opening image that set the tone for the rest of the series.
Lighting and Mood: The Role of Natural Light in Urban Spaces
As a photographer, lighting is one of the most critical elements in my creative toolbox. For this shoot, I chose to work almost entirely with natural light, adjusting with bounce and diffusion as needed. The afternoon sun provided a directional quality that created dynamic contrast—deep shadows and soft highlights that gave the editorial a cinematic edge.
Shooting outdoors on a rooftop means working with changing conditions: clouds move, shadows shift, and the quality of light evolves minute by minute. Rather than fight that, I embrace it. I’ve learned to let the environment shape the shoot, and some of my favorite images from this editorial came from those fleeting moments when the light hit just right.
Working With Talent: Creating a Comfortable and Collaborative Environment
One of the things I pride myself on as a photographer is the ability to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera. Whether I’m working with a seasoned model or a celebrity more familiar with film sets, I approach each shoot as a collaboration.
With Raymond, that process was effortless. From our first interaction, it was clear that he trusted the vision and was willing to explore different moods and directions. We talked about character, tone, even imagined backstories for different looks—which helped bring authenticity to the imagery.
It’s easy to forget how vulnerable it can feel to be in front of a camera, especially in fashion. There’s an element of performance, but also of exposure. My job is to create a space where the subject can let their guard down and connect with the lens, and that’s exactly what happened with this shoot.
The Gear Behind the Shoot: Tools of the Trade
For gearheads and fellow photographers wondering about the setup—this shoot was a combination of precision and minimalism.
- Camera: Canon 5DS
- Lenses: Canon EF 24-70mm for wider environmental shots
- Lighting: Natural light augmented with a silver bounce for fill
- Backdrop: The rooftop itself—the texture of tarpaper, brick, and skyline was all the set we needed
Editorial Narrative: More Than Just a Pretty Picture
What I strive to do with every editorial is tell a visual story. This shoot wasn’t just about making Raymond look good (though he did)—it was about capturing a mood, a feeling, a glimpse into character.
The resulting series balances high-fashion polish with cinematic grit. You can almost feel the breeze on the rooftop, hear the city below, sense the introspective calm between shots. These are the details that elevate an editorial beyond aesthetics—they make it resonate.
Post-Production and Curation: Honoring the Moment
Post-production is where everything comes together. I keep my editing process clean and intentional—contrast that enhances mood, retouching that preserves natural texture, cropping that tightens the story.
For this series, I maintained the depth and range of the black-and-white palette, emphasizing tonal contrast and dynamic range. The goal was to preserve the emotional weight of the shoot while enhancing the timeless elegance of monochrome imagery.
Curation is just as important. Not every good photo belongs in the final set. I spent time refining the sequence of images for Photobook Magazine, ensuring there was rhythm and narrative flow between each look and setting. The cover image, a powerful portrait of Raymond in the Pence 1979 look, leads the story with strength and elegance.
Editorials That Resonate: Why They Matter
As a commercial fashion photographer, I love shooting campaigns—but editorial work offers something different. It’s an opportunity to explore, to take creative risks, to tell stories that aren't driven by product but by mood and meaning.
Editorials like this one allow me to push my creative boundaries, collaborate with like-minded artists, and produce work that resonates with audiences on a deeper level. They also serve as a calling card for future projects, showcasing not just technical skill but artistic vision.
Final Thoughts: Collaboration at Its Best
This shoot reminded me of why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It’s not just about clicking a shutter—it’s about connection. It’s about translating emotion into imagery. It’s about creating work that feels authentic, alive, and human.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Alison Hernon for her visionary styling and editorial leadership, to Photobook Magazine for championing bold, original fashion stories, and of course, to Raymond Ablack for bringing his openness and presence to every frame.
Want to Collaborate?
If you’re a creative producer, fashion brand, or magazine editor looking to create bold, emotionally resonant editorial imagery, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re seeking location-based shoots or in-studio campaigns, I bring a collaborative spirit and two decades of experience to every project.