Spotlight on the Shoot: Lucy Freyer for PhotoBook Magazine
On a grey, overcast morning in late May, perfect lighting for an outdoor shoot, my East Williamsburg space became the creative hub for a photoshoot with rising star Lucy Freyer, the breakout talent of FX/Hulu’s comedy series Adults. The shoot was commissioned for PhotoBook Magazine, a publication known for its dedication to sustainable fashion, authentic storytelling, and visual artistry. Working alongside the brilliant stylist Alison Hernon, we brought to life an editorial that embraced the character, energy, and layered identity Lucy carries with her.
This behind-the-scenes look shares the creative journey of our rooftop and street-level shoot—a celebration of mood, movement, and the magic of in-between moments.
1 | A Star on the Rise: Lucy Freyer
Lucy Freyer is quickly emerging as a defining voice in today’s entertainment landscape. In Adults, which premiered May 28, 2025, she plays Billie—a high-achiever who must redefine herself beyond academic accolades and cultural expectations. It’s a story of self-discovery and imperfection, and Lucy inhabits it with disarming vulnerability and a quiet strength.
Beyond Adults, Lucy has appeared in Paint alongside Owen Wilson and co-starred with Katie Holmes in the off-Broadway production The Wanderers. Her training at Juilliard shows in her grounded presence and thoughtful responses. During the shoot, she moved fluidly from reflective to playful, unafraid to engage with the city’s textures and unpredictability.
As PhotoBook Magazine notes, she is "finding herself without the parts of herself she’s always tied to her identity" — a sentiment we embraced as a visual through-line.
2 | About PhotoBook Magazine
PhotoBook Magazine is more than a fashion magazine. Its editorial vision is rooted in values: sustainability, inclusivity, mental wellness, and expressive creativity. It serves as a platform for honest storytelling told through the lenses of fashion, beauty, art, and culture. With each issue, the publication prioritizes depth over gloss and champions diverse voices with style and substance.
Our shoot for their Entertainment feature aligned perfectly with their mission—an unfiltered, multi-dimensional portrayal of an artist stepping into her light.
3 | Alison Hernon’s Styling Vision
Stylist Alison Hernon brought sophistication and spontaneity to every look. As both Editorial Stylist and Editor-in-Chief of PhotoBook, Alison had a holistic vision for the shoot: one that harmonized fashion with story.
Her wardrobe curation was all about contrasts—structured vs. flowing, refined vs. raw. She paired tailored pieces with daring accessories, mixing labels and aesthetics in a way that mirrored Lucy’s multidimensional personality.
Some standout looks included:
- A slouchy trench from Oak + Fort, layered over a Frederick Anderson dress, paired with bold earrings by Laruicci—the perfect juxtaposition of softness and edge.
- A structured jacket by Heike-NY worn with CPLUS SERIES pants and a minimalist Lafaurie top.
- On the rooftop, light, feminine pieces like the Alice + Olivia bustier caught the wind and danced against the skyline.
Each look told a part of Lucy’s story—from introspection to expansion.
4 | The East Williamsburg Backdrop
We based our shoot entirely on location: the streets and rooftop of my East Williamsburg studio. This vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood offered texture, geometry, and narrative in every corner.
Street Scenes
The morning began with Lucy immersed in the neighborhood’s pulse—walking past murals, leaning into sun-washed brick, framed by alleyways and fire escapes. These images captured movement and intention: Lucy’s gaze just off-frame, as if in dialogue with an unseen city voice.
The mood was kinetic. Lucy’s expressions evolved from moment to moment: contemplative, slyly amused, resolute. Passersby paused. Music spilled from bodegas. The camera drank in the atmosphere.
Rooftop Release
By midday, we climbed to the rooftop. Wind whipped through loose layers; light shifted with the clouds. Here, Lucy truly came alive. She danced, stretched, paused mid-step. Her arms opened to the skyline like wings.
The rooftop shoot emphasized liberation. With skyline views, exposed brick, and unfiltered sunlight, the frames captured not just a subject—but a spirit in transition.
5 | A Visual Narrative of Transformation
Through every setup, we aimed to tell a layered story:
- Expectation vs. Self-Definition: Outerwear and tailored silhouettes on the street symbolized the pressure of roles and image.
- Inner Vitality: Natural light and flowy fabrics up high gave way to expressive freedom.
- Urban Texture vs. Skybound Light: Grounded imagery met aspirational framing. Grit met grace.
Lucy’s quote from the PhotoBook feature stayed in mind: "When I’m doing something, I’m doing it 100%." She gave every shot a sense of presence that made it easy to find meaning through the lens.
6 | Collaboration and Craft
This shoot succeeded because of a shared creative trust. Working with Alison Hernon meant ideas flowed seamlessly from concept to fabric to frame. Lucy’s willingness to go all in—barefoot on tarpaper, leaning into alley shadows, spinning mid-laugh on the rooftop—made the visuals honest and immediate.
Every element mattered:
- Natural light changed the mood of each location.
- Angles and lenses were chosen to support narrative arcs—tight for intimacy, wide for context.
- Color grading unified each phase, shifting from earth tones below to golden glow above.
7 | Final Thoughts
Photographing Lucy Freyer for PhotoBook Magazine was more than just a portrait session. It was a meditation on identity, visibility, and movement.
Lucy’s performance in Adults has introduced her to a wide audience, but our shoot allowed space for something more nuanced: a visual language for who she is becoming.
With the East Williamsburg neighborhood as our backdrop, and the sky itself as a scene partner, we crafted an editorial that speaks to growth, grace, and grit.
I’m grateful to PhotoBook Magazine for the opportunity, and to Alison Hernon for the creative partnership. Most of all, I’m grateful to Lucy for showing up as her full, radiant self.
Stay tuned for more editorial work coming soon. Until then, I invite you to explore the full feature over at PhotoBook Magazine—and experience this story the way we meant it to be told: in layers of light, fabric, and fearless expression.
Credits
Talent: Lucy Freyer
Photographer: Eric Hason
Stylist / Editor-in-Chief: Alison Hernon
Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Hair: Halie Kellagher
Makeup: Cat Mignano
Location: Studio 411, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn