Simplify Your Life
Simplify Your Life is an editorial which explores female relationship featuring Nastassia Kit, a model, and a photographer and Anna April, a model. The shoot takes place in the cozy double story apartment in Tel Aviv with window views to the sleeping quarter in the heart of the city’s hectic life. The lens takes us to the moments of shifting the emotional state playing with the concepts of being alone and together in one space, carefully reminding of the chimerical notion of eternity.
Mike Ivnitsky is a Tel Aviv based fashion and nude photographer who created his unique vision in which the merge between the shape of the body, architecture, and a rough, edgy visuals take place. We speak with Mike about exploring the dynamics of two models, his friends in the shoot, experimenting with natural light photography, and working on set.
‘I rarely shoot several models in the same frame, it's something that doesn't come easy to me’
Hi Mike, let’s speak about this shoot. What led you to work on this story? Was it a new acquaintance, a location you found, or a specific vibe you wanted to catch?
I shot both models before, and I like their energy, but never shot them together. They are great friends for a long time, and I wanted to see their dynamics together. They were both in town, and I met them at a different place completely spontaneously. So we talked we should plan for a get-together, and shoot something.
How does the dynamic on set changes when you work with two models, Nastya and Anna (who are also friends) when compared to working with one model in a more intimate atmosphere?
I rarely shoot several models in the same frame, it's something that doesn't come easy to me. But in this specific case, I really wanted to see their dynamics. They are very different people in a lot of senses, but they complement each other, and it’s a sight to behold how they just talk sitting on the couch or something as mundane.
You work a lot with natural light, and this set isn’t an exception, does it at times work against you and adds obstacles or additional challenges to the shoot?
Actually, I used to work with flash 90% even in daylight, it creates a predictable comfortable look, but I switched to a lot of natural light because it shows these natural skin tones, makes everything look romantic. Nowadays, I'd say I shoot 60% flash 40% natural light.
‘Nudity is a natural state, if you don't make a fuss about it, it becomes a non-issue. Also, since a lot of the work I shoot is nude, models who work with me are usually prepared for this’
What tips or advice can you share as your methodology to make sure models feel comfortable on set, especially when some nudity is involved?
Well, I think the thing is to act as natural as possible, discuss boundaries in advance, without being banal. Nudity is a natural state, if you don't make a fuss about it, it becomes a non-issue. Also, since a lot of the work I shoot is nude, models who work with me are usually prepared for this.
What do you usually do after a successful photo shoot?
Since I am friends with some of the people I shoot, we sometimes go to have dinner or a drink afterward to decompress.
