This started out with an elaborate set-up to construct a box to put Aello in. The early shots in this set were more conventional, but it was when I stopped looking through the lens and got very close to Aello that I began to get some interesting work.

The box we shot in, using the monochromatic purple cast and shooting from the hip created a very unusual set. I really like the way Aello’s hair pops here. I also like the illusion that there is very little detail, but the fact that there is actually a great deal of detail in these shots.

I couldn’t have done this set with a model I was just starting to work with. Aello’s trust in me allowed me to get in very close and create compositions that just wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I think it’s also important to note that a lot of the time I encourage Aello to give me a lot of attitude, but you can see her fun side and a tender side here as well.

I enjoyed the way this experiment turned out. I hope you do too.

- Dirk Hooper