Photo Diary: Ryan Scullin and the Transcendence Bridging Fashion and Fantasy

Q&APhoto

Jul 20

☆ BY LUIS BLANCO ☆

WHERE FASHION AND DREAMINESS COLLIDE - There are crisp moments experimented in this collection that we cannot miss when mesmerized by the pieces. Ryan Scullin, an upcoming photographer based in NYC, captures a modern perspective when observing the subjects and landscapes. Being one with his models, there is a bond exchanged that makes the work so real and in tune with what appears to be intimate.

Lighting is key, and there’s no doubt in how Scullin brings to our eyes the possibilities of shooting a scene highlighting his model. Their body language and persona is consistent within the mood— invigorating, our attention is fixed and we become inclusive to the art. The choice of wardrobe emanates a strong but subtle beauty in which is knowingly portrayed through the film.

Cutting, threading, sewing and transparency shown within the clothes is difficult to miss as they enhance the framing, our minds configuring with the creativity influenced behind the photoshoots. Infatuated with the stylistic approach of Kodak’s Ultramax 400, an increase in saturation emphasizing the pastel colors in the portraits creating fluidity in the subjects connecting them—bringing us closer—to a new world that isn’t quite seen by many people.

What is strong within these photographs is the seriousness; the sense of power of women in still motion, their surroundings easily conceptualized behind city life bringing forth a rawness of deep blues blooming so evidently.

Still in the development of his artistry, there is something new on its way and we’re so excited to see how well Scullin rides the wave when thinking of new concepts and ideas that are relevant or rather an escape of the so and so we call reality. Read below to learn more about the series and what’s next for Scullin.

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LUNA: First things first, how did you get into photography to begin with?

SCULLIN: I probably originally got into the idea of photography from Pokémon Snap on the Nintendo 64 when I was a kid. It was one of my favorite games and I had some Polaroid i-Zone cameras as a kid that I loved shooting with but I didn’t truly think of myself as a photographer in any sense of the word until I got my first smartphone. I started shooting landscapes around New Hampshire on my phone and would browse Tumblr and see all of the different styles of photography I would eventually pursue when I moved to Tokyo and NYC.

LUNA: What do you like about shooting on instax/polaroids?

SCULLIN: Polaroids and Instax film have a beautiful almost impressionistic feeling that I feel can’t be fully replicated digitally. Instant films contain reactive chemicals that just seem to handle light in color in a special way. Even when I crop my instax photos to remove the border, you can still tell it’s instant film.

LUNA: Favorite film to work with?

SCULLIN: My favorite film recently has been Kodak Ultramax 400. It's more affordable than portra which is a big reason why I shoot it but it also gives a much more lofi grainy look especially when pushed 1 or 2 stops. A lot of my recent film pictures have been Ultramax.

LUNA: Can you share a bit about what your typical creative process or shoot looks like?

SCULLIN: My typical shoot is honestly just hanging out with a friend outdoors, finding good light in the area we're in and just trying to find interesting ways to incorporate them into the scene.

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LUNA: Which is your favorite shot from this series?

SCULLIN: My favorite shot from this series is still this picture of Pio (@tabesugita) in Shinjuku Ni-Chome. I love the colors, Instax has a tendency to make darker parts of the image very blue, which I feel fits really well with the yellow and pink of her outfit.

LUNA: How have you seen your style change since you first starting shooting?

SCULLIN: I feel like my style is very much still developing, I like exploring different mediums, films and styles of lighting. I've just started shooting more with artificial light and digital which is fun in its own way.

LUNA: Where do you hope your photography will take you in the upcoming months?

SCULLIN: I hope my photography/videography/design and other works will get me a full-time creative job.

LUNA: What steps do you take to get your model comfortable? How does that collaborative nature usually look like for you?

SCULLIN: Usually I like to talk a bit with my subject to make it feel less serious, I like making shoots feel really relaxed even if it's really important.

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LUNA: Who is your dream client to work with?

SCULLIN: Ryuichi Sakamoto. He's so photogenic and I love his style and music.

LUNA: With things opening up and life starting to pick up, what intentions do you have for the upcoming months?

SCULLIN: In the coming months I hope to do more video and photo work and also expand my digital design/art portfolio.

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“There's no part of me where I'm denying it or I'm ashamed or I don't want to represent that, but I think just some things should go unspoken and just let the art speak. You don't have to say someone is this, someone is that. Just listen to my music & come up with your own conclusion. That is so freeing to know that I'm not having to adhere to any type of category, genre. I'm just me. I'm a person sharing my experiences & living my life. I don't ever want to be boxed in that way. “ - Deb Never in our 15th Issue 🌟 Photos by @myyaaii Styling by @savwhite Interview by @itssophielol

Dylan Fraser’s catalog explores ruminative pop that is unafraid to experiment with distortion in all of its iterations, & unequivocally embraces vulnerability 🎵 Following the success of 2020’s ‘The Storm’, Fraser has quickly caught the attention of the industry & with his upcoming project, he is ready to cement his position in the new pop canon. 💫Fraser’s new track, “Nightmare”, is out now on all streaming platforms + his new EP, ‘The World Isn’t Big When You Know How It Works’, will be released on August 20th through Atlantic Records. Check out our interview with Fraser to learn more about the new music & what’s next for him ⚡️

“Polaroids & Instax film have a beautiful almost impressionistic feeling that I feel can’t be fully replicated digitally. Instant films contain reactive chemicals that just seem to handle light in color in a special way. Even when I crop my instax photos to remove the border, you can still tell it’s instant film.” - Ryan Scullin 🌟 🎞 Upcoming NYC photographer Ryan Scullin captures a modern perspective when observing the subjects & landscapes around him. Check out the full interview & more of his work on our site now 💗