This shoot came together through people. Not a rigid concept. Not a checklist. Just shared trust and the willingness to build something meaningful across borders.
Working with Tina again felt natural from the first frame. Our first shoot together became part of my photo book Fashion and Editorial Photography Sixteen Tales From Around the World, and that experience created a foundation that carried into this project. There is a quiet understanding that forms when you have already created something together. Fewer words. More instinct. Tina brings a grounded confidence to every frame. She does not perform for the camera. She collaborates with it.
We photographed this series along Avenue de Camoens in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower present but restrained. I chose this location intentionally. It offers context without demanding attention. Paris becomes a supporting character, not the headline. Stone balustrades. Classic facades. Autumn trees catching the light. The setting allowed the collaboration to stay front and center.
The look was shaped entirely through collaboration. A textured red top designed by Shikha, paired with flowing white trousers also styled by her. The contrast felt intentional and balanced. Strength and softness. Bold color grounded by movement and ease. This was my first project with Shikha, and it mattered to me to place her work in an international setting. Her designs carry intention. They do not rely on excess. Giving her work space in Paris felt like the right way to introduce it to a broader audience. Fashion deserves to travel. So do ideas.
Jewelry by Butones Jewelry added another layer to the story. Repurposed fashion pieces that carry history forward. Gold tones catching the afternoon light. Subtle movement with every shift of Tina’s body. There is something powerful about jewelry that has lived before and now finds new meaning. I am grateful to share this moment with Butones Jewelry, whose work aligns so naturally with storytelling rooted in purpose and sustainability.
Throughout the shoot, the energy stayed honest and collaborative. Tina leaning against stone railings. Standing centered on the steps. Sitting quietly as the light shifted. Nothing forced. Nothing rushed. These moments happen when everyone involved trusts each other and the process.
Earlier in the day, we also photographed a separate set with Tina at Pont Bir Hakeim. A different rhythm. More structure. More movement. Those images will be shared soon, and together the two locations feel like chapters of the same narrative. One collaboration unfolding across spaces, moods, and perspectives.
What stays with me most is the reminder that editorial photography thrives on connection. Designers trusting their work to travel. Models bringing their voice and presence. Jewelry carrying stories forward. Photography acting as the thread that brings it all together. This is the work I care about. Collaborative. International. Built on people first storytelling.
Photo Credits
- Model: Tina Lopez
- Fashion Designer and Styling: Shikha
- Jewelry Designer: Butones Jewelry
- Photographer: Paul Tocatlian
For brands, designers, models, and other creatives looking to create inspiring imagery, let’s connect. From fashion editorials to runway coverage to publishing your work, let’s explore how fashion and storytelling intersect, and where your next project might lead.
© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.
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