It’s easy to think of erotic photography as a collaboration between two people – artist and model. But it’s often not that simple. Many photographers employ one, or more, assistants to help set up, arrange, and manage equipment and props, for example. And, for true professional level, commercial quality photography, a stylist is an absolute essential. The term is something of an umbrella, and stylists often have expertise in make-up, hair, costuming, and art direction. I mention this because Vienna, the first-time model who stars in Presenting is training to become a professional stylist, and was inspired to try modelling after helping prepare model friends for their own photo shoots. So Presenting is notable not simply because it’s our first exposure to a new model, but also because we get to see a behind the scenes professional step into the spotlight.
I have no way of knowing if Vienna had any input on the style or design of Slastyonoff‘s work here, however. Vienna’s make-up is simple and natural, she’s dressed in nothing more than a gauzy dress and a pair of simple flat sandals, and she poses on a sofa that’s been draped and dressed in fluffy layers of white tulle fabric. In close shots Vienna looks like a stylised angel floating on a cloud, but when the camera pulls back and we can see the legs and outline of the sofa the illusion is less effective.
In physical and emotional terms Vienna is pure pleasure. She’s got a shapely physique, exceptionally beautiful breasts, and she’s equally beautiful below the belt – I, for one, would have enjoyed a few more explicit shots, and at least a couple of close-ups, but the set is far from tame even in their absence. Vienna does exhibit a couple of what I consider new model qualities. In several shots her hands seem a bit stiff, for example. And she has a habit of tilting her head to her left. But it’s a pretty head (and face) so this is a minor quibble. And she does display some pleasing versatility here. She can deliver formal, stylish poses like #051, with her eyes to the side. She’s got a sultry, bedroom allure in shots like #045. And when she’s relaxed and simply being herself, as she is (to one degree or another) in #007, #011, or #012, she displays a spontaneous, natural, approachable charm.
Vienna may well have a bright future ahead of her as a photo stylist, but, as she demonstrates in Presenting Vienna, she’s also got the skills and beauty to pursue a career as an erotic photo model. I look forward to seeing more of what she has to offer in future Met Art photo galleries.
