Shot by Brooklyn-based photographer Kira Bucca on assignment for JeJune, this portrait is one of several in a series that illustrates people of various cultures and backgrounds coming together to make change. Bucca sums up the theme of the shoot: “We just need to love each other.”

Captured in her studio, Bucca wanted to imitate the look of natural light by triggering a large softbox into a V-flat on a roughly 45-degree angle from the models. “I wanted to add a little pop to the shoot by using a gridded beauty dish in the front,” she says. She also added a black V-flat on the side for a bit more contrast.

The shoot took place in one day and featured ten models of various backgrounds in a range of poses, outfits and stylings. “It was a long day,” Bucca recalls, but the results were worth it. “I think our world could always use a little more love and unity, and I will try to contribute however I can to that.”

The full series can be found here.

Stylist: Alison Hernon at Agency Gerard Artists
Makeup: Aleetha Clanton at Cloutier Remix
Hair: Joshua Barrett at Creative Management
Photo Assistants: Tam Nguyen and Michael Newman
Models pictured: Jacob Charvat and Vanusa, both at New York Model Management

(Captured using a Canon 5D Mark III and an 85mm f/1.8 lens.)

© Kira Bucca

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