That’s what I was given to capture all my backstage content at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: 20 minutes.
I barely slept the night before. I kept having nightmares that backstage, my shutter button stopped working and I left the show with empty memory cards. I debated all morning how I was going to shoot. Did I want to use flash? Did I want to use my 50mm? Did I want the images to be journalistic? Or beauty moments captured with a softbox? All these decisions went completely out the door the minute I entered backstage.
Escorted backstage by a PR representative, my editor and I were led down one hall, then another, and another, before arriving at the last check-in next to the stage. Side note: I had to check in a total of three separate times and had my pass scanned twice. This is White House-level security (or better).
I leaned to the right to look into the space, which shined like a diamond. A security guard yells “stay to the left!” I jolt back in line. The curtains open and I am engulfed in what feels like heaven.
Literal angels grace the hot pink carpet. All in matching satin robes, bras and glitter underwear, the models are in hair and makeup, doing interviews, and shooting with photographers. I pinch myself and whisper under my breath… twenty minutes, let’s go.
I didn’t have two hours to cover backstage and first looks like at New York Fashion Week. My time was limited. I would only be able to capture what I was given — a challenge I was willing to accept. Typically, backstage photographers are refrained and scorned for shooting models in underwear, which would violate their privacy. This was an exception to the rule.
The fantasy bra, composed of 2,100 Swarovski created diamonds and set to be worth $1 million, was roped off, naturally. Two security guards were posted at each end of the rope. They look ready to tackle anyone who so much as breathed in its direction. I am used to the clothes in fashion week to be on racks in the wide open, still being hemmed and sewn by the designer, minutes before the runway. This piece took 930 hours to make and clearly was perfect and needed no finishing touches. The crystals radiated and bounced off the pink curtains and walls.
Elsa Hosk, who would be wearing the fantasy bra, is escorted through the crowd backstage to do some private shooting with renowned Victoria’s Secret photographer Russell James.
I felt like I was part of the elite.
Models Subah Koj and Alanna Arrington giggle in the couch looking at their phones. Barbara Fialho touches up her eyeliner with a q-tip. First time walker Kelsey Merritt sheds tears of happiness backstage as she is getting interviewed. The energy is on a different level than a typical fashion week show. Models blow kisses for the camera and discuss which artists they are looking forward to seeing perform the most.
Only a few shows I have shot had live performances, but none included this line-up of A-list pop stars. I pass Kelsea Ballerini in a glittery mini dress that mimics the shine of the fantasy bras, standing with Bebe Rexha.
There is no sense of urgency since the girls have been there since 9:00 AM and the show starts at 4:00 PM. Typically, models are running around because they just came from another show and have only 10 minutes to change. This time, it’s the photographers running around and getting their workout in.
My editor is crouched down next to Gigi Hadid listening to her tell her a story about the time Zayn Malik surprised her with a projector installed in her home. I take some shots and just like that, my time is up.
I take one last look backstage and gracefully exit. Photographing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I would have taken five minutes backstage, just to be around the angels and say I was a small part of the biggest fashion show of the year.
Be sure to look for me when the show airs December 2nd on ABC.
