Blue, Rainy,& Red.

From the first time I met Noji, she was simply, dope. Her presence was lively, her style was colorful and she oozed creativity. Upon IG telling me more about Noji, I found and discovered all of those things to be true (with a name like Noji - how could it not be true ?)

From our first creative conversations, Noji and I found a vibe that interested both of us: the color blue, rain, and styling. We felt her red hair against the blue Slug and rainy day would make for a beautiful collage of textures, color, and temperature. The location of the shoot would take place on a street very familiar to both Isaiah and Noji, South Avenue, a long road that connects one side of town to the other, but sporadically filled with empty office spaces, hotels, and event spaces. To them, the street and its tenants were ordinary, things they have seen time and time again. But on this street… I saw something special. A single, double decker parking lot. Tall, open, surrounded by trees. Moody. It was unfamiliar to me, and at the same time so familiar to them. But exploring it this day would make it new for all of us. Especially because, it was pouring beautiful rain.

We all arrived on site, separately in our own cars. Hella dramatic lol. We got out and started to style the shoot. Noji came in a white ruffle skirt, white Air Force 1s, white headband, and curly red hair. Perfect. I came and added a white Champion hoodie, bright blue rain jacket, and the SLUG. The colors and proportions were perfect. Color. Street. Rugged. Elegant. I handed Noji a transparent umbrella which felt like a forcefield around her. I grabbed the camera, IG grabbed his, and we began.

Sluggin’ while Flowin’.

Noji. Did. Her. Thing. Between her own confidence and IG’s directing, we floated throughout the parking garage. Posed shots, product shots, detail shots. She brought a personality and flare that complemented SLUG so well. The SLUG was like her little brother or sister, going along for the ride. We traversed up and down the stairs of the garage, shooting, brainstorming, laughing. We flowed like the water surrounding us.

We live in …

Towards the end of the shoot, as we were wrapping up, we saw something. Well actually, we all had seen it the entire time we were there - but knew we couldn’t even think about it before we got all the shots. The thing we saw was …. A …. Giant …. Puddle …. Of …. Mud.

SLUG. MUD. We had to do it. IG and I looked at eachother. We looked at Noji…. And thank god, she was DOWN ! Right there and then, Noji stepped up to the mud puddle in her white Air Force 1s, we counted down from 3 ….. 3 , 2, 1 ! and we got it.

Straight out the Mud.

Noji

Collaboration. Introspection.