SHEER

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With a limited budget, two days of shooting, and a very very very tall ask, I produced this photoshoot and motion piece for J. Crew’s innovative stretch fabric chino. Together with director/photographer Dewey Nicks and production designer Coryander Friend, we developed a slim crew to execute this vision in the most efficient and budget friendly manner possible.

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In this inaugural photoshoot, producer Tara Trullinger, photographer Justin Chung, and myself, Shawn Merz, developed a body of work to showcase the Four Seasons Manhattan. Our team was tasked with capturing elevated, yet candid moments of real life – to portray the Four Seasons as more than a place of suits and ties, but as a place of leisure.

With quality, service, culture, and brand in mind, we set out to create new iconic imagery.

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To celebrate 150 years of animal rescue, I and director Dewey Nicks volunteered our time to ideate and create a three minute brand piece. Collaborating with SNL writers for script, we employed the personas and volunteered time of stars like Martha Stewart, Kesha, George Lopez, Jason Schwartzman, and more to “speak” on behalf of rescued animals. 

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For this photoshoot I came on as producer and production designer–creating sets and work out environments that would make sense for FitBit brand ambassadors Juliannae Hough and Gabrielle Reece. 

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For this intensive social media stills and video  gallery, I came on as production designer to create the world of Bliss. Working with an amazing light team, we developed an amazing color gradient to highlight the Bliss brand colors. Additionally, I developed a water box system to capture an amazing point of view sink shot.

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For this editorial, I cast the beautiful Jaden–a basketball player/model hybrid. Over the course of 8 hours, we shot multiple looks throughout Downtown Los Angeles to showcase the trending sheer style.

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I started Mr. Merz as a platform to collaborate with traditional craftsmen and craftswomen in Turkey and Myanmar. I sought to use old world techniques in a modern format to create sustainable items. 

Mr. Merz is sold throughout the U.S., Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Australia. 

In 2017 I had the honor of collaborating with famed design firm Commune to make a limited set of textiles.  

www.mrmerz.com

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One of the hottest days of summer in LA, we explored the epic architecture of the Santa Anita racetrack to develop  a beautiful fashion editorial for LA magazine.

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In this editorial for Vanity Fair, legendary photographer Dewey Nicks shoots social media star Lucky Blue in style by Jeanne Yang. Lucky’s musical background inspired us to pull references from Stray Cat’s Lee Drucker’s famous base balance.

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Three days, a helipad, a water truck, a back drop of LA, and a Jaguar E -Type suspended over a starlet’s head–this Vanity Fair shoot was one of the most difficult to pull off.  Yet through grit, a great crew, and a belief in magic, I was able to create some gorgeous images that I’m beyond proud of.

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Living legend actress shared her love for animals with us in this quick editorial piece for the Standard hotel. Dressed in amazing fashion by celebrity stylist Elizabeth Stewart, Anjelica proved to be the ultimate Hollywood icon. My personal favorite celebrity to have worked with.

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Used as part of the “Standard Culture” series, this advertorial piece showcased the fun, flirty, and voyeuristic nature of the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood. 

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With famed photographer Matthias Vriens McGrath and Diesel creative director Nicola Formichetti, I cast a portfolio of models to showcase the diesel hero underwear collection.