Alex Barakat photographed “Comfort of a Stranger” fashion editorial, featuring Karen Brauns as the Mannequin, and Danielle Duvale as the Stranger. The fashion editorial was styled by Nia Dennis, makeup by Inara Lopetaite-Akin, Agnes Rulinskaite, and hair by Justyn Niwa.

Some say love is the universal language. In the case of our Face of the Month, Mila Kali, it’s photography that’s making the world a smaller place and bridging distances. She arrives to our interview, just returned from an overseas trip, smiling and carrying a box of sweets from Europe.

Photographed by Ash Gupta for 838 Media Group
Model – Mila Kali
Makeup/Hair – Inara Lopetaite-Akin, Jyoti Nair, Vanessa Venancio, Janelle Wright
Post Production – Hanne Clarke
Style – Jordan Swain, NAILA Styling (Natalia Diakova)

Our July/August Face of the Month walks in looking like any other young woman in Southern California. But as she talks, her bright smile punctuates a focus, determination, and passion for being in front of the camera. We sat down on one of those oppressively hot, summertime days to learn more about Shayda Shivaei.

Imagine a tall, handsome man and a lovely, vivacious blonde . . . at first their love was wonderful, just the two of them. Then suddenly a third person enters the scene. It is no longer exclusive, intimate, or special. But the twist is who comes out on top!

“Jeff’s Jacket” Fashion Editorial (Photo: Ash Gupta)With more than just a hint of sexuality, this titillating fashion spread with distressed knitted coverings will leave very little to your imagination.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a fellow photographer. While working on a current endeavor of mine, “Warriors of the Rising Sun,” contributor Caley Johnson of Miss G Designs, a good friend of mine, suggested I meet with Allan. Caley told me of his obsession with photography but, more intriguing, his passion of tintype and ambrotype portraits.

“Do you know I adopted two owls?” she remarks, at a photo shoot in the Mid City area of Los Angeles. “Ever since I can remember,” she continues, “they have been my absolute favorite creatures. They’re these miraculous creatures who can see from all angles! That’s what I love about them; they never have to be scared because they have a way of being able to always see what’s coming.”

Ash Gupta’s project Delirium of Dementia is a work that touches themes such as acceptance, guilt, subservience and sex. While the concepts and images touch upon sex peripherally, they are by no means sexy images.

Our Face of the Month Olivia Fox grew up in Los Angeles but describes her origins as “French, Italian, Russian, and Galactic.” Talking with her, one gets the impression that space—both outer and inner—is a common theme in her life.