Captain Kate McCue - Editorial and Branding Shoot for NY MOVES Magazine's Power Women Edition
New York Moves Magazine Cover featuring Helena Bonham Carter, photographed by their team in NYC for the 2019 Power Women Edition
The call came in from Moonah Ellison, publisher for New York Moves Magazine. She shared that the publication had a major edition coming out, their annual Power Women edition, where they celebrate influential women at the top of their industries…
Helena Bonham Carter would be on the cover this issue (photographed by their team in New York)…past issues had featured Michelle Rodriguez (Fast and Furious, Avatar), Daymond John (Shark Tank, FUBU), the late Anthony Bourdain (Parts Unknown) , William Dafoe (Spiderman, Aquaman), Patricia Clarkson (House of Cards , Sharp Objects) and Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise, Rocky Horror Picture Show), among many many others.
She had found my women’s portrait work online, and asked if I was interested. Umm…yes!
One of the women they would be featuring was none other than Kate McCue, well respected captain for Celebrity Cruises
(the first and ONLY female cruise ship captain in the industry!), and her ship would be docking in Key West, during which time they needed to shoot a full editorial spread.
Did I mention? The ship would be in port only about a week later! Time to hustle! Within days, we had assembled a crew, found a wardrobe, arranged transportation, discussed the brief, gone back and forth on style and theme, and before I knew it, the day was upon us!
Kate arrived with her publicist from Celebrity Cruises, and immediately the team went to work getting her ready for the shoot. I did not know much about her, other than her title, which also meant I had no idea what to expect in terms of what she would be like to work with. Luckily, she arrived in great spirits, excited to work with us, and totally open to ideas. There was great conversation from the start, and a great energy in the room.
Despite this, this was still a unique position for me to be in, and I admit feeling some butterflies. Unlike a portrait client where I’m responsible only to the person I’m photographing, for something like this the outcome, the images, the satisfaction of the publication, the subject being photographed, the company she represents, and the team wanting their work shown in the best possible light, all rested squarely on my shoulders. NO PRESSURE! (And remember, I shoot weddings! haha)
So without further ado, here is my interview with Captain Kate McCue, complete with behind the scenes video from her photo shoot.
Also, enjoy some of the highlights from my session with Kate McCue for the November 2019 edition of New York Moves Magazine:
Special thanks to the amazing team who made this all happen!
Publisher - Moonah Ellison
Celebrity Communications - Nathalie Alberto
Talent: Captain Kate McCue
Ship: Celebrity Edge
Transportation: Conch Tour Train
Wardrobe Styling: Jenny Penny
Hair and Makeup: Talie Ayers (makeup) and Debra Kleinman (hair) with Beauty Boutique & the Glam Squad
Milliner: La Rubia
Looks by: Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Christian Louboutin
Photographer: Karrie Porter
Studio Setup: Devon Van Vleet
Editor: Milan Salvador
Retoucher: Renovel Balais
Karrie Porter is a Destination Wedding and Portrait Photographer based in Key West, Florida. Shooting professionally since 2001, she brings nearly 2 decades of experience to clients and other photographers, serving up creativity and expression with her signature style and energetic personality. For More Info, Meet Karrie and Team