Instant Influencer

Early 2020 aka pre-pandemic and what feels like War of the Worlds, we were hired by YouTube to shoot the key art assets to their new Original Series, Instant Influencer featuring James Charles, a beauty YouTuber. With almost 20 million subscribers and being Cover Girl’s first male Cover Girl, he was the obvious choice to host this beauty/makeup competition. Think Top Model, but with make up. With guest judges including Paris Hilton, and Norvina, the heir to Anastasia Beverly Hills and an influencer with her own merit.

6 contestants, with 1 winner that gets a $50,000 grand prize, a $10,000 lighting and videography package and a feature in a video on Jame’s channel, resulting in being an instant influencer.

Some of the obstacles from this shoot was pretty textbook. Classic tight schedule. We had about 5 hours to get all contestants, James, and Norvana shot. That worked out to be about 10-15 minutes per contestant (a little more for James), to get a wide variety of portraits, full body and a last minute addition of cinemagraphs shots.

The added bonus challenge in this shoot was that these were all beauty influencers. Some were particular with their “good side” and some needed specific lighting (and nothing else will do!). Which to be fair, we can all relate to.