Brianna Capozzi isn't your average fashion photographer. She's more likely to ask a model to eat a pizza or stick their head in a bush than strike a sexy pose. She creates provocative images while twisting the notions of conventional beauty and behavior. Her models appear so dewy they almost look sweaty, their hair isn't perfect, and their bodies are often contorted into strange and even unflattering positions. Capozzi's vision is a refreshing break from the glossy, hi-fi images that dominate the fashion world. We interviewed the photographer, who recently shot our Adam Selman editorial, about fake nails, making clothes, and buying wigs in Bed-Stuy.
Shannan Elinor Smith: The styling in your photographs is similar, do you style your own shoots or collaborate with the same stylists?
Brianna Capozzi: A lot of my older work is styled by me or JULIA EHRLICH, who is a stylist and also my best friend. In school I was in this program that involved making one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing and then I would shoot what I made—that’s how I got into photography in the first place. I am so attracted to the styling side of it, almost more than the photography side, which is really bizarre. I’ve actually only worked with a few other stylists. I love clothes, so the outfit is almost everything, it’s the first place I go.
So does the outfit come before the photo for you?
I think the outfit and location. And the person too obviously; most of my subjects are reoccurring. I think if an outfit is bad a photo can be ruined, more than if lighting is bad, or location is bad, or anything.
The settings in your photos are very unique; things feel scattered and in disarray, yet luxurious. Can you tell me about the places you shoot and the props you use?
Some of them are real life, they are people's houses that we go to. I’m always looking for locations. I will have just started dating someone and already be asking to shoot at their grandma’s house. It’s really ridiculous! I grew up in Jersey so I am inspired by those types of houses and environments. Sometimes I create environments in my apartment.
I’m still learning how to have a bunch of minds in one photo, before it was usually just my mind. For a long time I did makeup, and hair, and styling on everything. I like having a smaller production; a bigger one changes the dynamic of the set.
I read that you often cast your models from the street?
Yeah, I love to to do that! I give them my info and if they contact me we can create something together. I recently saw this amazing woman at a church in Bed-Stuy. She had short, bright red hair and this amazing gap. She was awesome, but she never followed up.
So what is it about somebody that initially captures you?
I can’t really say. Just anything, maybe their demeanor, but probably their look. Usually it triggers an idea for a photoshoot, maybe in the end when I finally do shoot them it’s not what I thought it would be. I’ll have an idea in mind when I see them on the train or wherever.
I think the behavior of the models in your photographs is interesting. The girls are often slightly misbehaving in an adolescent kind of way. A lot of times they have their pants pulled down and they are wearing their underwear over their clothes or they are in strange bending positions. Where does that come from?
That’s a question I get asked. I don’t know, where does that come from? I guess I’m just sick of the normal, everyday fashion photography. The posing an
Shannan Elinor Smith: The styling in your photographs is similar, do you style your own shoots or collaborate with the same stylists?
Brianna Capozzi: A lot of my older work is styled by me or JULIA EHRLICH, who is a stylist and also my best friend. In school I was in this program that involved making one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing and then I would shoot what I made—that’s how I got into photography in the first place. I am so attracted to the styling side of it, almost more than the photography side, which is really bizarre. I’ve actually only worked with a few other stylists. I love clothes, so the outfit is almost everything, it’s the first place I go.
So does the outfit come before the photo for you?
I think the outfit and location. And the person too obviously; most of my subjects are reoccurring. I think if an outfit is bad a photo can be ruined, more than if lighting is bad, or location is bad, or anything.
The settings in your photos are very unique; things feel scattered and in disarray, yet luxurious. Can you tell me about the places you shoot and the props you use?
Some of them are real life, they are people's houses that we go to. I’m always looking for locations. I will have just started dating someone and already be asking to shoot at their grandma’s house. It’s really ridiculous! I grew up in Jersey so I am inspired by those types of houses and environments. Sometimes I create environments in my apartment.
I’m still learning how to have a bunch of minds in one photo, before it was usually just my mind. For a long time I did makeup, and hair, and styling on everything. I like having a smaller production; a bigger one changes the dynamic of the set.
I read that you often cast your models from the street?
Yeah, I love to to do that! I give them my info and if they contact me we can create something together. I recently saw this amazing woman at a church in Bed-Stuy. She had short, bright red hair and this amazing gap. She was awesome, but she never followed up.
So what is it about somebody that initially captures you?
I can’t really say. Just anything, maybe their demeanor, but probably their look. Usually it triggers an idea for a photoshoot, maybe in the end when I finally do shoot them it’s not what I thought it would be. I’ll have an idea in mind when I see them on the train or wherever.
I think the behavior of the models in your photographs is interesting. The girls are often slightly misbehaving in an adolescent kind of way. A lot of times they have their pants pulled down and they are wearing their underwear over their clothes or they are in strange bending positions. Where does that come from?
That’s a question I get asked. I don’t know, where does that come from? I guess I’m just sick of the normal, everyday fashion photography. The posing an