Mint Room Challenge IV at Preto Loft
Photo by: Maya Sherwood (@mayasherwoodphotography )
On December 17th, 2019, five photographers entered another one of our Mint Room Challenges. With no indication of what they’d be shooting, the individuals walked in, camera in hand, all equally as eager and curious as to what the afternoon had in store for them. Our photography challenge was a bit different this year, instead of hosting it in our home base at Mint Room we moved the party just a couple streets over to our second home/ newly released studio- Preto Loft. Known as our sister studio (our more mysterious one at that), Preto Loft is reminiscent of the industrial look while keeping it trendy, emulating a loft located in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Although visually a complete 180 from Mint Room, the energy at Preto Loft remains the same, excited and hungrier than ever.
The show couldn’t go on without a director, and that’s where Drew, the studio manager here at Mint Room, came in. His selection of participants was based on the range of skill sets and experiences each one of them have. He also mentions that, “Not only were we excited to see what everyone would shoot, we were also experiencing Preto with the whole team for the first time as well.”
It’s true, Preto is still very much in its opening stages of being introduced to the creative world of Toronto and the guests we’ve hosted so far have been nothing short of spectacular
About the Team:
Director:
Andrew Obtinalla: @andrewobtinalla
Photographers:
Anthony Delia: @anthonydelia
A travelled landscape photographer turned full time commercial/fashion photographer.
Twayne Savio Pereira: @twayner_
A Neuroscientist turned videographer, honing his photography skills and bringing flash to the challenge to further challenge himself.
Maya Sherwood : @mayasherwoodphotography
A past host of the Mint Room Challenge and photographer. Maya wanted to feel what it felt like on the other side. Also, hated the film challenge.
Nikki Ross: @_nikkiross
A young aspiring photographer, in school studying and currently working at West Side Studio.
Kaela Leone: @kaela_leone
New to photography, loves the art and is the owner of Common People Shop on Roncy. Kaela has an incredible eye and took full advantage of an event like this to learn from people in the industry.
The Challenges:
Set Design Challenge
The first challenge was a welcoming one as it gave the participants a chance to design the room for their shoot. This was a good way to get everyone introduced to the space and make it their own.
Photos 1-4: Anthony Delia (@anthonydelia)
Photos 5-8: Kaela Leone (@kaela_leone)
Photos 9-10: Maya Sherwood (@mayasherwoodphotography )
Photos 11-15: Nikki Ross (@_nikkiross)
Photo 16: Twayne Savio Pereira (@twayner_)
Directors Challenge
This was one of our most popular challenges in which the photographers are told to direct each other with the added barrier of not allowing the director to see the images.
Photos 1-2: Nikki Ross (@_nikkiross)
Photos 3-6: Anthony Delia (@anthonydelia)
Photos 7-10: Kaela Leone (@kaela_leone)
Photos 11-12: Maya Sherwood (@mayasherwoodphotography )
Photos 13-14: Twayne Savio Pereira (@twayner_)
Studio Prop/Tool Challenge
This one really showed us the team’s creativity. Each photographer was given a random assortment of tools to choose from and use in any way they could. Each contestant got only one object: A Mirror, Cloths, a Tripod, a Reflector or a Lens filter. We were stunned with what the team pulled off, creating long exposures, dramatic movements and creative portraits in every way possible. Teaching us that sometimes, the best way to work is to work with what you got.
Photos 1-2: Maya Sherwood (@mayasherwoodphotography )
Photos 3-4: Kaela Leone (@kaela_leone)
Photos 5-6: Anthony Delia (@anthonydelia)
Photo 7: Twayne Savio Pereira (@twayner_)
Photos 8-9: Nikki Ross (@_nikkiross)
Story Teller Challenge
This was a particular new challenge that Drew conceptualized when thinking of ways to challenge the model. We had told the guests a “mood” or “vibe” they must get the model to convey without telling her the specific word. The only way to achieve this mood was for the photographer’s to tell a story to put Amanda in a place in her head and pose according to the photographer’s story. These stories were interesting to say the least and really put the model in the desired mood the photographer was going for. And, of course, we played music corresponding to the mood that would also act as a hint.
Photos 1-2: Anthony Delia (@anthonydelia)
Photos 3-4: Kaela Leone (@kaela_leone)
Photo 5: Maya Sherwood (@mayasherwoodphotography )
Photos 6-7: Nikki Ross (@_nikkiross)
Photo 8: Twayne Savio Pereira (@twayner_)
Disposable Camera Challenge
We wanted to add a film component to this challenge. Seeing as most of the contestants haven’t shot with a disposable before, made this particular one interesting.
About the Team:
Director:
Andrew Obtinalla: @andrewobtinalla
Photographers:
Anthony: @anthonydelia
A travelled landscape photographer turned full time commercial/fashion photographer.
Twayne: @twayner_
A Neuroscientist turned videographer, honing his photography skills and bringing flash to the challenge to further challenge himself.
Maya: @mayasherwoodphotography
A past host of the Mint Room Challenge and photographer. Maya wanted to feel what it felt like on the other side. Also, hated the film challenge.
Nikki: @_nikkiross
A young aspiring photographer, in school studying and currently working in the West side.
Kaela: @kaela_leone
New to photography, loves the art and is the owner of Common People Shop on Roncy. Kaela has an incredible eye and took full advantage of an event like this to learn from people in the industry.
Makeup Artist:
Olivia McCullough: @misslivmakeup
Young bridal makeup artist working full time from a young age. Liv he loves bridal but wants to expand her arsenal of artistry with editorial and fashion.
Stylist:
Gelareh Kamazani: @gkamazani
Makeup artist, stylist and aspiring production manager. Always plans and preps styling, but with short notice took on the challenge and had done nothing like this before. There were so many looks in so little time, she found it amazing she had cohesive styling across the board given only a few days to put things together.
Model:
Amanda Morch: @amandamorch
Video Team:
Artur Zaitsev: @arturzaitsev.dp
Mazai: @mazai.photo
Artur and Mazai, the dream team that shoots most things at Mint Room. They were phenomenal and also got to experience the Preto Loft for the first time.
