Photography Love Letters : Nostalgia Aesthetic In Studio
Between 2017 and 2024, pop culture experienced a massive "return to the 90s." Retail giants like Zumiez, PacSun, Tillys, Vans, and Forever 21 heavily revived this vintage look in their marketing campaigns.
Today, this aesthetic remains a timeless, highly sought-after style. It spans across musical genres—from modern pop icons like Olivia Rodrigo, Gabriela Bee, and Sabrina Carpenter, to heavy-hitting rap and rock acts like (uicideBoy) and Knocked Loose.
"Perfect" Imperfections
In the digital age, music and visual artists continue to chase the tangible textures of the past. Elements that were once considered technical errors or flaws are now highly desired design choices, including:
- Analog media vibes like VHS distortion, cassette tapes, and vinyl record players.
- Authentic textures like heavy 35mm film grain and classic film stock.
- Grungy details like ripped, torn, and distressed edges.
What used to be a mistake is now the foundation of an iconic, nostalgic style.
Behind the Scenes
Leiya (15), her mom, and I worked together to create this love letter to That ‘70s Show and the 90s grunge alternative aesthetic.
I sent Leiya and her mom several images I found on Pinterest for the general concept, and proposed a 2 hour studio session with white background.
Leiya did her own hair and makeup, as well as provided two different outfits/looks from her own closet.
We did this shoot at my personal home studio and creative space in Portland, Oregon.
I used a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with 24-70mm lens.
The lighting was a ProFoto B2 lighting kit, on a Matthews light stand, with 7 foot umbrella reflector and diffusion.
- Camera & Lens: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV paired with a versatile 24-70mm lens.
- Lighting Kit: Profoto B2 lighting system.
- Modifiers & Support: A massive 7-foot umbrella reflector with diffusion, mounted securely on a Matthews light stand.
- Background : Savage Super White background.
More child and teen model photography inspired by music, tv, and film can be found in my portfolio series NextGenAesthetics.
Leiya Locke x Commercial Fine Art Studio Session White Background
Featured : Leiya L (15).
Special Thanks : Jeanette (Leiya’s mom was present the entire shoot).
Camera : Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
Lens : 24-70mm.
Lighting : ProFoto OCF.
Location : PNW, USA.
Links : https://linktr.ee/spartipilo.
Contact : spllc.gecko056@passinbox.com.
© Stephan Partipilo LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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#studiophotoshoot #studiophotography #studioheadshot #photoshoot #pnwphotographer #pnwvibes #teenmodel #teenphotographer #teenmodels #teenmodeling #teenstyle #teenfashion #seniorphotos #kidscasting #seniorpictures #seniorpics #seniorphotographer #seniorportraits #seniorsunday #seniorsession
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{ 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 }
_ [ 𝔣𝔞𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔬𝔫 ] _
❌ a e s t h e t i c _ ❌
CREDITS
Leiya and I did almost 20 photoshoots together before she and her family moved to Texas. Thank you so much to Leiya and her family for the wonderful collaborative experiences!
Stephan Partipilo is a Pacific Northwest-based independent fine art photographer specializing in both creative portraiture & expressive model photography. He has collaborated with child models, parents, and agencies since 2015.
His background includes offering services for high school seniors, families, dancers, and weddings. While his portfolio spans traditional portraits, his primary artistic focus is model photography.
He’s best known for his work featuring paid models of all ages and all experience levels, Stephan creates evocative, stylized portraits that also include artistic feet photography. Some of his images have been published in various select magazines worldwide including Hollyway Magazine, La Belle Kidz & Teen Fashion Magazine, Teen Cruze Magazine, and Vigour Fashion & Beauty Magazine.
Every collaboration begins with a pre-shoot meeting consultation. Stephan is committed to community, excellence, and safety. He desires to create a fun, secure, and collaborative experience for everyone involved. A parent or legal guardian is required to be present at all times for all sessions featuring minors.
Above all, he approaches each project with clear artistic intent, unwavering professional standards, and a deep respect for both the talent and the creative arts.
𝙻𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜 - https://linktr.ee/spartipilo
𝙱𝚕𝚘𝚐 - https://www.stephanpartipilo.com/blog
𝚃𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚜 - https://www.stephanpartipilo.com/testimonials-1
𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚘 + 𝙵𝙰𝚀 - https://www.stephanpartipilo.net/About_ep_7.html
𝙻𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚕 | 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝 | 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚛 - https://www.stephanpartipilo.net/Legal_ep_42.html
Textures Used In Blog Slides : Pexels(dot)com.
“A piece of paper with a grid pattern on it” - Beyzanur K. - https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-piece-of-paper-with-a-grid-pattern-on-it-28380105/
“Torn paper with uneven edges on white background” - Mathias Reding - https://www.pexels.com/photo/torn-paper-with-uneven-edges-on-white-background-6672297/
"Film Texture - Grain Explosion" - stephanepellennec - https://www.deviantart.com/stephanepellennec/art/Film-texture-grain-explosion-194364262
"Free Large Abstract Dark Dusty Grunge Texture" - storeybooks - https://www.deviantart.com/storeybooks/art/FREE-Large-Abstract-Dark-Dusty-Grunge-Texture-805643518
Next Gen Aesthetics by Stephan Partipilo is a portfolio series of child and teen clothing inspired by fashion, music, tv, and film