Nakoa, a stylish international clothing brand from Finland, came to Santa Cruz, Portugal, for a spring-summer collection shoot. The idea brought together colorful clothes, local architecture, and the ocean, with a mix of fashion images and natural expressions. I’m now based in Miami, and I’m happy to share this earlier project and the decisions behind the photographs. Nakoa is one of my regular clients. Over three years, we’ve created around ten photoshoots together.
The brand asked us to create photographs for its spring-summer clothing collection. For this project, we organized the work from the visual idea, model, and location through to the final retouched photographs. That preparation helped connect the practical needs of the collection with the feeling the client wanted in the images.
The brief for the collection
The brief included 20 looks, one model, and bright, colorful photographs. The client wanted a recognizably Portuguese setting that combined local architecture with the beauty of an ocean beach. We needed the clothing to remain the main subject while letting the place and the model’s expression support the story.
Choosing the model
During my years in Portugal, I built a personal list of models I’d enjoyed working with. For this project, the client received recommendations with information and examples from the models’ portfolios. That made it easier to choose someone who suited the collection and the brand’s style.
Combining fashion and a natural summer mood
The client wanted sunny, bright, colorful photographs to suit the fabrics and the feeling of a summer coast. I also loved the idea of combining more composed fashion images with smiles and natural movement. The clothes, expressions, and backgrounds could all support the same story.
For me, the product does not exist separately from everything around it in a photograph. The model, clothing, accessories, emotion, and location shape the way an image feels. I want the person in the picture to look present, even when the composition is carefully planned. A believable moment can help the viewer understand the world of a collection without taking attention away from the clothes.
Showing the garments clearly
Here you can see each dress from different angles: front and back, small details, and the texture of the fabric. Each photograph also has its own emotion and mood. At the client’s request, most of the images were vertical, with a few horizontal photographs for website banners.
The colorful dresses and the Portuguese setting needed to work together. The dress was always the main element, but the local architecture and landscape were part of why the client had chosen Portugal. I wanted the place to be visible without taking attention away from the clothes.
For the more fashion-focused photographs, we worked with the model’s expression, pose, and energy, together with composition and color. These frames gave the series a more deliberate visual rhythm. They sit alongside the practical views of the garments, so the collection can be seen both clearly and expressively.
Of course, a smile can change the feeling of a photograph immediately! The client wanted joyful emotions in some of the looks, so I made room for those moments to suit the clothes.
The final part of the shoot on the beach
We finished the project on the beach in Santa Cruz, using the soft, golden light. Together with the client, we chose dark dresses and pieces with a distinctive Nakoa pattern for this part of the series. The change of light and setting gave us another feeling while keeping the photographs connected to the rest of the collection.
Planning a collection shoot in Miami
The useful lesson from this project is to give each photograph a purpose. Some images show the fit and fabric; others bring movement and personality into the collection. For a new brand shoot in Miami, I’d discuss that mix with you alongside the location, team, and formats you need.
If you are deciding between a natural everyday feeling and a stronger fashion direction, my article on lifestyle and fashion photography explains how I combine them. You can also explore my brand photography to see more of my work.
I hope this look behind the photographs helps you think about your own collection. If you would like to share an idea or discuss a new project, tell me about your brand and the images you need. I would be happy to hear from you. Let’s create your beautiful fashion story together!💛
Author: Julia Yatel
