Natalie by Annie...

Natalie Portman, this time by Annie Leibowitz.

I love the feeling here that Annie has captured 'a moment'. The green cast, the crinkled white blouse, Natalie's porcelain skin with red lips, makes it feel like a Pre-Raphaelite painting. Also love how she is emerging from the blackness of the camellia tree behind her, like it could engulf her. Brilliant.

Film Noir by Leibowitz...

I searched and searched for my favourite all time Annie Leibowitz shot, all to no avail. It is of Tom Cruise. I know. But it is the most amazing atmospheric photo of him walking in heavy rain, the kind that slants like a curtain billowing in the wind. The kind from old movies. He wears a dark blue suit with the collar up, his body is slouched but his eyes, his eyes are focused and piercing at the lens. And it is infused with green light that is in so many of Annie's shots.

I love that photo. It makes me so mad that I know that the large format slide is sitting in a photo agency in Sydney, and has been for so many years, and no one has published it here. If anyone owns the copy of Vanity Fair that appeared in the States, let me know!

So instead, here is her series of her photographs called 'Film Noir' featuring some of the biggest celebs in Hollywood. I also have a soft spot for these: the light, the sets, the drama. Brilliant.

Scarlett Johansson by Giles Bensimon...

The stunning Scarlett Johansson, again in US ELLE, and photographed by Giles Bensimon.

Celebrity Inspiration...

I have been planning sections for the birdmotel Spring Magazine this weekend, and with the weather being so miserable, I turned to one of my all time favourite celebrity fashion shoots for happy inspiration. The shoot I am refering to appeared in the December 2004 issue of US Elle, and featured the divine Natalie Portman.

Now, singling this out as one of my favourite celebrity shoots of all time is a big call for me because my mind holds many in high esteem. Namely because I spent some years working at Celebrity Photo Agency, where I was exposed to and placed the work of the best portrait [celebrity] photographers in the world, like Annie Leibowitz and Greg Gorman. Watching their work roll in each month was always a joy, and there was a lot to love.

This story in ELLE, was photographed by the talented Giles Bensimon. It is the saturated colour of the location, the beachy clothing and in particular the amazing jewellery that drips around Natalie's neck in every frame, that still, five years on, I just adore.

This shoot makes me happy because Natalie is such a natural beauty and well, because truth be known and I will admit it even though it is not fashionable...I love clear bright colour. The type of colour that speaks of tropical beaches, exotic flowers and fruity cocktails.

I will post more celebrity pics that inspire me this week...stay tuned.