ARNALDO ANAYA-LUCCADiary of a photographer

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Arnaldo’s first published photographThe 1995 Premier Ralph Lauren Purple Label Campaign starring Tyson Beckford

La luz interior de

ARNALDOANAYA-LUCCA

Endeavoring to reminisce about the authentic art of photography composition, photographer Arnaldo Anaya Lucca possesses a distinctive signature of sophistication and sovereignty. His uniqueness originates from his Puerto Rican ‘luz interior’ and natural ‘joie de vivre’.

The creation of an image requires exceptional factors and chemistry between its collaborators. In quest of elevating photography to an intimate experience merging the most exquisite location, talents and luxurious brands, one light must travel the memory of our heart as pure emotion stark separated from the control logic.

Arnaldo’s images cultivate a souvenir of British Royalty superbly bonding refinement and elegance filling minds and souls with anything else. By fortuitous circumstances or destiny our paths crossed again, years went by since my student/internship position and here we are superbly achieving the expression of an ephemeral moment, now framed in eternity.

PHOTOGRAPHY I PORTRAIT

TEXT BY SANDRA BENBARUK

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SB - You are originally from Puerto Rico, worked and lived in DC, what made you decide to go and stay in New york? AA - I lived in DC for one year right after college. I was fired from my first job there as an accountant for the IRS Credit Union, which was a small bank for IRS employers. My boss called me in and told me she was doing me a huge favor, firing me since she knew that I had another calling: Fashion! She was right and I still thank her every day.

SB - Did you start your career as a photographer by instinct, or this is something that gradually grew into you?AA - I moved to New York on a whim after a holiday in London, and got a job at The Ralph Lauren Mansion on 72nd and Madison as a salesman.I was promoted to Ralph’s Men’s design studio by Mr.Lauren himself after four and a half years in the store.That’s where I started taking photos. I started off photographing Ralph’s son Andrew, and then models I worked with in design. Ralph told me I had an amazing eye, one that I was born with, and he commissioned me to shoot Tyson Beckford for the launch of Ralph Lauren Purple Label. This was my first published photograph which ran in GQ in 1995.

SB - What is the first photo you’ve taken?AA - The 1995 Premier Ralph Lauren Purple Label Campaign starring Tyson Beckford, shot with a Pentax 6x7 medium format.

SB - Who were your early influences?AA - I was influenced by Helmut Newton’s masculine photographs of women, Peter Lindberg’s iconic black and white photographs, and the elegance and beauty of Steven Meisel’s work.

SB - Favorites Divas? Movies?AA - Although I don’t really consider them divas, I absolutely adore Lauren Bacall’s grace and Katherine Hepburn’s unique and exotic beauty!

SB - Do you ever dare to step out of your comfort zone to be creative?AA - It’s my passion to evolve and create images that reflect today’s young British brands. My favorite models are from the UK!

SB - Do you see the struggle of challenging norms in an industry focusing more and more into marketing and production of commercial images?AA - Not at all, as it’s those commercial outlets that allows us to push our creativity into our personal work.

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Conor McLain at Soul Artist Management and Edythe Hughes at Ford Models for Dsection Magazine “King and Things” issue.

#EDITORIAL

―Simply beautiful imagery without effort―Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca

How would you define your personal photography aesthetic?Sandra Benbaruk

“It’s my passion to evolve and create images that reflect today’s

young British brands”—Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca—

Fashion editorial for Odda Magazine starring

Lyoka Tyagnereva and Joe Collier

Richie Cotterell for the Summer 2014 Polo Ralph Lauren Wimbeldon campaign

SB - How would you define your personal photography aesthetic? AA - Simply beautiful imagery without effort.

SB - How do you feel about altering reality by adjusting images in post-production? AA - If I could, I would only publish un-retouched imagery. I want the subject to look as natural as possible. I recently shot a few male editorials that were published with no post production.

SB - What would be the ultimate dream photography job after accomplishing pretty much everything now? AA - Too many to mention! I feel everyday on set is a gift for me and I will never feel truly accomplished, as I’m really still a work in progress.

SB - What is the most enjoyable part working with an iconic designer such as Monsieur Ralph Lauren? AA - Really simple! Nothing is more rewarding than working with FAMILY creating beautiful and timeless imagery! It’s my biggest honor and nothing will ever come close!

SB - I’ve met you when I was interning at your photo agency and back then you were already very successful. I kept in my memory the image of a smiling, positive and vibrant person. Today after all those years, you are still the same humble, enthusiastic and passionate man. What keeps you so grounded?AA - It’s very humbling working with such talented and creative people! How lucky we are to do this for a living? Very humbling indeed!

“ Nothing is more rewarding than working with

family creating beautiful and

timeless imagery”—Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca—

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#ADVERTISING

Models: Emilio Flores, Lance Raftery, Leo Eller, Ryan Mertz, Emme Metry, Zack Hartwanger, Tim Ryan, Charles Scheerer and Richie Cotterell. Shot at the Tennis Hall of Fame in New Port, Rhode Island.

The Summer 2014 Polo Ralph Lauren Wimbeldon campaign

Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca photographed by Norman Nelson

What inspires me is the the Human Body

in all it’s magIc and glory! I wish I could travel back a few thousands years to

photograph meN and WomeN from the ancient

greek empIre!

#PERSONAL

SB - Sexuality plays a major role in your work. What do you love about capturing a woman? a man? Who do you dream to photograph? AA - Really simple, I dream to photograph beauty and a person’s natural God given sexuality.

SB - What are the things you love doing in your own time?AA - Nothing makes me more happy than travel! I’m in Ibiza right now, one of my favorite places on Earth. Enough said!

SB - Do you picture the human body as idealized and objectifying?AA - What inspires me is the THE HUMAN BODY in all it’s magic and glory! I wish I could travel back a few thousands years to photograph men and women from the ancient Greek Empire!

SB - And to continue the tradition of all of our interviews, I must ask you this. What does love mean to you? AA - EVERYTHING!