The other day I stepped into a support role for the homie Dominique Oliveto, handling lighting and digital tech. What I love about these moments is how they shift your perspective as a photographer. When you’re not the one holding the camera, you get the chance to step back and see details and other moments the photographer might miss. Sometimes it’s as simple as adjusting a light's angle, other times it’s encouraging a model to refine a pose. With the right collaborator, you can offer that feedback confidently, and the shoot becomes stronger because of it for all parties involved.


I’ve had the pleasure of assisting Dom on a wide range of projects, from large-scale productions like 7PM in BK with Carmelo Anthony & company, branded campaign shoots with individuals like Kylie Kelce, to our most recent photo shoot with an dope ball player for one of Dom's own projects. Each experience has reinforced how collaboration looks different depending on the production, but the principle is the same: every role matters.

Photographs below by: DOMINIQUE OLIVETO

A series of hip hop artist profile images against a gray background wearing baseball caps.
Three black and white portrait images showing a person in casual attire against neutral backgrounds.
NBA veteran wearing a navy blue button-up shirt poses against gray background with career achievements listed.
Basketball player in red jersey poses with basketball in series of promotional sports photos for PG County.
Someone wearing sunglasses and tan jacket sits in leather chair holding a cigar with music album text overlay.
A woman relaxes in a grey armchair wearing casual denim and white sneakers with built-in shelving in the background.

That lesson goes back to when I first got into studio photography. With zero experience, I found an opportunity on Craigslist (back when that was the place to look). I met Eric Von Lockhart, a photographer deeply respected, who took me on as an assistant. At the time, in-studio flash photography and programs like Capture One were completely foreign to me. Eric gave me access to the program, told me to learn it, and trusted me to show up ready on our first shoot. That first experience opened the door to assisting on what felt like hundreds of photo shoots in such a short amount of time.


Outside of assisting Eric, I was allowed time to experiment and utilize the photo studio during its downtime. Those moments gave me space to practice what I had learned on set and begin shaping my own voice and style. While assisting, I met so many incredible makeup artists, hair stylists, and more. Many of them became friends and collaborators to this day. Some notable projects were born out of that studio that I’m still so proud of. Because that space was my creative hub, I was able to network and connect with photographers like Lindsay Adler, who eventually rented the studio. As a young photographer, watching so many talented creatives work up close was invaluable. Looking back, it’s one of the main reasons why I now host free monthly workshops and created Frame of Mind. I want others to have the same unfiltered access to studio photography and mentorship that I did.


Photos found from old social media post of times either assisting or creating on set in Chelsea studio between 2012-2015:

Student works on laptop in classroom with colorful striped wall decor visible in background.
Person in turquoise tank top making expressive gestures in photo series.
Black and white portrait of person wearing dark sweater with graphic design standing against plain background.
Behind-the-scenes studio photography setup showing lighting equipment, diffusion fabric, and camera gear in black and white.
Black and white portrait of someone wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants posing against a plain background.
Dramatic beauty portrait through black fishnet veil showing bright red lipstick and smoky eye makeup.
Tweet showing a clothing rack with dresses and a collection of colorful high heel shoes arranged below.
Fashion model wearing black outfit with snakeskin print jacket poses dramatically against dark background.
Person wearing glasses takes several selfies in gray t-shirt showing different poses and expressions.
Behind the scenes photo shoot setup showing photographer and studio lighting equipment in modern space.
A collage of black and white portrait photographs showing different natural curly and straight hairstyles.
Professional photography studio setup with lights, reflectors and equipment arranged on stands against a white backdrop.
A person wearing khaki pants and a red shirt sits casually in a modern red armchair on a white background.
Behind the scenes photo shoot setup with photography equipment and lighting in a white studio.
A woman in a furry white jacket poses expressively in a series of candid shots indoors.
Fitness photoshoot setup showing model in black workout gear with pink boxing gloves against white backdrop.
Photographer wearing a white mask holds camera equipment during a studio shoot.
A collection of four salon styling photos showing hair being styled with various styling tools and products.
Stylist working on adjusting a mannequin's hair in black and white photography.

Fast forward to now, and I still find myself cycling through different hats on set, digital tech, lighting, PA, BTS video, you name it, I've probably done it. Each role gives me a new angle on how productions run. And the more you see it from every side, the better you become when it’s your turn to lead. At the end of the day, a smooth shoot doesn’t happen because of one person, it happens because every role, big or small, is working together to bring the vision to life.