Russell James’ photographs of the eight beautiful women Brooklyn Decker, Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanepoel, Erin Heatherton, Emanuela de Paula, Jarah Mariano, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Lindsay Ellingson, entitled “V2”, were taken on the picturesque island “Necker Island” and were combined in a book accompanying the exhibition. Camera Work will present an exclusive selection of these photographs for the first time in Europe.
Located in the Caribbean, the private island of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson served as the setting for the extraordinary photo shoot of Russell James and his team. Due to its lush vegetation, deep blue sea as well as endless white sand beaches, the island is described as paradise on earth. Thus it was the perfect setting for photographing, undressed, some of the most attractive women of the present. In dreamlike pictures, the South African model Candice Swanepoel is nestling up against a mighty tree with her body covered with leaves and sand. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Decker, who was elected »Sexiest Woman Alive« last year, is writhing in the ocean tide in the heat of the night, and Emanuela de Paula sensually and gracefully poses on a graphically balanced black and white photograph in front of the endless horizon. For wonderfully natural and private pictures, James Russell took Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom’s girlfriend, to a neighboring island.
Born in 1962, Russell James led an interesting life as a police officer of a special force unit and as a photo model before finally having his breakthrough as a photographer in New York at the age of 34. For many years now, he has been working together with the top models of the world. His participation in Heidi Klum’s TV format »Germany’s Next Top Model« also introduced him to a broad audience in Germany. In addition to his comprehensive illustrated book »Russell James« published in 2008, his new book »V2« has now been released by publisher teNeues. The book is available at Camera Work gallery.
Jan Ole Eggert
Until May 7
Camera Work
Kantstraße 149
10623 Berlin
