As a fashion photographer, I am often asked about the unrealistic way that the fashion industry and magazine

editors portray female models and celebrities. Between the excellent makeup artists, hair stylists and wardrobe people working on set and a hefty dose of post-production air-brushing, it’s understandable why a lot of Americans don’t think fashion photos are ‘real’.

After being asked about this again recently, I decided to do a ‘real’ photo shoot. I called Lauren Rebecca Roth, an agency

represented model I know, and told her I wanted to do a shoot with no hair, no makeup, no wardrobe and no air-brushing. She was confused at first, but then, understanding the project, quickly hopped on board. It was going to be an unapologetically naked fashion shoot.

I secured an empty studio apartment in a building on the north side of Chicago—it seemed to fit perfectly with what we were going for; a shoot stripped of all advantageous amenities—and there we shot.

This is Lauren’s photo shoot. Real. Naked.