Monochrome moments on Europaallee—Kejia Liu makes the street her runway.
Shooting on Europaallee: Capturing Motion and Mood with Kejia Liu
When you find yourself shooting on a lively street like Zürich’s Europaallee, you’re in for a mix of challenges and creative opportunities. It’s a place that’s always alive with people, energy, and motion—perfect for a photoshoot that aims to capture that urban vibrancy. This was the backdrop for my recent session with Kejia Liu, a model who not only embraced the environment but brought her own flair to the shoot, along with her photogenic dog.
Harnessing the Hustle of Europaallee
Europaallee isn’t just another street—it’s a living, breathing entity, bustling with people and full of energy. On that day, the crowd was thick, and the atmosphere was electric. Rather than shying away from the chaos, we decided to embrace it. Walking slowly down the Allee, Kejia moved with ease, navigating through the throngs of people as if she owned the street. This wasn’t about avoiding the crowd; it was about making them part of the story. Each step was an opportunity to capture the real essence of street life, with Kejia and her dog effortlessly standing out against the backdrop of Zürich’s urban hustle.
Using the Environment as Props
In a location like Europaallee, you don’t need a studio full of props. The street itself provides everything you need. Benches became platforms for striking poses, and lamp poles turned into frames that added depth to the compositions. Kejia’s dog wasn’t just an accessory but a co-star, performing like a pro, and adding a playful yet sophisticated element to the shots. The key was to keep moving, using every part of the street as a new set. This constant motion kept the shoot dynamic, with each moment feeling spontaneous and fresh.
On-the-Go Lighting with the Godox AD100Pro
One of the most exciting aspects of this shoot was the chance to test out the Godox AD100Pro. Given the fast-paced nature of the shoot and the desire to achieve a paparazzi-like feel, I opted to handhold the flash head. This allowed me to move quickly and adjust the lighting on the fly, ensuring that Kejia was always perfectly lit, no matter where we were on the street. The flexibility of the AD100Pro was impressive—it provided just the right amount of light to create sharp, striking images without overwhelming the natural ambiance of the street.
Crafting the Final Image with Capture One Pro
After the shoot, it was time to bring the images to life in post-production. For this, I turned to Capture One Pro, a tool that’s become indispensable in my workflow. To match the gritty, real-world feel of the shoot, I applied a black-and-white LUT, which added a timeless, classic touch to the images. The contrast between the lively setting and the monochrome finish created a powerful visual narrative—one that felt both raw and refined.
