Qofi Quainoo

SHADOWCORP FW26 Designer: @shogunluke1 Photographer: @frofi Styling: @shogunluke1 @mark.m24 Talent: @Solongolevin @Kaloveliease @wargielaa Production: @qobi_quainoo

I’m incredibly grateful to have my older brother, Qobi, in my life. He has been supporting and uplifting me since high school, whether that meant taking my photos or assisting me on different shoots as I continued to develop my creative. Having an older brother who works in the film industry is truly a privilege, and it’s something I never take for granted. For this particular shoot, Qobi, along with Malik, helped me bring my ideas to life while I experimented with some new lighting equipment. Living in New York City provides endless opportunities and locations to shoot, constantly inspiring me to try new concepts and techniques, so I wanted to invest in a powerful lighting setup that could create strong images even when natural sunlight isn’t available as an additional light source. Recommended byCarter McKinney @itscartermckinney , I decided to purchase the AD400 Pro II, a strobe light that offers the power and versatility I was looking for. This was a 15 minute shoot where Qobi operated my Sony A7R and the Godox strobe in each hand, which was incredible to watch. (Next time, I’ll bring the light stand, lol.) From the jump, I noticed that I really liked the surface area the light covered. I could illuminate an entire scene if needed or highlight specific elements on a subject. The shadows cast by the strobe were also much softer and less harsh; they didn’t overpower the overall composition of the shot. Even more exciting is realizing that, with more hands on deck, we could bounce additional light with reflectors to shape it more precisely on individuals. On top of that, I now have a new 105 cm softbox, which can be modified to work as a beauty dish, lantern, or umbrella, and even comes with a grid attachment. The end goal is to build a consistent crew of gaffers, stylists, makeup artists, retouchers, and other collaborators to get closer to the polished looks produced by photographers who inspire me. Having officially been living in NYC for five months, I’m grateful for how good this city has been to me.

Shadows Corp Snow Shoot 2: The Mantra for this shoot was to be more concise. The crew today was @zappa_nguyen @shogunluke1 @mark.m24 @krismaddn This shoot was a true learning day for us. We audibled the beginning of the shoot and met down the street at a coffee shop in midtown. There was some confusion as to the address of said coffee shop. Innocent but something to note for our next shoot. After arriving at the shoot, Mark and I decided to get some more product shots of the crash boot before we started shooting. In hindsight, Mark and I decided that we should’ve gotten our product shots done earlier while we were waiting for the rest of the crew to more effectively use our time. Gloves, gloves, gloves, I had to learn this the hard way. No gloves on a sub freezing day at Pier 76. I learned that lesson the hard way. I’m so comfortable shooting with Moh by my side. This shoot, he couldn’t make. This inspired the thought thought that we can and actively are ironing out our systems so that our specific standers can be upheld regardless of who we work/collaborate with. We had a slightly new crew for this shoot. A crew of straight creatives. Starting off with the talented Zappa H. Nguyen in front of the lens. Behind the lens, we had Luke, Mark, and Kris. Dive deep into everyone’s creative expertise through and give em a follow if you feel inclined. Reflections:     •    Gloves are essential but I need gloves that allow me access to my camera as well.     •    Things change during the day of the shoot and we adapt.     •    Reflectors should always be present.     •    Realizing that we need a bigger crew for these shoots. We need more hands for the reflectors, light stands, strobe, and speed light.     •    Mistakes happen but we lost a lot of sunlight that was our secondary light light source. We used what we had which was more of a direct lighting situation.     •    It inspired getting a more powerful light source in the future, the ad400 pro ii and a 105 cm softbox to accopany it. A lot of equipment, crew, etc is taken into consideration on what goes into a really good image. I know the next direction to move in for our next shoot.

Shadow Corp Discovery Shoot This session was a critical test of our long-term team chemistry. We met outside an agreed upon recording studio to utilize the architecture as our backdrop, featuring nyczi as our model. The production was a collective effort. Moh handled the lighting and served as a reliable second hand, while Luke designed every piece featured and shot all of the behind-the-scenes footage. Mark took charge of the styling and contributed significantly to the development of our shot lists. Key Takeaways: • Preparation: Detailed creative briefs and shot lists kept us organized as we managed the fading sunlight. • Precision: The goal for next time is to be even more “dialed,” focusing on being concise with the number of frames taken. • Crew Welfare: On a lighter note, I realized a hungry crew is a real factor. It definitely won’t hurt to bring some snacks along to keep the energy up next time. Luke captured extensive BTS footage during this session, and I’ve realized I need to use this footage more when sharing my process. Expect to see much more of that behind-the-scenes perspective in my upcoming content as I pull back the curtain on how we work.

DONT CRASH • CRASH BOOT

arkyvs* LEMON RHINESTONE Hoodie 🍋 🏴‍☠️🍜 also, black essential tee dropping black friday, nov. 28th

arkyvs* LEMON RHINESTONE Hoodie 🍋 🏴‍☠️🤑💵

arkyvs* LEMON RHINESTONE Hoodie 🍋 🏴‍☠️

The Arkyvs STAR Thermal, made from 100% heavyweight waffle cotton, sits on the model with a slightly oversized, boxy fit. Light and shadow play across the thermal’s surface, accentuating the dialogue between her deep complexion and the soft whiteness of the studio. She moves with ease, running her hands through her hair, shifting her posture, and meeting the camera with quiet control, wearing the piece with intention. Around her, the studio feels alive with curated music playing and lights being adjusted, teams moving quickly between looks and setups. Natural light streaming from the studio entrance creates a moody, high-contrast atmosphere that highlights both the texture of the garment and the model’s presence. Model: @hass.yy Focal Length: 42mm Shutter Speed: 1/160 Aperture: f/ 4.0

arkyvs* STAR Jersey - The grey star jersey paired with the star thermal

arkyvs* STAR Jersey - The grey star jersey paired with the star and shadow thermals

Today I turn 26. I feel grateful for this new chapter of my life and closer than ever to my family and friends. I also feel a renewed energy for my creativity. Seeing this historic city through the lens of the African diaspora was a privilege. Seeing history through the lens of the hunted left me more informed and hopeful for a healing and prosperous diaspora community. All of this film was shot on disposable cameras. Sometimes it’s enough to use any camera on hand. I am thankful for @alana.nd and @butteristhename .Exploring Lisbon while flickin up with y’all brought me joy.🎥