Published Work: ELLE Beauty Editorial
This series, 'Becoming Earth,' was featured in ELLE India. It explores a primal metamorphosis, using natural elements to challenge traditional beauty standards.
A powerful three-quarter shot against a stark black background, highlighting the intricate natural details in the makeup and hair. The model wears vines that creep up her neck and a miniature tree ear cuff, blending fashion with the earth.
A detailed close-up focusing on the eye makeup, which features textured green moss and delicate brown roots. This macro shot reveals the artistry and conceptual depth of the 'Becoming Earth' theme for ELLE magazine.
A profile view showcasing the seamless integration of green vines into the model's hair and across her body. The dramatic side lighting against a black background emphasizes the organic textures and sculptural quality of the styling.
An intimate close-up on the model's shoulder and collarbone, with green felt vines appearing to grow over her skin. This shot emphasizes the tactile, organic nature of the editorial's concept for ELLE India.
An extreme close-up on the model's eye, showcasing the detailed application of green moss eyeshadow and delicate root-like structures. This image provides a focused look at the intricate makeup artistry central to the editorial.
About this collection
Achieving the tactile quality seen in this editorial required intense collaboration between the art director, the makeup artist, and myself. For 'Becoming Earth,' we had to source and physically apply natural elements like moss and vines to the skin, ensuring they held their organic texture under the high-contrast strobe lighting needed for print media.
Shooting for print, particularly for publications like ELLE India, demands a different level of technical rigour compared to digital-only social content. The focus shifts to colour accuracy, the structural integrity of the set, and the ability to capture details that translate well on a printed page.
The Conceptual Process
My work often centres on pushing boundaries. Whether it is incorporating magazine cutouts to comment on media consumption or using roots to explore human metamorphosis, I am interested in how fashion imagery shapes self-perception. I treat every project as a narrative.
Technical Approach
- Collaboration: I work with a squad of stylists, HMUAs, and art directors. My role is to lead the visual direction while allowing space for the team to contribute their craft.
- Lighting: For this editorial, we used a dark, high-contrast setup to make the green tones of the moss and vines pop against the black background.
- Post-Processing: Retouching for editorial work requires a balance between skin texture preservation and the artistic colour grading that defines my style. I avoid heavy manipulation in favour of mood-focused processing.
Working Together
I am currently taking on editorial projects and conceptual brand campaigns in Mumbai and Kochi. If you have a narrative in mind that requires a deliberate, art-focused photographic approach, let us discuss how to execute it.
Malavika Jayaram
I am Malavika. My photography bridges the gap between fashion and fine art, focusing on narrative-driven images that say something visceral. I do not just capture outfits; I build worlds, whether for high-fashion editorials or conceptual brand campaigns.
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