The photographer Sophie Elgort takes photography to the next level with a the debut of new series on PBS ALL Arts titled Portrait Mode with Sophie Elgort. In the four-episode series, Sophie takes viewers on set and invites them as she photographs her dream subjects which include EGOT winner Rita Moreno, ABT principal dancer Skylar Brandt, Grammy winner Nile Rodgers and her father, the legendary fashion photographer Arthur Elgort.
The series shows us how Sophie she creates rapport with her subjects and takes us through her creative process. At the end of each session, she then turns the camera and asks her subjects to take capture her portrait, in a sort of meta role reversal.
Below, I speak with Sophie about this new series.
How did this project come about?
The inspiration to create the show stemmed from a series I started over the pandemic on IGTV, an instagram series where I’d interview my dad, photographer Arthur Elgort, about a different photograph each week and he would tell the story behind it. I called it Behind the Lens with Arthur Elgort. I pitched the show idea to Diane Masciale at WNET and while they didn’t take it, she gave me valuable feedback. We kept in touch and eventually came up with a different idea together with Joe Harrell at the network. Now four years later, we are excited to premiere Portrait Mode with Sophie Elgort.
The concept of our show really stems out of the conversations I’m already having on a lot of my photoshoots. My favorite part of photography is getting to know the subject through the photoshoot process, not only by what they say during our conversations throughout, but also by seeing them in action. We wanted to create this show to offer a window into this process and offer viewers the chance to get to know these remarkable artists in a unique way.
How did you choose the subjects? Was it a conscious decision to focus on creatives/artists for this series?
Absolutely, we wanted the series to be all about different artists across genres. Then the network and I separately put together our dream lists and these were people that were on both lists. People we deeply admire. And of course I had to do an episode with my dad. He was the inspiration I became a photographer myself and also the reason I had the idea to do a show.
How was it combining both film and photography? What was most challenging about it? What did you enjoy the most?
It was fun actually, probably because of the wonderful producers from the All Arts team. Anna Campbell and Jake King are the series producers. I am so used to being on photoshoots and interacting with the people I’m photographing that that part felt really natural. So then I just had to do the same thing, but with video cameras recording the process. It was a collaborative effort all around, which was really enjoyable.
Where was the series filmed? What was the process like? Is it one day per subject?
The series was filmed at my photo studio in Tribeca and then also my dad’s studio in Soho for his and Nile Rodgers’s episodes. The format was decided with the producers when we were going over interview questions and ideas for the show. They came to see me shoot a couple times before we started filming so they got a feel of how I work and connect with the people I’m photographing. The idea for the subjects turning the camera on me actually came from Marina Testino during a conversation we were having over dinner before I started filming. She thought it would be interesting to turn the tables and see them as the director.
In pursuing this project and talking to these artists, what lessons have you learned that you hope to apply or have since applied to your own craft?
I have learned so much, but one thing that’s across the board is that no path is linear and to trust your instincts and keep doing what feels right for you in your journey, not necessarily what everyone else tells you you should do.
Where do you see yourself taking this series?
I want to keep making these episodes and telling these stories (our dream list of talent keeps growing).