Calvin Walker
Sometimes I get to do special projects for work and sometimes I’m really pleased with the outcome. One of those special projects allowed me to pick up my camera and photograph a subject. That subject is rising star, Gabriel Kane. If you do a simple Bing search (sorry, Google. You’ve fallen out of favor with me), you’ll quickly learn that he’s the son of actor Daniel Day-Lewis and you’ll quickly move past that. Why?
Gabriel Kane is a model. A bonafide model. Signed to IMG here in New York City, London and Paris? Check! Being featured on Models.com’s The Hot List? Check! Starring in a Calvin Klein ad campaign and strong editorial work (ie: LOVE, CR Fashion Book, British Vogue, Self Service, etc.)? Check! If you’ve been paying attention on social media, you’ll know that he’s also snagged a spot in an upcoming Dolce & Gabbana campaign.
Yes, he is a bonafide model.
He’s also a talented singer/songwriter which is how we came to meet. After I heard his most recent single, “True,” I discovered that a colleague/friend knew his manager quite well and, with his help, was able to confirm an afternoon video shoot at Pier 59 Studios with Gabe (or GK) before he jetted off to Paris (side note: he speaks fluent French). Our shoot consisted of a rapid-fire interview and an acoustic performance of “True” but I wanted to make sure I grabbed a few stills to accompany the video content. It was somewhat funny because I was told he hadn’t yet been to the Piers for work but I assured his manager that he’d be back in no time thanks in part to his exploding modeling career.
So, Gabe grabbed his guitar, sat on a stool out in the middle of a stark, white cyc and did his thing…both as a singer and a model. I had no idea what to expect of the photos because I was too busy trying to capture things in the moment to overanalyze as I went along. However, I have to admit I’m pretty pleased with what I was able to capture. I’ve never taken any photography lessons but I was able to pick up a few tricks (mainly a huge confidence in simply holding a camera) from years of working at Pier 59. It’s not every day that I get to casually photograph one of fashion’s “It” boys but I totes kept my composure and walked away with at least one photo that will be framed.
Watch this super quick video I put together of my afternoon with Gabriel Kane and be on your merry way.
