Shooting w/ Hollywood actress Renee Olstead!

Another photography post I’ve been looking forward to making is a shoot I did w/ Hollywood actress, singer and model, Renee Olstead. I was introduced to Renee through our mutual friend Micheline Pitt. In her mid twenties, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around an accomplished IMDb credit list dating back to 1995, especially as someone that didn’t find my own success until my 30’s. 

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Like many of the higher profile shoots on the west coast, Renee cross pollinated in to the pinup world, modeling for Pinup Girl Clothing. Once we were in touch with one another, we set a date for an early morning.

Renee’s hair was styled by Tony Medina of His Vintage Touch; an absolute hair genius and good friend. Many of my proudest shoots in LA have been collaborations with Tony. I knew this would be nothing short of outstanding, especially with a talent like Renee.

I arrived at her home in the Hollywood Hills, and until that day, I don’t think I realized what “…the Hollywood Hills” really meant. It was breath taking. I felt like I was driving up these tiny, winding roads for miles and her house was at the very top. Despite the gorgeous home, Renee was incredibly sweet and accommodating. We went over the outfits she’d pulled from Pinup Girl Clothing and What Katie Did lingerie, and we got to work.

The basement was an all wood finished bar with an incredible walk in wine cellar. The joy of shooting with a professional model or actress such as Renee Olstead is a remarkable experience, from the very first frames. It’s intimidating, and often times I find myself grappling with “imposter syndrome”. That feeling that I somehow ended up amongst these mega-talented celebrities, and at any moment, they’re going to discover me for a fraud. I got over it, though.

I fell in to my rhythm, shooting dark pinup photos in areas that most photographers would have a panic attack over, embracing shadows and utilizing available light as minimal as one candle. I found an interesting mirror made up of dozens of tiny round mirrors, which is where I made some of my favorite images from the entire shoot.

I had one last shoot in Santa Barbara that afternoon, so I was only able to spend 45 minutes with Renee, but the images turned out extraordinarily well; some of my favorites to date. I hurried myself out to be on time for my next shoot and edited the first ones of Renee on my flight back to Minneapolis.

A few days after I was home, I received a box from Amazon. Inside was an incredibly candle, sent by Renee, as a thank you for the shoot. I have some mixed feelings about people in LA, but she’s an absolute doll. I’m so glad I had the change to know and shoot with such a talent, and wonderful person.

Follow Renee Olstead on Instagram @renee_olstead and catch her last feature film, The Murder Pact, where she played Annabel.