Ilona © Leland Bobbé

I recently had the pleasure of shooting 90 year old cabaret singer and painter Ilona Smithkin. Recently featured in New York Magazine, Ilona is as you can probably tell from her portraits a one of a kind. With energy to burn and stories to tell, llona really knew what she was doing in front of the camera, taking my direction perfectly. Lit with a beauty dish with a grid, I wanted  a high key effect that really showed off the personality she was able to exude. Check out those eyelashes, made by Ilona using her own hair.