Thomas Salme

Above Marion Vijar, Gretchen Ellis and Sarah Rivera.

Gretchen from Nicaragua, Marion from Estonia and Sarah from Dominican Republic, all work as professional models—who happen to be best friends. Normally, when I meet models that are professional, there is always a kind of competition between them. I have never seen three girls in one shoot who laugh together and helping each other out in the friendly way that they did.
   I started the shoot at 6 a.m. in Nikki Beach in Miami, Fla., and the girls where all awake and ready to work.
   After four hours’ shooting, we had some great pics and with almost no editing, the photos are on the computer screen.
   I think it is hard to find models who do not need editing afterwards, and this set of the “three best friends” gave me hope that the natural look is back again.
   Being in Miami, I think that the weather and the great locations, together with very friendly people, create the perfect location.
   As most of the people have Latin blood, it makes it a place where things are happening and there’s a smile on every face you see, like in Venezuela or Colombia.
   As one of the models said, ‘There is nothing more comfortable than getting undressed in front of your best friends.’
   So until the next session from my Miami series, please enjoy those photos I took.—Thomas Salme, with Gretchen Ellis

Gretchen Ellis


Thomas Salme

Sarah Rivera

Thomas Salme

Marion Vijar

Thomas Salme