When we shared this Instagram photo last month, we hinted that it wasn’t just an everyday snapshot (our caption even mentioned that both of us had to put on makeup for it).
That image was taken on the set of a photoshoot for Richmond Magazine’s annual Best & Worst issue. This reader-voted roundup includes categories that range from straightforward (Best New Restaurant) to quirky (TV Anchor Who Never Ages).
How did we end up in the magazine? We were voted Best Local Instagram Feed. We were genuinely surprised when they called—our first reaction was, “Are you sure you mean us?” You can read the short blurb about it in the magazine.
Beyond the surprise of being voted in (we didn’t even know that category existed), we were honored when Richmond Magazine asked to photograph us for the feature. It felt odd not being photographed in front of our house, but the dramatic black-and-white wall that photographer Matt Licari and set designers Stephanie and Chad Jacobson built made for a striking backdrop.
The concept was Instagram-themed, so we pretended to take selfies with a phone—though the magazine’s creative director’s phone was used on set because our phone cases were considered distracting. The screen effect was added later in Photoshop.
Matt kindly sent us some outtakes to share. If nothing else, they prove that not every one of my expressions involves a wide-open mouth—though, to be fair, many of them do.
We also shot a few frames with Sherry holding the phone, which required an awkward squat on my part. Modeling isn’t exactly known for comfort, but it was fun to try something different.
Thanks to Steve at Richmond Magazine for inviting us to participate, and to photographer Matt Licari for letting us be silly in front of his lens. A big thank-you goes out to the locals who voted for us—your support means a lot. We joked during the shoot about waiting for a trophy, sash, novelty check, or key to the city. When it arrives, you can bet we’ll Instagram a photo of it.
Photographs by Matt Licari, courtesy of Richmond Magazine