SAND: An Interview with Photographer Josh Dalsimer (Kunst)

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In honor of the beach-bound time of year, our August login page is all about sand, sun, and summer. Photographer Josh Dalsimer and crew hit the New Jersey coastline to create a whole new kind of sand castle. Here, Josh gives us the inside scoop.

What inspired this shoot?
We have a list of unexpected places to find “Rue La La,” and one of the places was written in the sand. After we thought about it some more, we wanted to make it a bit bigger and more fun. Plus, Little Rue is coming.

How did this concept evolve from the beginning stages?
We first thought of writing in the sand with your finger. Then we thought a giant sand sculpture in Coney Island. Then realized this scale was a bit more manageable. It would have been fun to do it huge though, maybe for something in the future…

Tell us about the setting. We wish we were there right now!
The beach was Sandy Hook, which is the northernmost tip of the Jersey Shore. Unfortunately, no Snookie. It was a crazy hot day but surprisingly empty for a beautiful beach.

Why did you choose this setting?
Part of the reason we chose to go here was to avoid the crowds that you find on most beaches around NYC. And it has the nicest sand around.

Word on the street is that you used a model to shape the logo. What did you do to set up once you got on location?
We had brought sand from the location to Mark’s studio, so he used the actual sand on the model. We then brought the model to the beach and found the right consistency to match It looked perfect. Because it was a model, we could flip it around to figure out the best light and angle. It also enabled us to to pick it up and run if a huge wave was coming!

Who else was on set with you helping to make the shot come out perfectly?
My trusty crew comprises of Kyle Kramer (producer from The New Cruelty), Winnie Au (digital technician), Signe Yberg (clothes stylist), Susan Donoghue (hair and makeup), and Karolina Drajewicz (production assistant).

Tell us about the model in the picture.
She was great. She understood what we were doing and took direction. Nothing like a savvy New York kid to know her way around a photo shoot.

How long did the shoot take?
For the actual shoot, we arrived at the beach at 8:00 and left around noon.

Where is the sand model now?
In my garage waiting for the Rue La La museum to open so it can have a proper home.

What feeling do you hope this image will bring to Members?
Summer fun!

Profession: Photographer
Shoot: As our login page partner, Josh has worked on several shoots
Website: www.dalsimerphoto.com

Hometown: Brookline, MA

Current homebase: Mamaroneck, NY

The coolest project you’ve ever worked on (besides Rue, of course): Shooting the latest Devo album cover.

Off-duty pastime: Being a dad and drumming

Best advice you’ve ever been given: Do what you want to do, not what you think others want you to do.

Dream profession if you weren’t a photographer: Drummer

Most difficult location to shoot: Streets of New York. Cabbies will run you over.

Favorite city in the world: San Francisco

The song that would make up the soundtrack to your life: Way too hard of a question but “Lost in the Supermarket” by the Clash would be one of them.