While I was in Rio de Janeiro last month I met up and collaborated with stunning Monique. She had the idea of a fashion shoot, using the colours of a local favela as a backdrop. Inspiration came from a recent Vogue shoot featuring Cara Delevingne, in the same place – Santa Marta favela. We hired two local Rio guides to help out and look out for us.

Santa Marta favela was pacified recently as part of the clean up operation as the city prepares to host the World Cup and Olympics, a few years ago it probably wouldn’t have been possible to shoot here. I’m really glad I had the chance to visit it and work there, albeit briefly, and not as part of some tour group.

(All images shot with a Nikon D800E and Nikon f/2 135mm lens.)

More info and contact details for Monique here.

Monique in Santa Marta Favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Monique, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Monique, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Monique, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Monique, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil