01 Oct Miss Universe Contestant Portraits with Malayika
Working with Malayika is always a dream. This recent portrait session was our second time shooting together, and once again, she absolutely blew me away. Malayika is one of those rare models the camera truly loves. She knows exactly how to move, how to express, and how to give a range of looks with ease and grace. From the moment she stepped on set, it was effortless — I don’t think the shoot even lasted 30 minutes. When someone is that good, it doesn’t need to.
Since our last shoot together two years ago, Malayika has been incredibly busy traveling the world. She’s modeled abroad in stunning locations like Greece and Italy, thanks to the excellent representation she’s received from Angie’s Models, who have done a phenomenal job of guiding and supporting her career. And now, she’s taking things to the next level as a Miss Universe contestant. It’s such an honor to be the one photographing her official contestant portraits. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a few beauty pageant contestants — I believe this is my fourth now — and every experience is unique. This one felt especially meaningful.
To make this shoot even more special, we had the insanely talented Anthonia on makeup. Anthonia is a self-taught artist based here in Ottawa, and her skill level is nothing short of masterful. She just gets it — no over-explaining, no second-guessing. She knows how to enhance her subject’s features with precision and style. Watching her work on Malayika was a treat in itself, and the final look was flawless.
What made this day even better was the vibe in the studio while the makeup was being done. The three of us hung out, cracked jokes, and genuinely had the best time. It was relaxed, fun, and full of good energy — the kind of creative atmosphere I always hope for. Shoots like this remind me why I love what I do: getting to work alongside passionate, driven, and kind people who bring their best to every moment.
Malayika is now focused on her journey with Miss Universe, and I feel so lucky to be a small part of that. She’s on an incredible path, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
Scroll down to see the portraits we created together. I’m so proud of this session — not just for the images, but for the wonderful experience behind them.
To see more of my team’s work, click the links below:
Malayika – model – https://www.instagram.com/malayikasway/
Anthonia – makeup artist – https://www.instagram.com/anthonia.bejide/
Angie’s Models – talent agency – https://www.instagram.com/angiesmodels/
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