Playboy
Tropicaliente
This photoshoot will always be etched in my memory as ground zero for the whole COVID-19 craziness. It was like being on a wild rollercoaster with flights getting canceled, everyone in masks, and the whole world just feeling all shaky and unsure. This mysterious virus appeared out of nowhere, and everyone was freaking out. It marked the beginning of numerous lockdowns, freedom restrictions, and tons of stress. But just before all the chaos hit America and Europe, I was on my way to Mexico for a photoshoot with Priscilla Huggins, who would become my seventh Playmate in the US edition of Playboy.
When I first saw Priscilla, I knew she’d be a dream to photograph – her stunning sun-kissed skin, beautiful hair, and a face straight out of a dream, complemented by the most beautiful smile. I was eager to capture her beauty, and I knew it would be a hit!
I chose Tulum, Mexico for this photoshoot because of its magical ambiance, with the radiant sun and vibrant tropical landscapes. Priscilla, with her exotic mix of Puerto Rican and American roots, seemed like the perfect match for a shoot by the calm Caribbean sea. It’s like she’s got the beach in her blood.
But, of course, not everything went smoothly. Both I, the model, and Gonçalo had flights scheduled to land in Cancun on March 14, 2020. The photoshoot was set for the following days, March 15 and 16. Right before my flight from Lisbon was about to take off, I received a message from Priscilla saying her flight from Los Angeles to Cancun had been canceled due to the pandemic. Panic mode kicked in, and I reached out to José de Lemos – my travel guru – who luckily remained calm. He managed to contact Priscilla and secure another last-minute flight, saving the day just in the nick of time. Whew! It was a close call.
Once we safely arrived in Tulum, our trusted fixer, Roger, was there with us the whole time, ensuring we had everything we needed. He and his cute pup, Galatea, drove us from Cancun to Tulum in his jeep, taking good care of us along the way.
We’ve welcomed David Friedman to the team, who worked wonders on Priscilla’s makeup and hair. It was a fantastic collaboration, and I’m sure it won’t be our last.
Our photoshoot with Priscilla lasted two amazing days. The first one was all about the sun, sea, and sandy beach – just as we’d planned. On the second day, we went to the super cool Mudra Tulum hotel. The friendly staff there welcomed us, giving us the freedom to capture their best spots. It was a creative paradise!
Photographing Priscilla was such a beautiful experience, filling my heart with unforgettable memories!
– Ana Dias
BTS photos by Gonçalo Jorge
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Model: Priscilla Huggins; Photographer: Ana Dias; Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Production Assistant: Roger van der Veer; Makeup & Hair: David Friedman; Video: Filipe Figueiredo; JJ Maghirang; Special Thanks: Mudra Tulum
TAGS
Sun Kissed
Sometimes, life throws us unexpected challenges, and we have to think on our feet. I pride myself on being super organized photographer when it comes to my photoshoots. I always invest time in studying the models beforehand and selecting a mood that aligns with their essence, allowing me to capture their true selves.
When I first saw Natalia Andreeva, an image immediately formed in my mind—a pool adorned with aquatic accessories, a shower, and vibrant, playful elements to complement her personality. Thankfully, a friend kindly offered his house for the shoot, and everything seemed to be falling into place. The weather was cooperating too. But then, just two days before the big photoshoot on August 20, 2019, I got a real bummer of a message from the homeowner. He told me we couldn’t use his pool that day. I felt stuck in a tricky situation, not really sure what to do next.
Finding another beautiful house with a pool available in the middle of August seemed like an impossible task. I reached out to my contacts and scoured the internet, but I didn’t find any place that I liked. So, I decided to brainstorm an alternative that I could control. Since I love the beach, that was the natural choice for me, even though I had initially wanted a villa with a pool. I had to rethink everything and exchange the chlorinated water for the saltwater of the ocean.
It was like a mad rush, making me change up the mood board from my original idea. Plus, summer was in full swing, and August is when everybody takes off on vacation. Trying to find a quiet beach spot seemed almost impossible. Fortunately, I remembered a beach where I often shoot. Although it was crowded, I knew that with a 2 or 3-kilometer walk, we could find a spot just for us.
It was a tough journey, but the end result? I couldn’t be happier!
– Ana Dias
BTS photos by Gonçalo Jorge, Pedro Barradas and Magda Casqueiro
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Model: Natalia Andreeva; Photographer: Ana Dias; Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Makeup & Hair: Magda Casqueiro; Video: Pedro Barradas
TAGS
Bahama Mama
Bask in the hot Bahamian sun with the stunning wild heart international Playmate, Marisa Papen. Looking absolutely luminous, Marisa brings the summer heat in this set from photographer Ana Dias. “For me being sexy isn’t about wearing red lipstick and a pushup bra. It’s about being your true, natural self, and not to be afraid to show this,” she says. Feeling right at home, Marisa Papen walks through the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Bahamas, captivating all with her sultry gaze, tanned body, and sweet smile. “I love being outside, swimming in the ocean, breathing fresh air,” she confessed. Fall in love with her warm skin in this sun drenched Caribbean pictorial.
First published in Playboy Mexico August 2019 Issue
Also published in: Playboy Italy September 2019 Issue
Buy the issue here
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Model: Marisa Papen; Photographer: Ana Dias; Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Photography Assistants: PJ Nixon, Julian Gibson; Video: Filipe Figueiredo
COVERS
BEHIND THE SCENES
