Ever since I started shooting for Playboy, I’ve had this itch to photograph a classic Bunny in the official Playboy costume. I’d been talking to Katzi Stadler, the pictorial director of German Playboy, about this for a while, and she generously offered to loan me a Bunny outfit and the necessary accessories. All I had to do was give her a shout, and she’d ship it my way.
I was just waiting for the right moment with the right model to bring this vision to life. My aim was to pay homage to the swinging ’60s with a photoshoot inspired by the old-school Playboy clubs from that era. For that, I needed a model who had that whole vibe going on, and a place that oozed glamour and timeless charm.
That’s where Solomia Maievska came into the picture. She was the model I had in mind, with her beautiful and generous bust, short hair, those big, mesmerizing eyes, and a genuine, childlike smile. Her timeless beauty made her the perfect fit to be my Bunny!
As for the location, nothing screamed ’60s glamour like a casino: the dazzling lights, the slot machines, the roulette wheels, and the classic allure reminiscent of Ian Fleming’s Bond world. It also had a nostalgic touch of old Playboy Clubs I aimed to capture.
Of course, this kind of shoot could only happen at the fabulous Casino Lisboa. This place holds a special spot in my heart since it’s where I had my first major photography exhibition, “Ana Dias – Playboy World.”
So, on July 11, 2023, we were all set: the model, my crew, and myself, working together to bring this project to life.
Here’s an interesting tidbit about shooting in a casino that is obvious but we usually don’t think about—casinos are pretty much always open. To get a shoot in there, we had a very narrow window of opportunity, limited to the early morning hours. Time was ticking!
We had to pull out all the stops to stay awake. Figueiredo and Gomes traveled all the way from up north at 2:00 a.m. Raquel didn’t even get to hit the sack, coming straight from another job. As for me, Gonçalo, Jaime and Solomia, we managed to grab a tad more sleep, but not by much.
Despite the race against the clock, we pulled off shots on two different casino floors and even squeezed in some studio shots, which ended up on the cover of the December issue of Playboy Germany.

– Ana Dias

BTS photos by Gonçalo Jorge, Gonçalo Gomes and Jaime Luiz

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Model: Solomia Maievska; Photographer: Ana Dias; Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Photography Assistant: Gonçalo Gomes; Makeup & Hair: Raquel Batalha; Video: Filipe Figueiredo; Special Thanks: Jaime Luiz; Kathrin Stadler

TAGS
Playboy, Solomia Maievska

Solomia Maievska came into my life in a particular way. It all started when Katzi from Playboy Germany mentioned her. She told me that Solomia had auditioned for Playmate of the month. Katzi showed me some of her photos, and I got super curious. So, I checked her out on social media and started chatting with her on Instagram, and lo and behold, about a month later, we found ourselves doing a photoshoot together!
We did this photoshoot on October 12, 2022. It wasn’t quite summer anymore, and the weather wasn’t ideal for outdoor shoots. It was a bit chilly, so I thought, why not find a cool house with big glass windows and an infinity pool looking out over the ocean? That way, we could take photos both inside and, if Mother Nature was feeling cooperative, outside too.
I hadn’t met Solomia Maievska before, and I knew it was going to be her first nude photoshoot. I was a bit nervous at first because I usually work with experienced nude models. But Solomia had this amazing look – slim with a large bust and her face: a mix of mischievous, sweet, and a little badass, kind of like Cara Delevingne. So, I took a chance on her, and I’m so glad I did!
Mia turned out to be a dream model for any photographer. You wouldn’t even guess it was her first time posing naked. We wrapped up the whole shooting in just 5 hours because we arrived at the location late, and in October, the sun sets early. As we worked, the vibe was just right. The chemistry between us was fantastic, and Mia’s enthusiasm was infectious. Despite the initial nervousness, her confidence grew, and we shared plenty of laughs throughout the shoot.
It was one of those unforgettable experiences that remind me why I love what I do. Creating beautiful art with an incredibly unique model like Mia was an absolute blast, and I can’t wait to do it all over again. It was a day full of creativity, laughter, and a genuine connection.

– Ana Dias

BTS photos by Gonçalo Jorge

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Model: Solomia Maievska; Photographer: Ana Dias; Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Makeup & Hair: Sara Portugal – Team Raquel Batalha; Video: Filipe Figueiredo

TAGS
Playboy, Solomia Maievska