![Joyce Charat photo of a model in an earth tone outfit, sitting on the desert hill, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-earth-tones-in-desert.jpg)
Joyce Charat is a fashion photographer and director with a distinctive visual style. Her first camera was “a pink COOLPIX” borrowed from her mom, which she replaced with a D5600 before upgrading to a D850, and ultimately switching to mirrorless with the Z8 and Z6III. In this interview, Joyce gives us a behind-the-scenes look at a high-concept photo and video shoot with the Z6III and describes how she and the camera got on in the tough conditions of California’s Death Valley.
![Joyce Charat photo of a model in an off-white outfit in the desert with mountains in the background, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-desert-in-white-coat.jpg)
Joyce’s work is characterized by motion, bold colors, unconventional framing and a distinctive hyperrealism, often created using very wide focal lengths. What lenses and lighting equipment does Joyce reach for to create her “signature look”?
My core lens kit consists of three lenses. The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, an adapted (using the Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ) Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED and the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S. The 24-70mm is an essential, super-versatile lens, while the 8-15mm lets me distort people and make them appear tall and powerful. The 14-24mm is perfect for times when my client doesn’t need such an extreme “fish-eye” effect, but I still want to add my signature style. Lighting is so important—it’s what really elevates my images. My main kit consists of Profoto B10X Plus strobes, bounce boards, and some modifiers.
![Joyce Charat photo of a model in a black gown sitting on a stool in the water, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-sitting-in-black-dress.jpg)
The Z6III comes with a suite of powerful features such as 6K/60p internal RAW and Full HD/240p video, and new hardware including the brightest electronic viewfinder of any mirrorless camera. Joyce explains the concept behind the stunning imagery that she created for the Z6III launch campaign, and how the camera’s advanced features and powerful performance helped her get the results she wanted.
![Joyce Charat photo of a model sitting on a rock in the desert, with hair flowing, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-striped-outfit-desert.jpg)
I wanted to create a surreal and dreamy world to contrast with the beautiful avant-garde costumes. My goal was to evoke a sense of freedom, disorientation and escape—really bringing the viewer to another planet.
![Joyce Charat photo of a model standing in front of a lake, wearing a flowy purple outfit, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-purple-vert.jpg)
Shooting in such an extreme desert environment is very challenging. We were working for almost 12 hours in very hard conditions—from the cold of dawn to the heat of the day, with no shade, and the Z6III was incredible. The viewfinder stayed clear and detailed even in the incredibly bright sunshine, which was amazing. I like to capture a lot of action, and I had the idea to blow big bubbles then film them in slow motion. The Z6III’s new Full HD/240p video mode ended up delivering even better quality than I’d expected, and we didn’t experience any overheating, even in such a hot environment. Full HD at 240 fps is amazing and allows me to get creative shots I would not be able to get on the Z8 or any other Nikon camera. It’s unique. I’m planning a fashion editorial involving water and flowy dresses and shooting it all in 240 fps slow motion!
![Joyce Charat photo of a model in purple, in front of a desert lake, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-purple-water-background.jpg)
When I was working with the Z6III, I was surprised by how light and compact the camera felt. Both my Z8 and the Z6III are so much faster than the D850. Switching to mirrorless was life changing for me. I’m able to do so much more now, in both stills and motion, with a lighter and faster body.
![Joyce Charat photo of a model in a short dress in the desert, with blurred water and mountains behind her, taken with the Z6III](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-model-in-short-dress-desert.jpg)
mountains.
Shooting in the extreme conditions of the Californian desert with a large crew and a completely new camera was a challenge—Joyce reflects on the experience:
I was nervous about working with a brand-new camera that I hadn’t used or tested before the shoot—I just knew I wanted to create my best work. But when we wrapped, I remember looking up at the sky and snowy mountains as the first stars started appearing and telling myself “We really did it”. I felt very grateful. I’ll never forget that incredible day. It truly felt like a project created out of love and passion, and it brings me so much joy to see a project go from my imagination to reality.
![Photo of Joyce Charat with the Z6III mirrorless camera on a gimbal, standing in a salt lake in the desert](https://nikoncreators.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joyce-Charat-on-location-shoot.jpg)
Joyce Charat
A former competitive skateboarder in her native France, Joyce Charat first picked up a camera to shoot video at street skateboard championships. Now based in LA, Joyce’s clients include major lifestyle magazines, well-known brands and international celebrities including Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg.
View more of Joyce’s work at her website: joycecharat.com.
Check Joyce out on social media: Instagram, TikTok and Vimeo.