Beau Roulette

I had the opportunity to photograph and Art direct the launch of the Vans Zahba Zion Wright colorway, working closely alongside Creative Director Joe Edelman. The shoe was more than just a performance model — it carried Zion’s personal story from his hometown of Jupiter, Florida, with design details like a planet Jupiter embroidery, a pull tab reading “V VI I” (561, his local area code), and a space-dust speckled midsole. My role was to translate that narrative visually, highlighting both the technical aspects of the new ImpactWaffle™ platform and the emotional storytelling that made this colorway feel connected to Zion’s identity.

The shoot included studio hero images of Zion holding stacks of Zahbas, detailed closeups that showcased the outsole and material construction, and community-focused shots tied to the NYC launch event at Skate Space 198 with the Harold Hunter Foundation. Working with Joe Edelman, we pushed for visuals that balanced authentic skate energy with premium product storytelling — letting Zion’s personality lead the campaign while ensuring the shoes themselves felt like the centerpiece. It was a project that blended my love of photographing footwear with the collaborative energy of telling a rider’s story in a way that resonated with both skate culture and Vans’ broader audience.