9th July, 2024
Anya Taylor-Joy for DEFINED's July cover
Where DEFINED defines itself
Words by Emily Zemler
Photography by Rachell Smith
Shooting Anya Taylor-Joy at London’s Big Sky Studios was a transformative moment for Rachell Smith, underscoring an idea that had been developing throughout her career. Although she’d had great success bringing her own vision to life, Rachell realised her photoshoots could also be a moment of collaborative expression for the talent. Anya, appearing as DEFINED’s debut cover, represents this possibility, showcasing the power that can emerge from a close collaboration between a photographer and their subject.
Over the past several years, Anya has become a formidable force in Hollywood. Since breaking through as the lead of Robert Eggers’ folk horror movie The Witch, Anya has established herself as an actor who is fearless, mutable, and charismatic, shifting from the period romance of Emma to the edgy thrills of Last Night in Soho to the hardcore action of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, her most recent project. She captivates audiences with her onscreen performances and her red carpet style in equal measure, but underneath her undeniable star power Anya is a relatable woman characterised by strength, intelligence, dedication, and focus.
During the photoshoot that appears on DEFINED’s first cover, Rachell and Anya worked together to elevate fashion using clothes to inspire movement and expression. From the moment Anya stepped on to the set, she brought with her a graceful, powerful presence and a sense of creativity that can be palpably felt in the images themselves. “Capturing her being herself in that moment made me realise my passion,” Rachell says. “To bring out the true essence of talent in cover shoots through honest communication and collaboration. These images represent what DEFINED is all about—raw, honest, and collaborative.”
Through photographs, we have the opportunity to better understand ourselves as humans, as the subject and as the viewer. A photographer is a conduit to that understanding, which is made far more powerful by the pursuit of artistic collaboration. At DEFINED, the overarching goal is to showcase talent as authentic, creative human beings. What can we learn about someone when they are empowered to be part of their own image-making and when they are given the space to be wholly themselves? DEFINED poses that question by imbuing the process with complete creative freedom for both the photographer and her subjects.
In uncertain times and a rapidly changing world, capturing timeless, lasting images is more and more challenging. So much of what we see is commodified, driven by the sale of products, and so little exists as unadulterated glimpses of the human experience. DEFINED champions authenticity and connection as exhibited by the dynamic, creative exploration displayed in this photoshoot. Meaningful, uncompromised art is rare and true collaboration is even rarer. But when we can see past all the noise, looking at someone for who they truly are, the power and importance of images is starkly apparent. Inspired by Rachell’s own shift in mindset, DEFINED advocates for a new, quietly revolutionary, way of presenting talent to their audience.
