I can’t resist feeling a bit closer to pop star Rita Ora when my good friend and top photographer Mark Nicdao shot her for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam months ago. His gig is a win for both of us: This, by far, bolsters his already star-studded resumé, and what happened behind it are stories I can exclusively share here.
Mark seems to have an affinity for the famous—or maybe, the popular is just attracted to him. For this stint, designer Cory Tran Lee has recommended him to shoot Rita for the publication.
He describes the experience both a “heaven and hell.” (Trust him to talk about anything honestly, but always with endearment. Harper’s, please don’t get offended.) “Pop stars are different from us: We’re not known worldwide, and they are. I have to offer something different,” he says, “I learned a lot about myself and dealing with the stress that comes from a lot of factors. Nevertheless, I’ve learned that nothing comes easy.”
Then again, talent like Mark’s doesn’t come short. “The best part was that I was given a voice on how I want the image to come out on the cover. It was the biggest compliment that I’ve a hand on how the cover looked—which made me proud of it.”
But could you believe that the Mark Nicdao—the same one who shot 10-million-follower-strong Anne Curtis and Asia’s top model Georgina Wilson with as much ease as a kid eating cake—was stunned to shyness when meeting Rita?
“We never really had a moment to talk because of the time constraint, and I was very intimidated by her,” he tells, “Most of the time I was just quiet, but during our session, I was a bit loud because I want her to hear me clearly.”
Rita, like how we saw her on-screen or heard her in “Body on Me,” is a headstrong personality. “She was pretty sharp with everything, and she knows what to do,” Mark notices. The artist wears unique pieces by designer Cory Dung Tran, all of which she modeled with pride and grace.
“From what I remember, the gown on the cover was made from raw materials that came from all over Japan. I think the pictures don’t give that much justice to how it looks compared to when it’s in front of you. That’s how beautiful it was,” he adds.
Seeing the cover come to life makes my heart swell. After all, the guy started out as an anonymous production assistant for a studio named Paradigm Visions. It took him 12 years to have us look at his photos—12 years before an industry revered his art. Personally, I admire Mark for choosing to stay behind the lens and focus on his craft rather than drown in his celebrity status.
While it takes time for the outside world to notice our abundant talent, Mark’s milestone proves that good things come to those who wait.
