Close-up portrait of a woman with wet hair, pale pink eyeshadow, and a pearl ear cuff against a plain white background.

Close-up portrait of a female model with bold pink eyeshadow and textured white turtleneck against a seamless background

Close-up macro shot of pink cosmetic liquid dropping from a tube applicator onto yellow fruit pulp against a neutral background.

An egg balanced with a dark red sphere on top standing beside a tube of dark red lipstick against a plain light background

Close up portrait of a woman with bleached eyebrows, pale purple eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, and slicked back brown hair against white.

Model wearing a white strapless crop top and rhinestone choker against a plain light grey studio background.

Close-up of a halved red grape with a translucent drop suspended above it against a plain light background

Close-up beauty portrait of a woman with vibrant pink and orange eye makeup against a clean white backdrop.

Balanced stack of fresh fruits including green apple, dark plum, and peeled lychee against white background

Close-up portrait of a model with pale eye makeup and neutral lips against a plain background for Soft Power.

Close-up macro shot of parted lips wearing glossy pink lipstick with visible texture and teeth showing inside.

Close-up portrait of a woman with bleached eyebrows, pale blue eyeshadow, and tousled light brown hair against a plain background.

Balanced stack of citrus fruit and a cherry on a water glass against a pale background

Special Projects Soft Power 2026

About

Soft Power by Special Projects serves as a masterclass in the interplay between organic form and contemporary cosmetic branding. This series of images, characterized by a clean editorial minimalism, moves fluidly between high-fashion portraiture and meticulous product still life. Photographer Jason Kim orchestrates a visual language defined by high-key lighting and precision, utilizing studio strobe setups to emphasize the intersection of skin texture and cosmetic pigment. The project bridges the gap between commercial accessibility and fine art, leaning into macro perspectives where viscous serums and balanced fruit stacks become as expressive as the models themselves. Makeup artists Sevil Tai and Yvane Rocher bring a sophisticated, often avant-garde touch to the portraiture, experimenting with bleached brows, graphic eyeliner, and bold, saturated pigments that feel both clinical and inherently human. Through the lens of Maartje Convens, the subject matter feels grounded, providing a cohesive center for the series. By juxtaposing the raw, tangible surface of fruit with the polished reality of lip gloss and skin, Soft Power challenges the traditional aesthetic of the beauty industry. The result is a series that feels purposefully balanced, where even the most technical portrait captures a sense of tactile intimacy, ultimately presenting cosmetics not just as an accessory, but as a dynamic, evolving element of modern portraiture.