Gia (sepia) : July 1978
Gia Carangi was a shooting star...quite literally!
This photo was from my very first photo shoot with Gia, for Vogue, July 1978 (the shoot date). The image is somewhat soft and grainy (due to it’s being a large blowup of a small image and because I worked to emphasize the grain
Gia quickly rose to super star status as a model. But, just a few years later she became addicted to drugs and her life began a downward spiral.
I worked with Gia only in 1978 and 1979. She was always lovely…full of life. full of fun and unpredictably spontaneous. Gia was one of, perhaps, two or three of the most inventive models I worked with in some fifty years of photograhing women. By inventive I mean that she would adapt to a situation and cast herself in a role that fit the shoot. If you look at photos of Gia by different fashion photographers you can see how she would take on a persona to fit the situation.
Gia was a delight to work with. She died at the age of 26 from complications caused by AIDS.
The writer, Stephen Fried, wrote a book about Gia, Thing of Beauty—The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia.
To this day there is a huge following of Gia fans. This has been one of my most popular images of Gia.
Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
SD Smart
Thank you showing this image and sharing the story of this beautiful woman.
Jo O'Brien
Now this is the kind of portrait you cant ignore. the use of light is so subtle and yet so beautiful. Her expression and posture just draws you in. The hint of eroticism and mystery keeps you looking. stunning work
Amedori
She was indeed a tragedy – she had it all and you to make it shine !
martinilogic
what an amazing portrait. great work, perfect subject
LocoCow
Very Pretty…. but obviously a very troubled young lady thank you for sharing…
Karin Lau
Amazing work, Stan! Always love hearing your stories.
angiep
I bought this picture on RedBubble and brought it home today from getting it framed. Stunning. Gia inspires me to make the world a better and safer place for young people and I want to say thank you for having it for sale as I find it so difficult finding pictures of her.
Forever a fan.
Thank you.
xoxo