By Emily White
Join us as we go behind the lens with photographer and host of All Arts on PBS’s Portrait Mode with Sophie Elgort to see what she’s getting up to in the Hamptons this season.
Sophie, you’re the host and EP of All Arts’ new series Portrait Mode with Sophie Elgort. How did it come about?
Over the pandemic, I started an Instagram series where I’d interview my dad [photographer Arthur Elgort] about a different photograph each week and he would tell the story behind it. I pitched the show to Diane Masciale at All Arts on PBS, and she gave me valuable feedback. We kept in touch and eventually came up with a different idea together. Four years, and a lot of work later, we’re premiering the show.
What can viewers expect from the series?
Each episode goes behind the scenes at a photo shoot with a different world-renowned artist across genres. My favorite part of photography is getting to know the subject through the photo shoot process, not only by what they say during our conversations throughout but also by seeing them in action. We wanted to create this show to offer a window into that process.
You spend much of your time behind the lens. What was it like stepping into the spotlight?
I grew up in front of the camera; my dad was always taking our photos, so I’m comfortable because I’m good at ignoring the camera and just going about my business, which is exactly what I had to do in this show.
You’re not only the host of Portrait Mode but the executive producer as well. How were you able to balance both roles during the filming process?
Most of my work as executive producer came in pre-production and post-production, like concept, format, bringing on talent, post-production of the images, feedback on the edit process versus production on the day-of, when the All Arts team took over and I could focus on being the host and the photographer.
What was your favorite memory from being on set?
There’s not just one. Rita Moreno breaking into a perfect rendition of Peggy Lee’s “Why Don’t You Do Right” mid-filming, watching Skylar Brandt play Bond girl in the middle of City Hall Park for my Super 8 camera, watching Nile Rodgers jam on his famous Hitmaker guitar, and of course, getting to photograph my dad outside his studio in Soho hearing stories about shoots from the past 40-plus years on those same streets.
How will you spend your time off from filming in the Hamptons this summer?
With my family—my husband and three young kids, as well as my parents and brothers and extended family.
Where can our readers watch Portrait Mode?
The easiest place to watch the show is online on the All Arts website, or if you’re a TV person, the broadcast premiere date is on June 6 at 8 p.m. EST on the PBS network!
