Stevie and Mada for Lampoon 30: Raw Portraits from the Edge of the Sunshine

Stevie and Mada turn their lens on Florida’s unrefined landscapes: they capture the interplay between the state’s untamed nature and the individuals who call it home, revealing a side of Florida that is as raw as it is real

Stevie and Mada explores the raw Florida for Lampoon 30

Stevie and Mada explores the raw Florida for Lampoon 30 diving deep into the untamed essence of the Sunshine State, capturing the grit, raw beauty, and the stark contrasts that define the region. Departing from Florida’s postcard-perfect images, they ventured into the less polished corners of the state, spotlighting locations that pulsate with authenticity. The result is a series of photographs where every frame tells a story of Florida’s unconventional landscapes and the equally vibrant individuals who inhabit them.

The duo’s lens finds a balance between the ruggedness of the setting and the carefully curated compositions of their subjects. From the sun-baked plains of Homestead to the shadowed waters of the Everglades, the locations they selected form a backdrop that feels both wild and intimate. Stevie and Mada embrace this rawness, allowing the natural elements to interact with the models, who become extensions of their surroundings—unrefined, yet deliberately posed. Each subject owns their space with a sense of agency, transforming swamps, beaches, and suburban stretches into arenas of self-expression.

The portraits emphasize Florida’s contradictory nature—lush yet unforgiving, serene yet chaotic. For instance, the image of Taylor, a snake keeper, speaks to this duality, her presence commanding but grounded among the exotic creatures she cares for. Similarly, the shot of Nesa, a mother and model, conveys a sense of resilience that mirrors the dense, unyielding Florida landscape. Their bodies are central to these narratives, their physicality highlighted through poses that are both dynamic and unrestrained, set against a backdrop that feels untouched by human intervention.

Stevie Verroca and Mada Refujio – the photography duo Stevie and Mada

Stevie Verroca and Mada Refujio, the creative minds behind the photography duo Stevie and Mada, operate out of New York City. Their work is defined by striking, personality-centered portraits that highlight the body as a medium of expression. For them, casting and setting are crucial, with models that confidently occupy the frame—posing, asserting, and shaping their self-image with intentionality. Their subjects seem to command the spaces they inhabit, transforming each location into a stage, a throne, or even a sacred space where identity and intention are performed.

It’s often said that blending personal relationships with creative work can be a challenge; balancing the dynamics of love and artistic vision might appear daunting. Yet, history has shown that some of the most influential creative collaborations have emerged from couples—think of Andreas and Vivienne or Inez and Vinoodh. Stevie Verroca and Mada Refujio are another testament to this, having successfully merged their artistic sensibilities since their initial meeting in California in 2010. Now, as Stevie Mada, they craft imagery filled with vivid colors and the warmth of sunlit outdoor settings, softened by the cooler urban atmosphere of their New York base.

Their photographs bring a sense of intimacy and playfulness to their subjects, guiding them through fluid poses that serve as a reminder of the human presence behind the fashion. With a balanced perspective that draws from both feminine and masculine viewpoints, they celebrate the physicality of the body, offering viewers a visual experience that is at once sensual and engaging.

Credits

photography Stevie and Mada @steviemada,
styling Alison Marie Isbell @alisonmarieisbell,
talent Alex @not_even_flexin
fashion top Habey Club, bikini bottom The Twink Next Door
styling assistants Stella Evans @_stellaevans and Arianna Bonifazi @ariannahbonifazi
casting S.A.M.