LIGHT, DIRECTION, AND DRAMA
Natural light is the unsung hero of our most unforgettable fashion editorials. From the golden haze of a Caribbean sunrise to the sharp shadows cast by an Italian courtyard at noon, light has shaped mood, texture, and narrative across our pages. Itโs never just about finding the lightโitโs about knowing how to shape it. Thatโs where our photographers come in.
Every shot you see on these pages was the result of a deliberate conversation between light and lens. The lighting in these images, while often natural, was composedโdirectedโby the keen eye of the photographer. Whether it meant chasing a fleeting ray of sun or waiting for just the right cloud cover, the shot didnโt happen to us. We went after it.
Over the past 20 years, weโve worked with a roster of accomplished image-makers. Each brought their own vision and philosophy to the shoot. But among them, David Benoliel has left an indelible mark on our visual identity. His ability to harness natural light and shape it into something sculptural and cinematic is second to none. David dramatizes fashion, turning fabric, skin, and smoke into storytelling.
This spread is a celebration of that vision. And of the photographers whoโve helped define our look.
Model: Karina Gubanova
Issue: Jan/Feb 2018
Cigar: Villiger La Meridiana
Photographer: David Benoliel
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Model: Kourtney Kellar
Issue: July/Aug 2021
Cigar: Romeo Y Julieta Eternal
Photographer: David Benoliel
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Model: Daniela De Jesรบs Cosรญo
Issue: Nov/Dec 2020
Cigar: La Aurora 107 Nicaragua
Photographer: David Benoliel
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Model: Jessica Naz
Issue: Jan/Feb 2018
Cigar: Villiger La Meridiana
Photographer: David Benoliel
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REFLECTIONS OF BEAUTY
THE ART BEHIND THE MIRROR
Every shot tells two storiesโthe model you see, and the artistry that made her shine. Hair and makeup are central to the magic of our photoshoots, shaping mood, character, and confidence in ways that often go unnoticed. Whether itโs a glossy wave catching the light or a subtle highlight that draws the viewerโs eye, these details define the photograph long before the shutter clicks.
Behind every reflection you see on these pages is the work of our makeup artistsโprofessionals who understand how to balance creativity with precision. They build looks that complement the theme, the lighting, and the emotion of each shoot, ensuring that every model not only looks radiant but feels the part.
Over the years, weโve collaborated with a collection of artists whose vision and craft have elevated our imagery issue after issue. Their ability to translate concepts into beauty has shaped the aesthetic identity of this magazine. This spread is both a reflection of their talentโand a tribute to their artistry.
Model: Hayley Maxfield
Issue: Nov/Dec 2021
Cigar: Montecristo Epic Vintage 12
Hair And Makeup: Madeline Rouge
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Model: Susanna Canzian
Issue: Sept/Oct 2016
Cigar: Undercrown Shade
Hair And Makeup: Virginia Lefay
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FUR, FORM, AND FASHION
STYLING WITH HEAT AND ELEGANCE
Thereโs a reason furโreal or fauxโhas been a recurring theme in our editorials: itโs timeless, provocative, and unapologetically bold. Whether draped loosely over bare shoulders or cinched tight against glowing skin, fur styling has long played a starring role in our visual storytelling. It adds texture, luxury, and just the right amount of edge.
No matter how stunning the garment, the look comes to life under the eye of the fashion stylist. Every fur piece you see on these pages was chosen, placed, and styled with intent. From tone and silhouette to attitude and movement, the fashion direction of each shot is crafted by professionals who understand how to frame both body and narrative.
Over the years, we’ve collaborated with a range of stylists whose fingerprints are all over the pages of this magazine. We owe much of our visual identity to their creative instincts and attention to detail. This spread is about more than models and mink. Itโs about the power of styling to turn a wardrobe into a statement.
Model: Anna Louise
Issue: Jan/Feb 2019
Cigar: Casa Cuevas
Wardrobe Stylist: Barbara Bianchini
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Model: Alize B. Moura
Issue: Mar/Apr 2014
Cigar: Pinolero
Wardrobe Stylist: Hot Pink Styling
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Model: Kourtney Kellar
Issue: July/Aug 2021
Cigar: Romeo Y Julieta Eternal
Wardrobe Stylist: Francesca Lopresti
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THROUGH THE GLASS
THE POWER OF PLACE
Thereโs something voyeuristic about a model seen through a windowโespecially when sheโs framed by a luxurious home, lounging, cigar in hand. These images are about fashion, allure, and mood.
From oceanfront villas to modernist interiors, the locations in our editorial spreads have always been part of the story. The architectural lines, the light bouncing off polished floors or filtering through linen curtainsโthey shape the photo’s tone. These environments donโt appear by accident. Every location is scouted, selected, and shaped.
Which brings us to Ivan Ocampo, our producer, director, and the original visionary responsible for the Smoking Hot Cigar Snob editorial series, which debuted in issue three. Ivanโs eye for cinematic backdrops, his obsession with casting the best model, and his attention to detail have made Smoking Hot Cigar Snob a signature of the magazine. Today, the image of a stunning woman, cigar in hand, has become more than a page in a magazine. Itโs an icon that has earned praise and recognition from the cigar world and beyond.
This spread is a tribute to that vision.
Model: Kourtney Kellar
Issue: July/Aug 2021
Cigar: Romeo Y Julieta Eternal
Production: Ivan Ocampo
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Model: Natalie Golba
Issue: July/Aug 2019
Cigar: Herrera Esteli Norteรฑo
Production: Ivan Ocampo
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Model: Hayley Maxfield
Issue: Nov/Dec 2021
Cigar: Montecristo Epic Vintage 12
Production: Ivan Ocampo
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Model: Susanna Canzian
Issue: Sept/Oct 2016
Cigar: Undercrown Shade
Production: Ivan Ocampo
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TURN IT UP
HOW THEMES AND SPONSORS SHAPE THE MOOD
Music is more than background noise in our shoots. Whether itโs old-school hip-hop in a downtown loft or the rhythm of mellow jazz in a high-rise lounge, the soundtrack sets the tone.
It’s not just the sounds, sights and rhythm, that create our magic. Our editorial themes echo the identity of the brands we partner withโbrands that trust us to bring their identity to life on the page. Weโve been fortunate to work with some of the marquee names in the cigar world: Drew Estate, Altadis, Oliva, Davidoff, Gurkha, La Aurora, and others who have shaped not only the cigars we feature, but the creative direction of our photo spreads.
As you browse these pages featuring models in motion, keep in mind that what you see reflects well-considered themes, vision, and brand partnerships that drive our work, walking the tightrope between edge and elegance.
Model: Juliana Adorno
Issue: July/Aug 2022
Cigar: Joya De Nicaragua
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Model: Choice Gray
Issue: July/Aug 2010
Cigar: Carmelo Red
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