Picture it: A sunny day in Santa Barbara. Oprah and a gaggle of
O staffers are at an editorial retreat at her home, brainstorming ideas on the patio. Oprah, an avid Instagrammer, wanted
O's covers to reflect the popular app's spontaneity. "I've got my phone—let's do a shoot right now!" cracked creative director Adam Glassman. Oprah stared at him for a moment, then said, "Okay, let's!" She changed into a
Michael Kors sweater and
Eileen Fisher pants; called her makeup artist, Derrick Rutledge; and said she'd do her own hair. Meanwhile, next to her outdoor grill, serving trays were covered in aluminum foil to create a makeshift reflector—what photographers use to even out natural light—and kitchen staffers were recruited to position the patio umbrellas to subdue the bright sunlight. As Oprah posed, Glassman, Gayle King, and managing editor Adam Bell all snapped pics, and in the end three shots from Glassman's iPhone 6 made the cover!
