When I first thought of how to shoot this lovely gray t-shirt, the plan was to keep it simple and only do a half shot capturing the details around the collar. As soon as I arrived at the location though, I saw the lovely tones on the vintage mattress and became totally inspired to try a cutesy shot of the model just wearing the shirt on the bed. From there, I mentioned my plan to the crew and in a few seconds… Voila! I had some socks borrowed from our location hostess, and we were on our way to try my new concept of ‘girl getting dressed’ (or undressed!).

A lot of times the process of a shot is like that. You come prepared with an idea, but that changes into something completely different (hopefully better) on the spot. That is why I choose to remain open in the process, and why I expect my crew to stay flexible if things change. Sometimes changes are due to the weather, an issue with a garment, with the model, with the lighting, and at times, it’s simply how a shot evolves.

Do you experience that in your photo shoots as well? Do you ever start with a concept and before you know it, it’s turned into a completely different and pleasant surprise? How comfortable are you with changing your plan on the spot?

It’s funny how it goes. I knew I wanted to create another post today, so I came down to my studio, selected a couple of images that I wanted to share, and when I put them together, the title came forward and introduced itself: The dance. Pause. I looked at the words and contemplated what kind of post could possibly come out of that. My original idea, as mentioned in my previous post, was to share a bit of my process. So… Hmmm. The dance. Another tiny pause, and then, suddenly, I began typing and the post emerged.

I only share this, because the irony is that whether we are writing or shooting, the process is the same as in dancing. If we think too much, break it down line by line, shot by shot, step by step, we will never write that post, take that shot or make a good impression on the dance floor. And even if we do, it will never be all that it could have been if we had just felt it all, letting the thing create itself.

So before I get ahead of myself and start sharing “my process”, I want to tell you the most important lesson I’ve learned this far. You have to let the thing you’re doing, wash over you. I remember that at the start of my first fashion shoot ever, I thought: “Oh my! I’m sure good at bringing all the good talent together and putting up a circus, but can I deliver? And can I be on my game in front of a whole crew?” Then we started… And the next thing I remember was me, sitting inside my packed car, ready to go home after the shoot. Only then, clarity had come back to me. Turns out I’d been in complete trance the entire time. Since then, regardless of my clients or crew, every shoot is still just like that first one for me. There is a bunch of work that comes prior to the shoot to make sure all the pieces will be there, available to me on the day. But the truth is, when I step on set, I no longer think or plan. I just feel the moment, my connection with the model, with the team, with the tiny images coming through the viewfinder. There is no longer a process. Just me and that world. And in that world, I let go and I dance.

xo