I'd done the preparation work before we even met in person. A Milanote plan (thanks a ton, Cat Martel for the introduction to this tool), sent ahead of time, with the aesthetic direction, shot list, and the shape of the session mapped out. That kind of groundwork matters to me. It means the day isn't spent figuring out what we're doing. It means we can just roll up our sleeves and do it.
She's a cuddlist. A touch therapist. And she was exactly as I'd imagined from our conversations: calm, reflective, present. She has tattoos across most of her body and eyes that hold your attention. There's a depth to her that doesn't need to be performed for the camera. Like me, one of the models working with us that day hadn't had any experience with cuddling therapy before. When she found out it was a paid profession, she said, out loud, 'You get paid for that?' Everyone laughed, including the client. That kind of ease is what you want early in a session. It breaks the ice. Sets an informal tone and creates familiarity.
It always amazes me how much work is done before I even pick up my camera.
This is what she does. The session needed images that showed the practice clearly, and these do. A person lying down, hands at work, the room quiet around them. I didn't need to direct much here. She knows this.
The Milanote plan gave us a shared language before we arrived. By the time we were shooting, there was nothing to negotiate. She knew what we were building, I knew what she needed, and the session moved at its own pace. Leiden gave us the right kind of light and the right kind of quiet for it.
If you're interested in branding / headshots photography, reach out. I'd love to hear from you.
