I really get it that you must always say "Yes" to what is before you; both the good and even the not so good. And yes, goodness does come from "working with what you have."
This is the remarkable Isabelle from nextmodels who I had the opportunity to work with last Sunday. Thank you Isabelle. Twenty minutes before the call time for the shoot, the Hair & Makeup artist who is a real treasure, called to say that she would not be able to come for the shoot. Last minute cancellations use to send me into a little downward tale spin, and I still experience a momentary "dip" when this happens. But now, I am convinced that these situations are catalyst for a more focused, and rewarding alignment of creative energy.
The phone rings exactly at 10:00a.m., and Isabelle is right on time. I'm thinking to myself as I ride the elevator down to pick her up, "I hope she has a little makeup in her bag." I told her several days before that there would be a H&M artist. As I approached her some light from outside was reflecting off the skin on her face, beautifully, and I knew that we were going to be OK. "As Is," sometimes, most times, is what's most perfect for the moment. I would not even have to use my standby trick of using a couple drops of baby oil on a damp cloth to get a makeup "look." Her Mother, the fabulous Marie-Paule was with her, and would end up being the true "star" of the day.
I tell Isabelle that we would be on our own for H&M as we are riding up the elevator. She doesn't seem phased, and still excited about shooting. I breathed easier. I get them settled, and we just talk for a short while as we're looking and arranging the clothing that she has brought. I asked her to bring items that reflected her style, and she was well prepared. Marie-Paule had planned on visiting with some friends while Isabelle and I were shooting. When we met downstairs I told her that she was more than welcomed to stay, and that I would enjoy having her with us. I confess that I did not immediately tell her that she was going to work.
I brought Isabelle to the area where we would be shooting, so that she could get a feel for what was going to be happening. The same light that I first noticed downstairs was present in the shooting space. All that was needed was ready, so I said, "let's shoot right now, don't change anything." I did not want to wait or risk tampering with the perfection of the moment. I immediately began shooting. I noticed that she was eager, but nervously shaking a little. I had to address this quickly because I was shooting with available light at around 1/60 of a second.
I stopped shooting gave her the camera, switched places with her, and had her take pictures of me to get her to relax more. This helped some, but not much as I needed. I shot a little more to see if her nerves would calm down. I could still see a little shaking. I confess that I was ignoring the fact that this was only her second shoot. So, I resorted to the thing that all the guys I shoot love to do, without be asked, Push-ups. Isabelle had just started to say "I can't..." when I interrupted to her say "yes you can." So, there we both were on the floor doing push-ups. I think I got 10 or so from her. It worked. She was flushed, but now, still. I love her innocence in those first shots.
I'm certain that Marie-Paule was a little nervous seeing this start of the shoot, but she did not say anything. Marie-Paule was the star of the shoot because while Isabelle and I were working and having fun, she took on the roles of Asst Photographer, Stylist, Hair & Makeup Artist (we only added mascara and lip gloss), and Cook. Yes, she even prepared lunch so that we could continue shooting. She did the most important jobs of the day, with no complaints. Thank you Marie-Paule for being you, and for being there.
The remainder of the shoot flowed with wonderful results. Isabelle and I were connected, in the "zone." The first shot I took was at 10:43a.m., and the last shot (right photo) was taken at 4:29:31p.m. What you see in the last shot is "real," and that is why I love it. I confess that I did not pay attention to the fact that the sun was beating down on Isabelle's back, even though the air conditioner was on and the space was cool. It was very hot last Sunday, much warmer and humid than today. I was shooting the last look, when Isabelle suddenly said, "I don't feel well," and reached for her head. This photo shows that precise moment. I only shot this one frame before stopping to check on Isabelle. I learned that she had not been feeling well the day before. I stopped the shoot and felt good that we had done some good work. and we had fun. I love "working" days like this. Thank you Isabelle for being you, and for being there.
I confess that still, after all of these years of shooting I want more and more images. I confess that I do not quickly say "I've got the shot," even when I know that I have it. I confess that some Hair, Makeup, and Stylist artists have stopped working with me because I easily fall into that "shooting zone,"which might look and feel to them like "forever." I confess that I am concern for their feelings, but I confess that I have always been, and will always be more concerned about the imagery. And I confess, I'm living my dream, and hope that you are.
Be Well,
Samuel
