130 ☼ The Power of Preparation
A client studio shoot + an experiment
Dear friends,
In this week's letter: the power of preparation and connection, plus the joy of experimentation. One studio day, one model, one actor, one assistant.
☀️ Shout out to my friends at Squarespace for helping make this issue possible ☀️
Housekeeping
The first Process Projected exhibition, Noah Kalina’s "Everyday", is up for a few more days. On Tuesday we will debut the second installment, Erinn Springer’s beautiful series "Dormant Season", which will be on display from February 6–19. To learn more about Erinn, her work, opening times, etc. subscribe to
.Some of my new still life street photography was featured by my friends at Film Ferrania. Check out five new images on their instagram.
Thomas Hammoudi highlights my book "NOTICE" as part of a movement of photo books which to him seem “in the same vein, representing a current trend in photography.” It’s a thoughtful analysis and also includes books by Jack Davison, and Sarah van Rij & David van der Leeuw. Check it out on YouTube (in French).
An Actor, A Model, and an Assistant
Last week was a busy one with client shoots. One of my favorite days was spent at my beloved Studio 13 in Amsterdam getting creative in a session with the fantastic duo, Joana, an actress/model, and Fiscal, a film producer-turned-model, and Simón who was my assistant for the day,
Let me set the scene for you. A studio filled with good vibes, music, laughter, and the creative energy flowing between Joana, Fiscal and the team. These two brought their unique needs to the table – Joana, seeking those captivating closer portraits for casting, while Fiscal aimed for those catalog-ready full-body shots.
What made this shoot so much fun was the seamless blend of professionalism and playfulness. Despite Fiscal's relative newcomer status in front of the camera, his behind-the-scenes experience shone through, adding a layer of comfort to the session.
Joana and I, having a background in the Amsterdam improv comedy scene, already shared a lovely rapport. We kicked off the shoot by putting on a playlist of some of her favorite music. Turned out, we share a lot of favorites and I even got to pick up some tunes and artists I didn’t know yet. Music is a fantastic tool in the studio. It helps make people comfortable, it guides movement, and it distracts in the best way.
Playfulness was key, but so was preparation. Both Joana and Fiscal came prepared with mood-boards including their desires and dislikes. A visual roadmap that made our collaborative experience crystal clear. It's not every day clients come in this prepared, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer!
Once we made our way through the individual shots, I decided that chemistry deserves its spotlight. Though couple's portraits weren't initially on the agenda, Joana and Fiscal's connection was undeniable. A little bonus gift – capturing those moments of genuine togetherness. A thank you for their trust and a reminder that magic often happens off-script.
As the main shoot wrapped and Joana and Fiscal headed out, we found ourselves with some extra time. What did we do? We dove headfirst into experimental creativity! My assistant, Simón Ducos, with his chunky Mamiya RB67 in hand, became the model, and we tried out a bunch of new things.
Without any restrictions we played with colored gels, flash and continuous lights, snoots, deep shadows, and moody obstructions. Think moody author photos, but for a photographer. An unexpected twist that turned out to be quite magical and a new way.
Takeaways
Now, let's distill some takeaways from our day:
Craft a Tight Mood-Board — It's your roadmap to success. Ask the client to make one of their own. Joana allowed me to share hers from this shoot which you can download below. It’s one of the most helpful ones I’ve received.
Don’ts Are Important Too — Knowing what your client doesn’t want is as crucial as knowing what they do want. Check out Joana’s moodboard for good examples.
Embrace Experimentation – If time allows, let your creativity run wild because you might just discover something new.
Additional Reading
Some relevant issues from the archives that seamlessly connect to this cure
027 ☼ Giving Clients What They Want + Showing Them What They Need
077 ☼ My Pre-Shoot Checklist
105 ☼ How to Be A Good Photography Assistant
So, there we have it, here's the essence of it all: Grab your camera, let your curiosity lead you, connect with and listen to the person you’re collaborating with, and create moments that matter. Whether it's with friends, family, or the world around you, let your unique voice resonate through your lens.
Shout out to Simón who did a great job assisting and being the experimental muse.
That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this issue I’d love for you to share it with friends.
Next Week: My experience of finally getting to shoot with a modern-day digital Pentax DLSR, their flagship K3 iii.
Keep shooting and take good care of yourselves and others. <3
Wesley
PS Don’t forget to sign up for Process Projected newsletter. Work by inspiring contemporary photographers twice a month.
PPS Want to support Process? Consider buying my photo book NOTICE.
Gear & Tools Used
Camera: All images were shot on the Canon 5D Mark IV with Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM and Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM lenses. These links take you over to MPB.com which is my go-to place to buy, sell, and trade used cameras and lenses. I love their service and am a paying customer. MPB caters to over 625,000 visual storytellers and provides a 6-month warranty. Thanks for the support, MPB! <3
Lab: All my analog work is developed and scanned by my friends at Carmencita Film Lab. They’re my favorite lab in the world. Use code “PROCESS” to get a free upgrade.
Website: Shout out to Squarespace for supporting Process. If you need a website, I highly recommend using Squarespace. I’ve been a paying customer for over 10 years (!!?). It’s an easy, professional, and affordable way to have a beautiful portfolio website and webshop. Use the code PROCESS10 for 10% off your first order.
Such a great read, thanks for giving us a peek into the day. Also, didn't know you could attach downloads here Always dope to see creatives sharing prep assets, thanks for the tip!
The moodboard filled with previous shots and precise references is pure gold. What a pleasure to work with customers like that!