124 ☼ My Favorite Shoot of 2023
Embracing laughter and waterworks
Dear friends,
This week's letter is about one of my favorite shoots of 2023. I was in the studio with friend and comedian Lara Ricote who is preparing to tour her new one-woman show. We created images for posters, press, and social media.
☀️ Shout out to my friends at Squarespace for helping make this issue possible ☀️
Capturing Laughter and Waterworks
This week I’m bringing you along for one of my favorite shoots of 2023: a collaboration to craft images for Mexican-American comedian Lara Ricote's upcoming one-woman show, "Little Tiny Wet Show (Baptism)," set to tour the UK in February and March of 2024 as a series of work-in-progress shows.
Before the shutter clicked, Lara and I had series of brainstorms and phone calls and a sit-down meeting with her manager, Brìd, to hone in on a creative vision that could carry the message of the show and spark interest around the tour.
Lara's show revolves around the act of baptizing, a theme she wanted to subtly weave into our visuals. Luckily, my favorite Amsterdam studio, Studio 13, boasts a wet studio with showers and a bathtub—perfect for bringing Lara's vision to life.
Our creative odyssey began with simple, elegant portraits, capturing the essence of Lara for press and promotional materials (see above). Sporting a few different outfits, Lara's expressions painted a canvas of warmth, maturity, and just the right touch of playfulness. The combination of continuous and strobe light added a friendly glow, ensuring our shots exuded approachability.
Next up we traveled a bit further down into the artistic realm with some experimental portraits, exploring the interplay of flowers, shadows, and colors. These shots were crafted around the idea that they could be used as portraits alongside future features and interviews teasing potential audiences with glimpses of Lara's upcoming tour.
Then came the pièce de résistance – Lara's Victorian sleeping robe. We started with editorial portraits, building up to the moment when we unleashed the water.
Lara, a trooper in every sense, navigated a range of emotions while the water cascaded around her. Action shots captured her movement (see below).
Next up, we focused on closeup portraits. The downpour of water added a subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, layer connecting to the show's concept and title.
A chance moment, as Lara squeezed water from her hair, yielded an unexpected gem—a shot that unintentionally transformed into a captivating fashion image (see left, below).
This shoot quickly became one of my favorites this year. Why? Well, besides the obvious visual delights, Lara was an absolute joy to work with. Her willingness to embrace anything, coupled with expressive collaboration, created a dynamic synergy. Trust, that magical ingredient, flowed freely, resulting in an elevated creative process and results we were both incredibly excited about. We got way more than we needed, which is always the luxury “problem” I aim for with every shoot.
Collaborating with actors and comedians is a unique thrill. Their knack for inhabiting personas and expressing emotions on stage or camera brings an added dimension to a portrait shoot. Plus, they don't shy away from looking a bit silly, giving us a broad spectrum to play with, from the subtly sublime to the outright hilarious.
As a photographer, there's nothing quite like the dance of two creative minds, sparring and collaborating to craft moments and stories. At the pinnacle of a creative portrait shoot the trust and camaraderie between photographer and subject create a symbiotic relationship, elevating the entire process to one that flows and breaths and sparks bursts of inspiration and fun.
Before we wrap up, let me take a moment to highly recommend checking out Lara's comedy. If you find yourself in Europe, keep an eye out for her tour through her instagram—it promises laughter, depth, and a unique storytelling experience. I’ve seen, and loved, a work-in-progress show already and you can’t miss it.
Looking to 2024, I'm excited to do more shoots that push creative boundaries in this same way. The collaborative spirit with clients like Lara, where experimentation and trust intertwine, is one of the things that fuels my passion for photography.
To see more images, including more behind-the-scenes images, check out the web version of this issue. Shout out to Thor Kristjánsson for the assist and bts, and to the team at Studio 13 for being wonderful and professional.
Once the posters are done I will include one in a future issue so you can also see the work in-use and how much design can add to a photograph.
Takeaway
I hope this issue can be a nudge that helps you embrace your creative instincts. Come up with a concept, grab your camera, find a friend or family member or local performer that you can create a comfortable and fun environment with. Embrace the fun of co-creation! Find the stories that matter to you, and tell them with your camera.
That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this issue I’d love for you to share it with friends.
Next Week: An announcement I’m very excited about. Also coming up, creative goal setting for a new year.
Keep shooting and take good care of yourselves and others. <3
Wesley
PS A great way to support Process is to order my photo book NOTICE. It makes for a great holiday present as well. Giving art to friends is like planting a seed of beauty.
Gear & Tools Used
Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV, Fujifilm x100f.
Lab: All my analog work is developed and scanned by my friends at Carmencita Film Lab. They’re my favorite lab. Use code “PROCESS” to get a free size upgrade.
Website: A huge thank you to Squarespace for making this edition of Process a reality. If you need a website, I highly recommend Squarespace. I've been a satisfied customer for over 10 years (!!!) – it's incredibly user-friendly, allowing me to effortlessly create and maintain a beautiful and professional portfolio and webshop.
Use the code PROCESS10 for 10% off your first order.
I love that tighter portrait where she has one eye closed; the one just above the bts shot of her leaping in the flash. Such a great shot. Maybe this is better suited for a post but I'd love to hear how you navigate those creative brainstorms with a subject? Are you bringing ideas to the table or are you more fishing inspiration from the subject? I'm always interested in the inception of these photos. Thanks!
Super fun shoot.
It is always such a delight when the subject brings something exciting to the shoot. When they join you in trying to make the shoot go as well as possible, it triples - not doubles - the creative flow. I really like the portraits.
Happy holidays on the horizon.