Hello :)
It’s me again, Lea.
My time at She Wanders has been wonderful so far. My personal highlight was a photoshoot Suzanne initiated just for me, so I could learn how she directs models. This was something I really wanted to learn, naturally, I was thrilled when Suzanne announced that we were going to do a photoshoot at Balboa Park and I would get to choose the model.
We met in the afternoon at Balboa Park with my friend Lucy and then wandered off to different spots to catch the golden hour light. It was amazing to see how Suzanne was able to read the light in a matter of seconds and could quickly decide which location would make for a great photo. While doing that and in the whole process of shooting she communicated with Lucie to get to know her and build a connection. The most important advice that I took away from Suzanne’s directing was that it is important to get a sense for the person in front of the camera. This way you can find the balance of directing and granting freedoms to allow room to capture the essence of the person.
It is incredible to realize how much multitasking a photoshoot requires. You have to read the light, find an interesting composition, set your camera, and direct the model, all at the same time. A lot of this is practice, and this shoot motivated me to practice a lot more. It was magical to see how Suzanne does all of that with an unmatched lightness, positivity, and empathy for the model.
This amazing opportunity has sparked a new joy in taking photos of people and has inspired me to keep working on all my insecurities to become a better photographer.
These are my favorite photos I took of Lucy.
