A Wonderful Opportunity
Diana and Cristina, this is one of my all-time favourite duet portraits I have taken in fifty-five years of photography.
Once in a while, the stars are aligned to present an opportunity that was never even on the horizon.
In the early 1970s, Sheridan College photography students (including me) and fashion design students attended classes in the same building. We often worked together on fashion and photography projects. It was a mutually beneficial exercise. I loved the challenge.
What’s not to love? They were young women, mostly; they loved being in front of a camera (THE MAIN APPEAL), they were wearing clothes they designed and were dressed up for the occasion. It was a great win-win.
Since then, I have only had a couple of runway photography opportunities. They were just ok. The problem was that it was in such a harried and busy environment, with no latitude, as the models only had one job: to reach the end, spin, and return. As a result, it didn’t create any need or want on my part to pursue it. Simply put, it didn’t provide the control I would like.
I love the one-on-one aspect, as well as the ability to alter poses, spin, and work with various compositions, light and motion. No competition from other photographers for the right angles, no organizer’s egos to work with. I am not built for that world, and that’s ok.
This story started with me hiding in my room from the heat of the day, as we had an outing planned later. I received a text message from Monique that there was a young lady who would love to have her picture taken. She met her in the pool, and they started a conversation about photography. Monique suggested that I would enjoy it as well.
I went down to the pool with my trusty camera bag. Diana was really friendly and affable, blessed with the most beautiful smile that lit up her whole face. Monique told me that she and her friend travelled on this trip without their boyfriends, because they took lousy pictures of them.
We decided I would shoot a few pictures. Little did I know…
Diana & Cristina
When Diana and Cristine showed up in flowing dresses and seemed game for a magazine-type shoot, we went to the edge of the cliff overlooking the dune. I was entranced by their willingness to pose, and I was in one of those photography zones I often speak about.
What followed was the most incredible photo shoot—alternating between Diana and Christina, then both of them, changing lenses, then the first one, followed by the other, and then both. We changed location a couple of times to get a different background.
The wind really challenged us, but it also provided the flow and action in the hair, something that professional magazine photo shoots strive for. This was literally what a magazine photography session is like.
The girls were great sports, and we could have spent hours shooting. In retrospect, I could have easily taken more shots.
Diana
Cristina
Thank you, Cristina and Diana, for providing a truly memorable experience. Most of all, thank you, Monique and Chris for looking after your cousin and dad. You gave me one of my most rewarding and memorable photo shoots ever in fifty-five years of photography.
So what’s next?
In addition to two new book projects, I am expanding the site's content and refining the information displayed. At some point, I will try to turn it into a business. Right now, I’m pursuing any opportunities that present themselves.
Only the universe knows. I am working on making photography a much bigger part of my retirement. I am looking for dance, portraits, boudoir, musicians, landscapes, and whatever the universe provides me with in terms of opportunities.
I will entertain anything behind the lens.