Some photoshoots come and go quickly, a single moment in time. But then there are the collaborations that grow roots and deepen with every passing year. This session was one of those moments, carrying the weight of thirteen years of shared history between myself and my favorite model.
Over the years, we’ve created images that speak to the values I hold most dear—quiet beauty, slow living, and intentional artistry.
"It’s in the quiet rhythm of showing up again and again that something meaningful begins to grow."
For over thirteen years, I’ve worked with the same model, someone I deeply trust. While I’ve photographed others, nothing compares to the comfort and quiet confidence she brings to each session. Even when her face isn’t visible, that sense of trust radiates through the lens.
Before each session, we sit down and talk through every detail—the purpose of the shoot, the story behind the images, and the emotional tone I hope to capture. We cover practical things like clothing, styling, and even nail polish or undergarments for sheer fabrics. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about ensuring she feels completely comfortable and prepared. I’ll often share inspiration images in advance so she knows the vision I’m working toward, and I always invite her to contribute her own ideas.
At the heart of it all is modesty and mutual respect. As a photographer, I feel a deep responsibility to honor the body in front of my camera, never to objectify it. Every pose and every frame is guided by care and collaboration. We talk openly about boundaries, and I want her to feel like a partner in the process, not just a subject.
When I arrive for a shoot, she always greets me with a smile and often helps carry equipment inside. It is a small gesture, but one that speaks to the mutual respect we’ve built over the years. From the very beginning, my priority has been making sure she feels seen, appreciated, and never rushed. Without her, the work would not exist in the way it does, and I never take that for granted.
We take our time. That is something I have learned is non-negotiable. I build it into the rhythm of every session. We unpack together, lay out props or products, and talk through the vision again before anything begins. It gives us space to settle in—not just physically, but mentally too. This kind of photography is about so much more than snapping a picture. It is about entering a shared headspace where both of us feel grounded and inspired.
Throughout the shoot, I check in regularly. How does that pose feel? Are you warm enough? Do we need a break? Her comfort is not just a priority; it is essential to the way the final images look and feel. And honestly, I have a real trooper in her. She shows up with grace, joy, and an eagerness to collaborate. On this particular day, we experienced a real anomaly: a chill on a July morning that required a sweater. It is little details like that which make the day memorable.
We laugh a lot. We adjust things, shift a hand, smooth a wrinkle in fabric. But we always move together. I trust her instincts, and she trusts mine. That kind of relationship does not happen overnight. It is built slowly, over years of care and consistent work.
I always go to her. Her home is her space—her safest space—and I believe it is imperative that she feels that. It is where she is most at ease, and that ease shows in every image we create. Yes, it takes a little more effort to pack up my gear and bring everything along, but I would not have it any other way.
There is something sacred about meeting someone where they are, both physically and emotionally. It sets the tone for the whole session. We are not rushing. We are not staging. We are creating something that feels real—because it is.
During this particular shoot, I found myself in that unique space where something feels both familiar and brand new. We used many of our go-to poses and props—the ones we know work so well and also a few new things.
We talked, as we always do, about rolling with the punches and staying open to what unfolds naturally. Some of our very best images have come from unplanned moments, those little sparks that just happen when we trust the process. I often laugh, usually mid-stumble, when trying something unfamiliar, but it is always easier with a model who is so relaxed and easygoing.
Every single time we shoot together, I learn something new. I see a familiar object—or a familiar person—in a completely new light. That is what keeps me coming back. The blend of trust, collaboration, and quiet discovery. I love that.
One of my favorite moments from this shoot was capturing a simple floral footbath scene. On that chilly July morning, we filled a basin with warm water and scattered fresh blooms across the surface—an unexpected bit of comfort in the middle of our workday. We laughed as we called it our "spa session," pampering the model while technically still on the clock. The image we created feels gentle and quiet, but behind it is a memory of warmth, laughter, and the small luxuries we allow in the name of art.
I always share the final product with her. Imagine being part of the behind-the-scenes and never seeing how it played out. She deserves to see the finished images—not just because she is in them, but because she helped shape them. It is a shared creation, and that recognition matters.
One of our most unexpected moments together resulted in the image below: an illuminated pine cone, glowing in the frame like a small miracle. It was never planned. We were simply exploring and following our instincts, and suddenly, there it was—perfectly lit, perfectly timed. When I reverse image search it on Google, I see it everywhere. It has been passed around without going through the proper channels of purchase, which can be frustrating, but it also speaks to its success and the way it resonates with people.
That single image has been licensed over four hundred times through Getty Images. It has appeared in countless articles and seasonal pieces, shared far beyond what I imagined that day when I clicked the shutter. It is a reminder that sometimes, the simplest, most unexpected moments have the greatest impact.
Working this way reminds me why I am so passionate about what I call slow business. The kind of work that is built on intention, trust, and time. It values relationships over algorithms and real moments over manufactured ones. It is not rushed. It is not about producing a hundred images as quickly as possible. It is about creating work that feels rooted and lasting.
That same philosophy shapes how I approach photography. I want every image to feel like it belongs to that world—intentional, thoughtful, and timeless. My favorite collaborations are the ones that give space for exploration, laughter, and shared purpose, where the process matters just as much as the outcome.
There is a certain magic in this kind of work. A quiet rhythm to showing up again and again, to meeting someone where they are and building something beautiful together. The images we create are a reflection of that care. They feel lived-in and real because they are born out of mutual respect and trust.
Here’s to more days like this one. More stories worth telling. And more quiet, beautiful collaborations along the way.
In closing, here is a glimpse into some of our earlier work together—moments of discovery, growth, and connection captured through the years.
Warmly,
Michelle
