Part of being really damn good at what you do is learning how to see patterns.
Every single woman I’ve had a planning session with, leading up to her session, saves inspiration photos that don’t include eye contact.
There are lots of photographs of movement, blur, body parts, and looking off camera.
It happens EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I always ask why.
“Does the thought of you looking right at me feel more vulnerable than you being naked in front of my camera?”
“Why is that?”
Then I sit in the uncomfortable vulnerability.
I hold space.
This is a time for reflection and bravery. It’s not a time for me to step in and put my thoughts forward.
When I mentor other photographers I tell them my best advice for getting artful photos, as well as building that trust with the women you photograph, is to hold space for silence.
Ask hard questions and then be quiet.
As women we have so few safe spaces. We have few moments where we can tell our truths and no one will judge us. Few experiences that are about us and our pain and triumphs.
Every session I end up getting at least one photograph of them looking directly at me.
Often times it becomes their favorite.
