The shoot
This photo set was captured entirely on my Canon EOS 1N with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens. I wanted to challenge myself by working with a minimalist setup—no lights, no reflectors—just the camera, Daria, and the natural environment. It was meant to be more about the mood and the tone than it was about poses and classical compositions. The studio turned out to be a bit darker than I expected, but I managed to achieve a pleasing exposure, even when metering at 1/60s at f/1.4 for some of the shots, like those on the couch and at the breakfast table. While 1/60 is slightly outside my comfort zone for handheld shooting, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle motion blur that adds a touch of movement and atmosphere to these images.
I used two film stocks for this series: Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Tri-X 400. Originally, I had planned to shoot exclusively with Portra, but when I ran out, I switched to Tri-X. The contrast between the two stocks brings an unexpected and interesting variety to the final set, which I really enjoy.
Working with Daria was a pleasure. Her calm, adaptable energy perfectly complemented the tone of this shoot, bringing the concept to life in such an effortless way. You can see more of her incredible work here: Daria’s Portfolio.
