Traveling in January
Apparently, it does rain in Southern California. At least it did while we were there. Despite locals repeatedly telling us that the weather is “never like this,” we found ourselves caught in heavy rainfall more often than not. There were even some floods in the area, and a few places were put on standby for possible evacuation, which thankfully never happened.
When I booked this particular studio on Peerspace, I was really hoping for that golden late-afternoon sun. The kind that pours through big dusty windows and makes everything feel warm and cinematic. Justin, the owner, was incredibly kind and welcoming, and his studio is absolutely gorgeous. I intentionally booked just after noon because January light should have been hitting those windows perfectly, and honestly, that’s what sold me on the space when I first saw the listing.
But the weather had other plans, and that turned out to be okay too. I actually loved the way the balcony looked when it was wet, and Kate didn’t mind the rain much either. It shifted the energy of the shoot in a really nice way. Everything felt more relaxed, more casual, and a little more fluid. We couldn't shoot inside as much as I would have liked because of light levels, but I think we made good use of the outdoor spaces.
The Shoot
I hadn’t shot with Kate in about three years, since she moved from Canada to the Golden State. Thankfully, she was more than willing to shoot together while I was visiting. It's always great shooting with her. She’s one of those rare people who is both deeply professional and genuinely creative, the kind of collaborator who makes the whole process feel effortless.
I brought along a few rolls of my favourite film, Kodak Portra 400, and my trusty Canon EOS 1N. I kept things simple and only packed one lens, the humble Canon EF 50mm 1.8. Not the newer version or the USM, just the original cheap little plastic and glass lens that has quietly earned its place in my bag over the years.
Behind the Scenes
Below is a short behind-the-scenes video from the shoot. It shows Kate and I working together as the images took shape, moving through setups, small adjustments, and the moments in between. You’ll hear bits of conversation as we go, giving a sense of how the session unfolded in real time.
The video was kindly shot by my love, Courtney, who was a huge help throughout the day. Having her there made everything run more smoothly, and I’m grateful she was able to capture these moments as they happened.
The Photos
