I met and photographed Natalia (TFP) on such a beautiful Saturday morning in the summer. She was easy to relate to as an artist: she recently finished her studies in biology when Covid threw a wrench in the job market (and global economy). She wanted to try modelling as a pastime until life picks up again. I respect the artists that create when there’s nothing to gain but art itself and this shoot was exactly that: a small break from daily mundanity and a tap into the creative. If I took anything away from this shoot it was how character makes all the difference. She had a great deal of sarcasm that had to break through the facade of stiff professionalism before it showed on camera. I truly believe it was the banter that allowed her to open up by the end to show emphasized gestures and facial expressions that made her image set. We joked how she would be a great hand model; she was very comfortable with her hand on/near her head, which we made the most of, and I’m sure as she continues modelling we’ll see strong use of hand/arm gestures in her poses!
