My first shoot with SHEI Magazine was definitely one to remember. With our models canceling last minute and no shoot director on hand, most of us were new to studio shoots — but we managed to pull it together and make it work. Scrambling to find new models and organizing everything on the fly felt challenging, but in the end, I’m proud of what we created. Esther’s experience with studio lighting made a big difference — and honestly, watching a bunch of YouTube tutorials paid off! The dancers brought their own ideas and poses, which made the shoot really dynamic.

Surprisingly, my background as a personal trainer helped out more than I expected. For some of the movement-based shots, being able to suggest tweaks to their positioning really brought the concepts to life. Directing poses and communicating ideas translated well from training to photography.

There were a few hiccups, like the fog machine setting off the fire alarm (thankfully, a false alarm!), but overall, I think we nailed the concepts, especially with the dramatic silhouette shots and jumps in the air. Studio photography is such a different world — working around space, lighting, and creative ideas is a constant puzzle, but I’m looking forward to learning more and improving with each shoot!