Smoke & Mirrors: Creative Portrait Shoot with Wendy
As a creative photographer, I’m always looking to push my limits and work with people who inspire me. My recent shoot with Wendy was one of those moments where everything just fell into place effortlessly.
Wendy was a makeup artist in Melbourne before she moved back to the States. I’d been following her on Instagram for ages, and finally had the perfect chance to meet when I booked her to do my makeup for an event. From the first conversation, we clicked over our love of all things spiritual and ‘90s Hip Hop / R&B (any SWV fans out there?). She’s got this calming energy that makes you feel like you’ve known her forever. Our conversation flowed so naturally…from our pasts and future plans to our creative passions.
As we got talking about our creative projects, we realised our aesthetics aligned in all the right ways & our Pinterest boards had some crazy similarities—think bold, bathrooms, mirrors, smoky vibes, and a whole lot of moody lighting. It didn’t take long before we were brainstorming & planning a shoot together, Wendy would model and do her own hair and makeup, and I’d capture all the magic through my lens.
A week later, I messaged Wendy to lock in a Saturday shoot at my apartment. Fun fact: I have this low-key obsession with shooting in bathrooms (the lighting, reflections, the whole mood of it). Turns out, Wendy’s Pinterest was full of bathroom shots too, so it felt like the universe had it all mapped out. I’m all about connection and keeping things authentic, so I prefer shooting on location or working with small, intimate spaces. It forces me to get creative, and it always leads to something unique and boy, was this shoot the perfect example of that!
We spent most of the shoot in my bathroom, and to add to the vibe, Wendy lit up a spliff. The potent scent enveloped the room, adding a relaxed, nostalgic energy to the shoot. Somewhere in between shots, Wendy even gave me a haircut. It was just one of those afternoons where everything flowed naturally.
Im sad we met just before she moved back to the States, but I’m so grateful we made this happen before she set off on her “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure in Bali and Vietnam.
Wendy, if you’re reading this from across the globe, I’m sending all the good vibes your way. There really is no place like home, but I’m glad Melbourne was a part of your journey for a little while!
Looking for a creative Melbourne portrait or fashion photographer? Whether it's bold, intimate, or something totally unexpected, I love working with eclectic creatives on shoots that challenge the norm. Get in touch, and let's create something amazing together.