Very few things give me as much joy as the process of image-making; realizing a vision that’s been stuck in my mind is exhilarating!

I met with Adina for our first shoot in a location I scouted before, so my mind was impregnated with specific shots I had in mind, but as we began shooting, Adina started suggesting her own ideas, and soon enough I was pleased to follow along.

The day was windy, so Adina’s hair was hard to control. I always prefer to have long hair behind shoulders as it brings emphasis on the person’s posture and elongates the form, but following her direction gave us these awesome shots where her hair does its own thing and showcases the wisdom of her 20 years in full splendor.

This shoot with Adina taught me that letting the subject contribute with ideas is not a subject for negotiation, and it’s important to follow along! That said, I don’t feel I compromise anything when I listen and follow directions from a model; if anything, it leads to a win-win situation; not only it allows me to see from a different vantage point but also creates an environment for a creative collaboration.

To Follow Adina on IG: @Adina_NYC