PHOTOGRAPHER: Darius Bashar
MODEL: Kristin "Sunshine" Dorsey
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
When Kristin showed up at my place, the first thing she told me was that she nearly cancelled our shoot. She was having an emotional day (as we all do, at some point) and wasn't sure if she'd be up for photos. I remember instinctively feeling grateful that she was comfortable enough to shared that honest sentiment with me. It allowed us to connect deeper, as we quickly dove past the surface small talk. My heart told me there were emotions that were fighting to shine through Kristin and also that her mind was trying hard to push those sincere emotions back down. This tension between the mind and the heart is familiar to all of us. We need both the mind and the heart to survive, but we also need to know when to lead with our hearts, if we want to thrive.
My goal is to create a safe space for people to give their minds a rest and allow their hearts to play. The truth is that everyone starts our session in their heads. That's totally fine - I prefer it. But eventually the mind bows out and that's when the magic happens. At first it's just a single "heart photo" that sneaks through, then slowly the ratio grows and almost always by the end, it's a totally reversal. It's as if the mind just gives up and finally allows our hearts to play together.
That moment when Kristin and I began to really connect was very special to me. We both got to really see each other. Then we got to see ourselves, in the other. She told me stories about growing up in California and summer nights as a teenager, driving through the streets. I could feel the wind, I could hear the sounds. I watched as Kristin time travelled to those very real moments and eventually I joined her.
It was a little vacation for both of us.
ONE LESSON FROM THIS SHOOT:
When people walk in with their emotions bubbling to the surface, this is an opportunity to create something special together.