PHOTOGRAPHER: Darius Bashar
MODEL: Ryan "Pacman" Pakyam
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
I tried something new with this shoot, by asking Ryan to think about specific people and moments. I asked him to think about his mother, then after a few moments, I asked him to reflect on his father. I remember his instinctual reaction to thinking about his father, was to chuckle, but then once he got that out of the way, he settled into a deep and distinct look in his eyes. I watched as Ryan left the room and travel to a totally different time and place. It was pretty cool to experience from behind the camera.
ONE LESSON FROM THIS SHOOT:
This was the first and last time I booked two portrait shoots in one day. I realized that each portrait shoot had a transfer of emotional energy between myself and the model. These were not headshots or fashion photography. They were conversations between friends and they were often deep and personal. We both shared, we both opened up and were vulnerable. I discovered this is essential to my shooting style (for these types of shoots). Intimacy was required. So when the second model (Faramarz) came in at the end of our shoot, I had too much emotional residue from my time with Ryan to fully connect with Faramarz. This was an important lesson. I needed space and time to reflect, process and empty my head and heart. That way each new portrait could fill me up, without residue from the last.