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As a photographer, I’m deeply acquainted with the weather and sunshine apps on my phone. We’re always scoping for when the best light will hit a thing, and then hoping pretty hard that the sky delivers on the shoot day. Sometimes we’re hoping for a thunderstorm, but it’s less frequently on the vibes wish-list than the cinematic warmth of some morning or evening rays. That’s what was needed for this shoot for Wellington’s beloved institution, Cafe L’Affare, to welcome diners into the space to enjoy their fresh and comforting menu, and a spruced up interior. The skies opened just after I arrived in the space at about 6:15am, and instead of the pretty golden dawn we’d been anticipating, there was a tangible gloom. I’ve dealt with inclement weather enough times to feel pretty comfortable cheating the sunlight with some carefully placed strobes, and that knowledge served me well during this shoot. Location lighting wasn’t always something I gravitated towards as a younger creative, but I’ve come to really appreciate the power of manufacturing my own mood, through light. The thing I really love about that situation is that it’s just one component of a wider challenge. How to make the scene authentic, immediate, textured and social, with a bunch of people who have only just met. For me, it’s solved when I work with people who are as interested in the end result as I am. Charley Rose-Zondag managed our art direction in a way that contributed as much to the finished product, as my own photographic choices. She took the brief, - ‘more street photography than styled product, tables chaotic, people centric energy’… and made it real. My focus could really settle on the interactions and energy, because the scene was abundantly there for me. I think there are two things I love most, and possibly equally, about my job. Glorious light, whether it’s naturally occurring or crafted by my own imagination, and connecting with people. Regardless of context - if I’m in a restaurant or on a farm, or sitting in the sandpit of the local kindy, those are the foundations of my photographic work. The talent on this day were super responsive - taking my direction and carrying it forward. I never once had to ask anyone to smile. As we got to know each other, the enjoyment was a bit infectious. It’s often like that. Being photographed is a heightened experience, especially for non-professional talent. And I get to be completely undignified, eliciting the reactive moments from them that I need. I’ll never pretend to be cool, but I really love working with all kinds of people. At the end of the shoot we’re geniunely, fondly connected. Thanks to Dan Mylonas for bringing me this creative brief, and Alan Roberts who had things ticking along so smoothly on shoot day. I’m lucky to work with generous, enthusiastic souls, and very grateful for the trust these clients give me to realise their projects.
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