I texted “Hey, is Lis (@lisbettaa) friendly? I’m shooting with her tomorrow” Chloe wrote back “Babe, Lis is a sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about” I’ve developed a trauma where models said they adored nature only to find out, they didn’t want to hike; they thought it was by the parking. There are times I didn’t connect with them, and it’s inevitable. I can’t get along everybody. But then we’re stuck with each other, constantly checking the time when the torture will finally end. What I’m left with are portraits of someone who was closed off. I just didn’t know who they were. Lis picked me up, I opened the door, Lis flung her music down “Hi Sam!” with a smile, “Sorry for the mess” with a hug. There was energy that felt chaotic, but genuine. On the highway, we found ourselves chatting progressively to more personal matters. While Lis was explaining her thoughts, my mind drifted “Why do I always bring people to this mental space?” But I knew immediately. I wasn’t going to lie to myself: I loved to understand. People are fascinating. Tendencies and habits are unspoken traits. I could learn so much before taking the first photograph. Deep in the woods, we found the first spot. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, time stopped. I’ve been here before but it’s been a while. It’s disorientating. I learned not to search for or expect it. Without fail, it arrives unexpectedly, instantaneously. The birds that chirped in the distance drew silent, the wind fades gentle, like Earth caressing our skins. Nothing was moving but Lis. “You said here?” Lis pointed to the ground. “Um, yeah. That’s good.” I confusedly blinked to see if I was still here. What was I going to say to her? “Oh, you just happened to stop time for me? Give me a second.” That sounds utterly insane. It is like a drug; when nothing else matters and the headaches of the world just vanish. She was constantly present. There was no one for miles, so we danced. I said to Lis “I’m reminded, for the past shoots that didn’t work, people like you, are the reason why it’s worth trying again.” Lis said, “so let’s find the time to do it again”