This shoot was so incredibly rejuvenating. I started 2022 burned out as an artist so over the past 8 months, I worked to both take time to recharge and also, re-evaluate who I am as a photographer: how would I describe my photography? Where do I want my photography to go? Does my creative voice match who I am? What do I wanted to create? They’re all questions i’m still exploring but it all came down to: how can I MAKE photos instead of simply take them? So when I was ready to create for myself again, I started with a list of goals. For this shoot, I put an emphasis on process. I wanted to create a shoot firmly rooted in a concept. I gave myself time to research and create a moodboard. I gave myself time in the photoshoot to feel like I wasn’t rushing and could think creatively. I gave myself time to edit and step away, to revisit my work with fresh eyes. And then I gave myself the freedom to not think that this photoshoot needs to encapsulate the totality if who I am as an artist. It’s just a photo collection, bish, not my identity. But most importantly, I wanted to work with a bunch of artists I admire. So often when we turn our creative passion into a career, it starts to feel like work. But for this shoot, I told myself that I just wanted to assemble a room full of artists whose craft and creativity I respect and then create together. I wanted to work with people who would push me to be better, and @shobean, @jakesokoloff, @christinadelfinomakeup, @kyleaskillin, and @michaelah.jpg did just that. I simply wanted to play as artists. I kept saying even if we didn’t get any photos we loved but we had a good time creating, then I would be more than happy. Lucky for me, we accomplished both.