There is something magical about working in a team. I say this as a deeply introverted person who spends most of his time alone by choice. But it’s true. Not every time, but when it happens, it’s a wonderful thing.
Years ago, I had the privilege of working with choreographer Gillmer Duran and a number of dancers from Eugene Ballet on a series of casual photography sessions, both in and out of the studio. Collaborating with Gillmer was incredible. He had ideas—endless ideas—and a sharp sense of which dancer would be the best fit for each concept.
Collaborating with Gillmer and Amanda, in particular, was a truly enjoyable experience. Gillmer has a keen eye for lines, as if he invented them. Amanda, at the time a talented apprentice at Eugene Ballet, seamlessly complemented Gillmer’s approach, fostering a communication so intuitive that words often felt unnecessary. As for me, attuned to their dynamic, I was eagerly engaged in capturing their ideas and transforming them into beautiful photos. With intriguing locations, ample time, and fewer distractions than we have today, the outcome was truly rewarding.
One afternoon and evening, Gillmer, Amanda, and I worked across three locations, using natural light or natural light lightly assisted by a small speedlight. We walked away tired, hungry, and with plenty of images for our portfolios.
It’s funny to look back on shoots from 15 or so years ago and think about how I would approach them today. Would I shoot from the same angles? Would I use a lens with less pronounced character? Would I keep the apertures as wide open? Certainly, I would use a camera with far better autofocus— it was incredibly dark near the end of the shoot. But one thing I don’t do is judge those images outside the context of who I was as a photographer and the resources I had available at the time. Whatever I might do differently, it’s important to understand that the creative context and the visual effect of it are what matter. These photos with Gillmer and Amanda are a momentary intersection of three creative talents that have since scattered to the winds. They tell a story of who, what, and where we were at that time. I wouldn’t want to change that, or dishonor it by ruminating over how I would do it differently today. Photos have value exactly because they capture these tiny histories, subjective as they may be.
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