This project seemed simple at first glance — a couple in the woods, soft autumn light, natural setting. But behind the lens, simplicity often demands more.
The main challenge was balancing natural composition with authentic interaction. The overcast sky provided flat, even light, which helped preserve details, but lacked depth. A single silver reflector was used, just enough to lift shadows from the face without overpowering the scene.
Arash, the male subject, was initially shy. He kept adjusting his hands, aware of the camera. But when standing beside Roz, something shifted — he relaxed, opened up, and his posture softened.
Roz, by contrast, was precise and aware. She knew how to move the fabric of her dress subtly to enhance the image. Her gaze was steady, often ignoring the camera, focusing instead on Arash. That natural chemistry defined the shoot.
In one frame, Roz sits on a fallen tree while Arash gently holds her — a moment that wasn’t directed, but became the most genuine photo of the set. In another shot, seated beside a large tree, we struggled with positioning — we wanted closeness, but without forced contact. Eventually, we let them rest as they would on their own. That decision worked.
We processed the images in custom black & white with a warm brown tone — not just for style, but to focus on form and emotion without color distraction.
In this frame, Roz stands with her back turned slightly toward the camera, her gaze just over her shoulder — not fully engaged, yet not indifferent. I didn’t direct this pose; she found it herself. And that’s exactly what makes it work: a subject fully aware of her body, her presence, and her space, without needing instruction.
Her long dress flows naturally across the forest floor, echoing the texture of the fallen leaves and the curve of the tree trunk. The challenge here was maintaining detail in both her face and the shape of the dress while preserving the ambient shadows. Light filtered softly through the branches above, and by slightly adjusting the camera angle, I was able to create a natural highlight behind her — no artificial light needed.
This wasn’t a photoshoot about drama. It was about respect — for the people, for their bond, and for the subtlety of light.
