Rediscovering Passion Through My Muse: Ami, model spotlight series

Every creative goes through a rut—when inspiration plays hide-and-seek. During one of these times, I met with Ami, a model my friends brought during a planned hike to some beautiful waterfalls. What started as a casual conversation became a series of collaborative projects that got me out of my photography slump.

Ami turned out to be the perfect muse. She was confident but not overly 'modelesque.' She was curious about modeling and wanted to learn as a beginner. She was just very relaxed in front of the camera, which was perfect. I mentioned how I was feeling stuck creatively, and she suggested something simple: "Let's do a shoot." What started as a spontaneous idea became a journey, a collaboration that reignited my love for photography.

We started with studio portrait sessions, playing around with lighting setups, angles, and lenses; no pressure, no set expectations. Ami's natural ease and goofy nature relaxed me even more. Her energy and openness helped me see through a fresh lens, pun intended.

We also did on-location shoots. We did bikini shots a few times as they were much more accessible. She had a bunch of bikinis, and we were surrounded by the ocean. Ami, ever adventurous, was comfortable exploring new ideas with me. Her confidence in her own skin made the process smooth, and soon, we were pushing creative boundaries and doing boudoir shoots.

The nature of Boudoir photography requires trust, and with Ami, trust was never in question. We experimented with the typical boudoir settings and then did bodyscapes as well.

I began my photo journey with film, so it seemed only fitting that I would also create using my film cameras. For me, film photography's main appeal is nostalgia, a throwback to where I started, and it gives me a feel of how it was when I first started. Something about film's grain, texture, unpredictability, and waiting for results appeals to me. I took risks photographically with Ami, knowing that every shot wouldn't be perfect, but every shot would be genuine. The funny thing is, when I first started, I needed to get every shot 'correctly,' but these days, not so much; it's the appeal of shooting in a format that only a few dabble with.

The patience required for film photography brought a new dimension. Slowing down was the first step: thinking carefully about each shot. Ami's desire to see the outcome fueled her creativity. Her ability to adapt and my need to recall what I needed to do to make things happen made the experience rewarding on this journey.

Ami has since moved to Japan with her other half. Photographing Ami wasn't just about getting out of a rut and growing as a photographer and artist. Ami didn't just stand in front of the camera; she collaborated with me, inspired me, and ultimately helped me rediscover my passion for photography. I value the time we spent creating and collaborating; I miss having a muse to bounce ideas off.

Now, when I look at the images we created, they're more than just photos. They're milestones in a journey I didn't know I needed to take. And for that, I'll always be grateful to Ami, my muse, who helped me rediscover my love for photography when I needed it most.