Revisiting Remote Photography – A Lingerie Shoot with Jules at an Airbnb

I hadn’t done a remote photo shoot in quite a while. The first time I tried it was during the early COVID lockdowns, when in-person shoots weren’t possible, and we were all forced to get a little more creative. I remember reading an article in an online photo magazine about a model named Samantha doing remote sessions, and I was intrigued. Back then, remote photography felt experimental. It was a workaround. I did a couple of shoots that way, and like many things from that era, I eventually let it go.

But recently, I got curious again. I wanted to revisit that way of working, not because I had to, but to see if I had missed something about the process. When this style of photography first emerged, there was plenty of debate about whether it counted as real photography or leaned too close to voyeurism. That debate didn’t interest me as much as the creative challenge did.

This shoot with Jules was my first remote session in years. She stayed at an Airbnb and was open to collaborating from a distance. We set a time, jumped on a video call, and walked through everything together. She placed her phone on a tripod, set up the lighting, and gave me a virtual tour of the space so we could plan each setup. The Airbnb had beautiful natural light pouring in through a large window, casting the soft, moody glow I love working with.

We focused on lingerie and nude looks. These shoots are naturally more collaborative than the ones I do in person, mostly because I couldn’t physically move a light or tweak a camera setting myself. Jules had to be hands-on with the gear and the space, and I had to communicate clearly, give trust, and let go a little. That back-and-forth became one of the most rewarding parts of the shoot.

Remote photography isn’t just something from the lockdown years. It can be a valid, creative approach when the energy is right, and the model is confident and capable. It’s a reminder that connection, collaboration, and storytelling don’t always require being in the same room. With the right mindset, you can still create something honest, intimate, and beautiful, even from across the globe.

Working with Jules brought me back to the core of why I love photography. It’s about problem-solving, following your instincts, and staying open to the unexpected. That part hasn't changed whether I’m holding the camera or directing from a screen.