Over the years, I have photographed many fashion models, but Layla remains one of those I particularly enjoyed working with.
At 176 cm tall, with an elegant figure, long legs, and a distinctly contemporary look, she has a natural versatility in front of the camera. Whether dressed in understated makeup or a more contemporary fashion look, she adapts effortlessly to different styles and moods.
When Layla approached me to create a portfolio for her modelling career, I agreed without hesitation.
Rather than working in a conventional studio, we chose an unfinished upstairs shop lot as our location. The space was still being renovated, with freshly painted walls and newly installed windows. The rawness of the surroundings gave us an unexpected backdrop for the shoot.
Layla chose a loose leopard-print top, a black leather jacket, and black shorts. I then built the lighting around four studio lights of different power, using softboxes, honeycombs, and different light directions to create a mixture of softness and contrast.
At times, the light revealed a gentler side of her. At other moments, it brought out something colder, stronger, and more distant.
What made the session work, however, was not simply the lighting.
It was Layla herself.
Her eyes consistently gave me the expression I was looking for. In front of the camera, she was confident, responsive, and completely at ease. There was no stiffness or hesitation. Between frames, we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas, making the entire session feel less like a formal assignment and more like a creative collaboration between two people who understood what they wanted from the camera.
That is what I enjoy most about portrait photography.
The photographer provides the light, the direction, and the frame. But the person in front of the camera brings the character.
Layla had that quality in abundance.
I have always believed that the right combination of talent, attitude, and dedication can take a person much further than appearance alone. I enjoyed photographing Layla, and I have always believed that, with time and opportunity, she has the potential to go much further in her modelling career.
