Behind the Scenes: A Creative & Editorial Session, From Concept to Final Image

Of all the categories I shoot, creative and editorial sessions get the most questions — mostly some version of "how do you even plan something like that?" The honest answer is that the planning is most of the work. The shoot itself is usually the shortest part.

Step 1: Start With a Feeling, Not a Pose List

Every creative session starts with a conversation about mood rather than specific shots — moody and dramatic, bright and editorial, something inspired by a magazine spread you saved. That direction shapes everything downstream: location, wardrobe, time of day, even lens choice.

Step 2: Location Scouting

Once the mood is set, it's time to find a location that actually supports it. Arizona gives a lot to work with — desert washes, mid-century architecture, urban murals, mountain overlooks — but the right one depends entirely on the concept. This step alone can take longer than the shoot.

Step 3: Wardrobe and Styling

Creative sessions usually involve more outfit changes than a standard portrait sitting, and the choices are more deliberate — color palettes that work with the location, textures that catch light in a specific way, sometimes props. This is worked out ahead of time, not improvised on the day.

Step 4: The Shoot Itself

By the time the camera comes out, most of the guesswork is already gone. The session moves through a series of setups built around the plan, with room left for the spontaneous moments that always end up being some of the strongest frames.

Step 5: The Edit

Creative and editorial images usually get a more intentional edit than a standard portrait — color grading that matches the original mood, more deliberate retouching, sometimes composite work. This is where the concept fully comes together.

Is a Creative Session Right for You?

If you have a specific vision — for a portfolio, a personal project, or just something that doesn't fit a standard portrait mold — a creative session is built exactly for that. Bring a Pinterest board, a mood, or just a rough idea; that's usually plenty to start from.