Ruby

"I was feeling down, but you really lifted my spirits" is one of the best types of feedback I feel I can get doing this. And I've received it a few times. But what I don't think has ever happened is someone's demeanor changing for the better during the course of the couple minutes I'm in their life.

In giving me permission to photograph her, Ruby would tell me that she'd been crying, a warning in case she doesn't look all that great on camera. (She would later tell me it was... family drama.) And I just reassured that she looks great - not really much I could say or do beyond that, honestly. So I gave some starting direction and just started snapping photos.

And in the first several shots, it's clear she's not in the greatest headspace for this, but slowly opening up.

Then I move in front of her, getting shots straight on. Now she's getting into a better headspace.

And a few standing shots to finish things out...