Untitled Story

Chapter Eleven

"So, this is the space. You can put your stuff wherever you need. The models should be ready in about half an hour. Is that enough time for you to set up?" I gently place down the bags that I'd been carrying for Lexi.

I look around the loft that we had organised for today's shoot. The brick walls add warmth to the room, contrasted by the steel columns that support the ceiling. Light flows effortlessly into the space through the large windows running along the wall. There are two sofa's, along with some other pieces of furniture on one end of the room and a white backdrop placed against the other side of the room.

"I think so. If it takes a little longer the models will just have to wait." Lexi's eyes also run around the room, taking everything in.

After we had spent some time with Craig getting the contract sorted, I went with Lexi to help grab her equipment and then we came here. Usually I wouldn't be present during shoots, but I wanted to be here in case Lex has any issues with the models or questions about the way we prefer our pictures taken. I had spoken to Kacey about it, and postponing our meeting, which she didn't have a problem with. Surprisingly she didn't have any reservations, not that I'm complaining.

Lex busied herself setting up all her equipment, putting the lights up, prepping her laptop to receive the photos, and wiring everything accordingly. After about ten minutes the models, make up artists and the fashion designer all began arriving and getting the models picture ready. I sat myself down on one of the sofas and tried to continue with my work on my laptop.

Wrapped in my own world, my name being called forced my eyes away from the screen and scanned around the room. Some models were chatting while they waited for their turn in front of the camera, while the fashion designer made slight adjustments to the way some of the clothes were sitting on them.

"Ava," Lex calls my name again and my eyes meet hers.

Placing the laptop beside me, I make my way over to her. She stands holding her camera, while one of the models waits in front of the white backdrop,

"Everything alright?" I ask when I'm closer to Lexi.

"Yeah, I just wanted to do a few with your approval so I know what you'll like." She adjusts a few more setting on her camera and then meets my eyes. I can see a small amount of tension and can tell that she's slightly nervous.

I place my hand on her forearm and smile reassuringly. "Take a couple how you normally would and then we'll look at them." She nods and turns towards the model.

I take a couple of steps backwards so that I can see the images as they come up on the laptop. Lexi talks to the model for a few moments about what she'd like her to do and then takes her position and starts to take some pictures.

I can't help but watch the way she photographs. She uses the space around her to get different angles and seems to be lost in her own little world. Every few seconds the lights flash, casting a strong light over her features, bringing attention to her powerful features. Her hair and skin glows, making her look ethereal.

After a few minutes, she glances down at her camera, then thanks the model and asks for a minute. She walks over to the laptop, and me, a slight frown hovering above her eyes.

"Okay, give me your honest opinion."

I force myself to stop watching her and also turn my attention towards the screen. She begins flicking through the pictures, allowing me to look each of them over. She'd had the model do a few different positions and portraying different emotions. There were some where the model is smiling and laughing, and others where she's more straight faced and showing off the clothes. Some photos were straight and others where you can tell the camera was tilted at an angle. Honestly, while you can tell that these have been taken by a different photographer, as they seem slightly more playful, these would definitely look good in the magazine.