Behind the Scenes: Portrait Photography Session with Film Director Isabel Coixet

Isabel Coixet stands among Spain’s most celebrated film directors, with an impressive portfolio of international productions. I had the opportunity to photograph her at her office in Barcelona’s Gràcia district for a magazine feature. The timing coincided with the release of her film “Elegy,” starring Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley—a project that had generated significant attention in the cinema world.

The portrait session began while Coixet was being interviewed, giving me time to prepare lighting and capture candid moments. I had recently acquired a new flash unit but had limited experience with its capabilities—a situation that professional photographers generally try to avoid during client sessions.

Despite setting the flash to full manual mode (my preferred method for consistent results), the equipment seemed determined to overpower the scene with excessive light. The studio space already benefited from abundant natural light, requiring only subtle fill flash to balance the shadows. This technical challenge highlighted the importance of thoroughly testing new equipment before professional assignments.

Once the interview concluded, I had approximately 30 minutes for directed portrait work. Coixet proved exceptionally accommodating and personable throughout our session. We discovered a mutual interest in literature when I noticed Ian McEwan’s “On Chesil Beach” on her bookshelf—a novel I had recently finished reading. This personal connection helped establish rapport, an essential element in portrait photography that often leads to more authentic images.

While the magazine selected a different image for publication, the portrait featured here remains my personal favorite. It captures Coixet in a more playful, relaxed pose that deviates from conventional director portraits. Her willingness to experiment beyond standard poses resulted in a photograph that better reflects her creative personality.

In a lighthearted moment, I jokingly requested Penelope Cruz’s contact information—a request that went predictably unfulfilled. Interestingly, Coixet was the second person in my recent professional circle with connections to the famous actress. These unexpected intersections with celebrity networks often make editorial photography assignments particularly memorable.