Summer Jobs, Year Two: Barcelona’s Unsung Heroes (And Why Editors Love Cropping Wrong)

Julia the Art Teacher: Where Chaos Meets Perfect Composition

Julia was a dream subject—the kind who forgets the camera exists the moment she starts ranting about kids’ finger-painting masterpieces. We set up a simple scenario, let the writer prod her with questions, and boom: hands flying everywhere, passion in full swing. The best part? Those rogue hands in the frame aren’t even real. They’re from some artsy book design, but they fit so perfectly you’d think we staged them. (Note to self: Sometimes, happy accidents are the only art direction you need.)

Daniel the Crêpe Guy: A Lesson in Editorial Heartbreak

Daniel at the Born crêperie was supposed to be a cover star. Spoiler: They picked another shot. Of course they did. And—shocker—they cropped it like they were playing Operation blindfolded. But here’s the secret: Shoot for yourself first. My favorite frames are rarely the ones clients choose, and after a while, you stop screaming into your coffee. (Mostly.)

Alex the Pilates Guru: Mirrors, Flash, and Sneaky Depth

Alex’s Pilates studio was a study in minimalist calm—until I spotted the mirror. Suddenly, one room became two, with a sneaky extra dimension begging for attention. A second flash brightened the reflection (because shadows are moody, but editors hate “moody”), while the main light stayed simple: one umbrella, daylight-balanced, no drama. Sometimes, the quietest setups pack the biggest punch.

Mark the Call Center Survivor: The Cover Shot That Got Away

Mark’s portrait landed the cover. Not this one, though. Not the one I actually liked. Such is life. (Cue existential sigh, then another coffee.)