(The Journal)
Soft Light, Strong Women
Soft Light, Strong Women
(
Behind The Lens
)
Soft Light, Strong Women
A portrait series about stillness, strength, and the space between vulnerability and power.
This shoot didn’t start with a mood board. It started with a conversation.
She told me she was tired — not just physically, but emotionally. Tired of always having to be strong. Tired of holding it all together. But still, she showed up.
We didn’t plan much. I told her to bring whatever made her feel comfortable — a blouse she liked, a playlist that calmed her down. I brought a few backdrops and a sheer curtain. The light did the rest.
The Setup
I shot this session using natural light only, through a frosted window in my apartment. One chair. One reflector I barely used. The softness of the light was everything — it wrapped around her like a whisper.
She sat down. I didn’t direct her much. I just asked her to breathe and close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, I pressed the shutter.
That first frame became the cover image of the series.
🎭 Strength in the Subtle
What I love about portraiture — especially editorial-style — is that it doesn’t have to scream to be powerful. It can whisper. It can rest. It can invite the viewer to lean in, rather than push them away.
Every shot in this series was meant to feel like a pause — like a quiet inhale before the world demands more.
"I’ve never seen myself look like this before," she said at the end.
“Like I’m allowed to be still.”
🎨 Post-Production
I kept the edits minimal — soft shadows, warm skin tones, subtle texture in the fabric. I didn’t retouch her skin beyond small distractions. I left the lines under her eyes. I think they tell a story we don’t see enough.
Every image was edited in Lightroom with my custom preset, designed to mimic film — muted highlights, creamy midtones, and a gentle roll-off on the blacks.
💬 The Why
This shoot became more than just a session — it became a reminder. That strength doesn’t always look fierce. That softness doesn’t mean weakness. And that portraiture, when done right, can be a mirror that reflects back not just what someone looks like — but who they are becoming.
I don’t know if this series will ever be published in a magazine or win an award — and I don’t think it needs to. It made her feel seen. It made me remember why I love creating images like this.
Sometimes that’s enough.
EXPLORE more
This is LYSANDRA, a Portrait Photography Portfolio.
Designed by JenkateMW
A refined portfolio template for photographers who want to showcase their work through sleek layouts, subtle motion, and a polished visual experience.
GET TEMPLATE
(The Journal)
Soft Light, Strong Women
Soft Light, Strong Women
(
Behind The Lens
)
Soft Light, Strong Women
A portrait series about stillness, strength, and the space between vulnerability and power.
This shoot didn’t start with a mood board. It started with a conversation.
She told me she was tired — not just physically, but emotionally. Tired of always having to be strong. Tired of holding it all together. But still, she showed up.
We didn’t plan much. I told her to bring whatever made her feel comfortable — a blouse she liked, a playlist that calmed her down. I brought a few backdrops and a sheer curtain. The light did the rest.
The Setup
I shot this session using natural light only, through a frosted window in my apartment. One chair. One reflector I barely used. The softness of the light was everything — it wrapped around her like a whisper.
She sat down. I didn’t direct her much. I just asked her to breathe and close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, I pressed the shutter.
That first frame became the cover image of the series.
🎭 Strength in the Subtle
What I love about portraiture — especially editorial-style — is that it doesn’t have to scream to be powerful. It can whisper. It can rest. It can invite the viewer to lean in, rather than push them away.
Every shot in this series was meant to feel like a pause — like a quiet inhale before the world demands more.
"I’ve never seen myself look like this before," she said at the end.
“Like I’m allowed to be still.”
🎨 Post-Production
I kept the edits minimal — soft shadows, warm skin tones, subtle texture in the fabric. I didn’t retouch her skin beyond small distractions. I left the lines under her eyes. I think they tell a story we don’t see enough.
Every image was edited in Lightroom with my custom preset, designed to mimic film — muted highlights, creamy midtones, and a gentle roll-off on the blacks.
💬 The Why
This shoot became more than just a session — it became a reminder. That strength doesn’t always look fierce. That softness doesn’t mean weakness. And that portraiture, when done right, can be a mirror that reflects back not just what someone looks like — but who they are becoming.
I don’t know if this series will ever be published in a magazine or win an award — and I don’t think it needs to. It made her feel seen. It made me remember why I love creating images like this.
Sometimes that’s enough.
EXPLORE more
This is LYSANDRA, a Portrait Photography Portfolio.
Designed by JenkateMW
A refined portfolio template for photographers who want to showcase their work through sleek layouts, subtle motion, and a polished visual experience.
GET TEMPLATE
(The Journal)
Soft Light, Strong Women
Soft Light, Strong Women
(
Behind The Lens
)
Soft Light, Strong Women
A portrait series about stillness, strength, and the space between vulnerability and power.
This shoot didn’t start with a mood board. It started with a conversation.
She told me she was tired — not just physically, but emotionally. Tired of always having to be strong. Tired of holding it all together. But still, she showed up.
We didn’t plan much. I told her to bring whatever made her feel comfortable — a blouse she liked, a playlist that calmed her down. I brought a few backdrops and a sheer curtain. The light did the rest.
The Setup
I shot this session using natural light only, through a frosted window in my apartment. One chair. One reflector I barely used. The softness of the light was everything — it wrapped around her like a whisper.
She sat down. I didn’t direct her much. I just asked her to breathe and close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, I pressed the shutter.
That first frame became the cover image of the series.
🎭 Strength in the Subtle
What I love about portraiture — especially editorial-style — is that it doesn’t have to scream to be powerful. It can whisper. It can rest. It can invite the viewer to lean in, rather than push them away.
Every shot in this series was meant to feel like a pause — like a quiet inhale before the world demands more.
"I’ve never seen myself look like this before," she said at the end.
“Like I’m allowed to be still.”
🎨 Post-Production
I kept the edits minimal — soft shadows, warm skin tones, subtle texture in the fabric. I didn’t retouch her skin beyond small distractions. I left the lines under her eyes. I think they tell a story we don’t see enough.
Every image was edited in Lightroom with my custom preset, designed to mimic film — muted highlights, creamy midtones, and a gentle roll-off on the blacks.
💬 The Why
This shoot became more than just a session — it became a reminder. That strength doesn’t always look fierce. That softness doesn’t mean weakness. And that portraiture, when done right, can be a mirror that reflects back not just what someone looks like — but who they are becoming.
I don’t know if this series will ever be published in a magazine or win an award — and I don’t think it needs to. It made her feel seen. It made me remember why I love creating images like this.
Sometimes that’s enough.
EXPLORE more
This is LYSANDRA, a Portrait Photography Portfolio.
Designed by JenkateMW
A refined portfolio template for photographers who want to showcase their work through sleek layouts, subtle motion, and a polished visual experience.
GET TEMPLATE