FreeFlow Shoot with Marlies
A relaxed day in Antwerp, a young singer in front of the camera, an old friend tagging along, a couple of manual lenses and no real plan beyond making pictures. This shoot with Marlies was a good reminder that photography doesn’t always need a strategy or a clear return. Sometimes you just need to shoot because it feels right.
Marlies is a young and talented singer at the start of what hopefully becomes a very exciting journey. She needed some pictures, and my old friend Udo Mechels, singer, musician, mentor to Marlies and all-round good guy, asked if I was up for doing a shoot with her.
There was no budget, no campaign and no big plan. And that was exactly what made it appealing.
What was in it for me? A day of relaxed, free-flow photography with someone enthusiastic, fun and open to trying things. And, as a bonus, the chance to spend a day with an old friend. I realised I really needed a shoot like this. Sometimes photography doesn't need to make strategic sense. You don't have to calculate the money, exposure, portfolio value or return on investment. Sometimes you just do a shoot because it feels right.
So we wandered around Antwerp, stopped for coffee, had lunch, talked, laughed and made pictures whenever something caught our attention. No pressure, no strict shot list, no rush.
I kept the gear simple too: mostly the Thypoch Simera 28mm and 50mm, with a few frames on an old Minolta 85mm and my X100VI. Manual lenses, a slower way of working, and plenty of room for things to happen.
A good day with good people and a bunch of pictures I really enjoyed making. What more do you need?
