I asked Ross if he would pose for me last night, partly because I was trying to do something similar in a self-portrait session a few weeks ago and couldn’t organize a suitable camera set-up (I really should cave and get a tripod), and partly because I think he’s an absolutely gorgeous model, as y’all know. We have a lovely rich fabric wall-hanging in our bedroom (orange silk that thought it would one day be a sari), and I arranged Ross in front of it with his shirt off (not that it matters, but he was wearing jeans when we did the shoot). This is one we both especially like, because the way he’s holding his arms does delicious things to the curves and shadows of his back and shoulders.

It was mostly an experiment, but I’m looking forward to giving it another go soon. It’s difficult for Ross because he’s a natural ham, and what I tend to want is for him to show his serious, romantic, or intense sides without being overly dramatic. I think it helped that this time I mostly asked him to face away from the camera. He’s always excited when I photograph him, though, and it’s really wonderful to be able to show him how beautiful he is and that he doesn’t, in fact, always have to be a clown in front of the lens.

That’s one of the biggest reasons I like doing portraits in general; when it works — which it doesn’t always because I’m not always the best at keeping people relaxed — it can be really transformative. When I photographed Jenn and she loved the way the pictures turned out, I felt as if I had pulled her over to where I was, like I had said to her, “See? No, do you see? This is the way you look to me, and everyone who knows you — so full of grace and life.”