My First Client.

The clients found me through a friend. She’d read the first journal entry on this website, knew I was getting back into photography, and put me in touch with a young couple.

Actually, I should call them a family of three. 

There was a little baby tucked comfortably inside Mum’s belly, quietly taking part in every single frame.

We shot at the home of the friend who introduced us. The room had lovely natural light, with sheer white curtains all around. It suited the gentle, relaxed feeling I wanted for the images. I used flash alongside the daylight coming into the room, giving the photographs enough light and depth while keeping them as natural as possible.

I’ve always spent quite a bit of time preparing before starting anything. This shoot was no different. If anything, I prepared a little more carefully, knowing it was my first client shoot since coming back.

Back when I shot editorials for magazines and brands, I had a whole team around me. Everyone looked after their part, while I focused on capturing the mood the art director had in mind. Working independently now, I take care of everything myself, from the concept and equipment to the lighting and all the little details that go into a shoot.

My clients also aren’t professional models who are used to being in front of a camera. So I put more thought into how to guide them, chat with them, and help them feel at ease. I wanted the shoot to feel like time they could enjoy together as a family, rather than something where they had to work hard to get every pose right.

As I write this, I’ve delivered the full set of images to the family. They told me they were really happy with the photographs and that the results were well beyond what they’d expected. Reading those words made me very happy too. All the preparation, the time spent figuring out the lighting, and the little nerves before the shoot felt worthwhile.

I haven’t added the photographs to the Gallery yet, even though my clients have given me permission. I want them to have time to enjoy their images first, choose their favourites, and share them with family and friends. Once they’ve had their turn, I’ll come back here and share them with you too.

There’s a Vietnamese saying, “Đầu xuôi đuôi lọt.” It roughly means that when the beginning goes smoothly, the rest is more likely to follow. A good start like this has helped me feel more confident and given me a little more motivation to keep going. There’s still plenty to do and plenty to learn again, but after this first shoot, it feels like I’ve truly begun.

Thanks for sticking with me and reading all the way to the end, hehe. I’ll see you here again for the next story as I find my way back into photography.