Some shoots start as a question: What if?
When the Sigma Fp camera first launched, it immediately caught my attention.
Marketed primarily toward filmmakers and motion shooters, it also promised impressive still capabilities — a bold claim that made me want to see for myself.
And what better way to test it than to bring a long-standing photo concept off the board and into reality?
This project was more than a camera test. It was about asking a bigger question:
Can light — on its own — tell a story?
I partnered with longtime friend and collaborator Ian Dawson, someone who’s never met a build-or-create challenge he didn’t like.
Together, we crafted a shoot where light itself became the subject, experimenting with reflections, refractions, and custom rigs we engineered on the fly.
Because when it comes to creativity, “no” isn’t an answer — it’s just the start of a new solution.
The first experiment involved a reflective light-box outfitted with adjustable barn doors to bend and shape light dynamically.
While the initial build had limitations (read: the doors were too heavy), it opened new doors conceptually — and even those early shots turned out seriously striking.
Our second build involved hand-making cylindrical shooting tubes to create controlled, immersive glows.
Originally dreaming of polished copper, budget and logistics steered us toward DIY alternatives — and honestly, the creative limitations sparked even stronger results.
Sometimes, your best ideas are born exactly when things don’t go to plan.
Of course, light alone can’t carry emotion without the right subject.
We were honored to work with Jeana Turner (@jeanaturner), a runner-up from America’s Next Top Model Cycle 24.
Jeana brought not only experience and precision but an incredible sense of calm and centeredness — a rare and powerful combination on set.
Makeup artistry was handled by the ultra-talented Jude Andam (@judeandammakeup), who took our rough creative vision and turned it into something nuanced, emotive, and visually unforgettable.
A huge thank you to everyone involved — this was a shoot that pushed boundaries, solved problems, and left us inspired.
👉 Check out the full BTS video linked below to see why we switched camera systems mid-shoot and how it all came together.
