What started as a random friendship at a BTS concert turned into a Calvin Klein-inspired creative shoot. I photographed Dana while experimenting with off-camera flash, studio lighting and some of the ideas that have been sitting on my Pinterest boards forever. A little behind the scenes of learning, creating and finally turning saved inspiration into something real.

I wanted to photograph Olympic athletes in a way we don’t always get to see them, outside of competition, surrounded by fashion, colour, softness and creativity. What started as a simple idea while watching the Olympics became one of my first large scale creative direction projects for Lara Grace Creative Studio. With Lia and Cynthia trusting my vision, an incredible creative team, beautiful wardrobe, a sponsored studio, food and drinks, we turned an idea in my head into a full editorial production. This is the story behind the photographs, the people who brought them to life, the little things that went wrong, the lessons I learned, and the behind-the-scenes moments I’ll always remember.