Not every photoshoot needs elaborate costumes, dramatic lighting, or an epic fantasy theme. Sometimes the most interesting stories are the ordinary ones.
I created 'A Day in the life' as a collection of everyday moments that often get overlooked. Reading on the couch, scrolling through a phone, making coffee, stretching, eating breakfast, working on a laptop, or simply sitting with your thoughts. These are the small moments that make up so much of our lives, and they're surprisingly useful for artists looking to create believable modern characters. I believe ordinary moments matter because they are often where the most relatable stories begin.
Because the shoot was designed to feel authentic, I kept everything relaxed. Most of the photographs were taken with no makeup, natural hair and comfortable pyjamas. It felt like allowing myself to simply exist in front of the camera rather than becoming someone else. Rather than carefully posed glamour portraits, these images are about natural movement and genuine moments.
Photographing in my own home felt a little vulnerable. Home is where I retreat from the world and simply exist without feeling like I need to perform. It's a place that brings me an incredible sense of peace and pride.
This is not the first time I have explored this concept. 'A day in the life 1' The first shoot captured a little snapshot of my life at the time. I photographed making pasta and cupcakes, spending time at home, and playing with Nyx, who was only a puppy then. Looking back at those images now, they have become something more than just stock photography. They are a beautiful record of a moment in our lives that I might otherwise have forgotten.
One day, I know I will return to this concept again. In another few years, Nyx will no longer be the playful puppy from those first images, but an older dog who has been part of many more chapters of my life. That is one of the unexpected gifts of photographing everyday moments. The ordinary things we often overlook become memories we can return to, preserving little pieces of the lives we have built.
The images also gave me an opportunity to approach photography differently from my usual studio work. I worked almost entirely with natural window light, embracing the softer, moodier atmosphere that comes with photographing indoors. The lower light levels meant shooting at a high ISO and a wide aperture, creating images with a gentle grain and shallow depth of field that suit the intimate feeling of the series.
As a studio photographer, I am very used to shaping my environment, using powerful lighting equipment to carefully control every element of a scene. Without studio lights, I had to adapt to the environment rather than create one, paying closer attention to the changing conditions throughout the day, and the natural mood already present in the space.
Whether you are creating a modern character, illustrating everyday life, or simply looking for natural reference, I hope this collection gives you inspiration for your own stories.
Happy creating,
Jessica