Sometimes I have to go through a lot of film to get an idea.
I’ll show up in a city or meet with a model, and I need to warm up with exposing some frames, trying ideas out, bringing out the old tricks and then realizing that I am doing my old boring tricks again.
It would be amazing to show up and to have fully formed, fantastic ideas, all ready to go, from frame 1.
But no.
I have to burn through film in order for me to find magic.
There’s a great quote about writing that applies here:
Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working
I booked Pushinka (beautiful!) and she brought her friend Mariya (beautiful too!) as a chaperone. We got along so well and had such a good time shooting, that I booked them both a second time.
During this first shoot with Pushinka in St. Petersburg, they took a smoke break. I threw the SF 20 flash on and snapped them on the stairwell in the apartment building.
And?
Best shots of the shoot, maybe of the trip.
View more of Pushinka here and Mariya here

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim

Pushinka & Mariya St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim