This week I was able to assist my friend Christopher Maddox at a portrait shoot for a young woman named Ciara. She is finishing her final semester at ASU’s downtown campus will leave with a degree in Tourism Development and Management. She had a great personality and was really fun to shoot!

Before meeting with Ciara, Matt and I scouted the Old Town Scottsdale area for nearly an hour and took note of interesting walls, colors, walkways, and furniture. I’d never heard the ramblings of a photographer before and was enjoying every moment of it. I asked Chris what he was looking for, and he responded with “options.” He explained how every person he shoots has a different rhythm and personality and since he’d never met Ciara, he wanted to be sure he had plenty of ideas to choose from. He remarked that his favorite people to shoot (like most photographers I’ve met) are those who will go along with new ideas and offer up poses and spots of their own.

We met Ciara, and Chris asked her many questions to build rapport and get her comfortable with him and his shooting style. Then we headed off. Chris gave great instruction, told some corny jokes, allowed her personality to shine, and made it a great experience for his client. And for me? Well, I’d never assisted a photographer before and had no idea what was going on, but Chris’ professionalism made it easy to follow him. After many frames and a few outfit changes, Chris had some beautiful and vibrant shots to choose from.

Check out Chris’ website for contact info and his photoblog for case studies, additional pictures, and information on his non-profit Love God Love People, which focuses on building homes and providing for underprivileged families in Mexico.