When I set up a shoot, I don’t generally know what the tone/mood will be like. I like it this way—I like a lot of surprise when shooting, to play things be ear, to let things evolve and be however they will. Shooting with Sarah, a talented photographer herself, was a special treat that completely fed this idea.

Beforehand, Sarah was enthusiastic about this being not too traditional or formulaic. I also talked to Sarah about exploring the idea of home and what that means to her. Without hesitation, she made it clear—Hillcrest, a small but buzzing neighborhood here in San Diego, was as much her home as her actual house. It’s truly one of my favorite things, to shoot people in their own homes. They are such a wonderful reflection of who you are, and tell such a lovely story, but better still is how much we are ourselves in our own spaces, in the places in which we feel at home. Sarah’s also got a talent for interior decor, and her wee one’s going to have a hell of a lovely little room.

Delighted at the thought of doing a little urban adventuring, I met Sarah at her condo and then we explored Hillcrest’s charming nooks and crannies. I shoot so often in outdoorsy, natural spaces, it was a nice shift of perspective to stay in the city. Its magical hidden bits did not disappoint. Sarah radiated a lovely energy that resulted in me stopping at one point to remark at how this shoot simply felt glamorous. And that’s just the kind of surprise I like to play with. Sarah, even after a vehicular run-in with a ticket-happy cop, was a trooper. We had such a charming time, and I think the proof is in the pudding. Thanks, Sarah!