Where It All Began: The Power of Meetups in My Studio
When I opened the doors to my first studio meetup, I had no roadmap. No fixed idea of what should happen – just a camera, a space, and the desire to bring people together. Looking back now, I realize that some of the most important chapters of my creative journey began in exactly those moments.
For me, my photography has never been just about images. It’s about connection – about building trust, sparking ideas, and allowing space for vulnerability and transformation. My meetups were never marketed as “big events” – no grand production, no artificial pressure. Just a room full of creatives, the freedom to explore, and the chance to be seen.
What happened next still humbles me.
Over the years, these meetups became a magnet for raw talent and unexpected synergy. Some of my strongest muses walked into my studio for the first time at a meetup. People who were shy, uncertain, or just curious – and who later became central figures in my exhibitions, books, or long-term collaborations. I saw strangers form deep creative partnerships, photographers and models grow together, stylists and makeup artists connect, and even entire projects emerge that found their own life beyond anything I had planned.
There’s something beautifully unpredictable about these gatherings. No two are the same. Sometimes we shoot, sometimes we talk, sometimes we do nothing for an hour and then magic happens in the last ten minutes. That’s the kind of space I always wanted to offer – a place where people feel safe enough to experiment, make mistakes, or shine without needing permission.
Many people know me today for my exhibitions, my books, or the aesthetic of my black-and-white photography. But what fewer people see is how much of that world has its roots in these meetups. They’ve shaped my direction, introduced me to people who changed the way I see beauty, and reminded me time and again why I do what I do. I don’t believe in closed circles or untouchable artistry. I believe in showing up, sharing space, and letting inspiration speak for itself.
That’s why my meetups are still one of the most honest parts of my work. They ground me. They remind me of the early days – when everything was about curiosity, not perfection. And they give others a stage to grow, to be seen, and to start something of their own.
If you’ve ever been part of one of these moments, you know what I mean. If not – the door is always open.