Ami — First Light After Burnout

The first time I saw Ami, I wasn’t supposed to shoot.

I was helping friends on a set, burned out and just there to hang. I didn’t bring much — didn’t even bring intention. But then she stepped into the light, and I found myself pulling out my camera before I could talk myself out of it.

I only took a few frames that day. But when I looked at them later, I saw something. Something I didn’t want to ignore.

So I reached out.

We planned a shoot.

Got makeup done, found a spot, and on the day of — it rained.

A lot.

But I was too far in to cancel. I had the Leica CL in hand, loaded with Delta 400, and I was ready to trust that the light we had would be enough.

This was our first real shoot.

It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t perfect.

But it gave me something I hadn’t felt in a while: the urge to create again.

⚙️ Tech Notes

• Camera: Leica CL (film)
• Film: Ilford Delta 400
• Lens: Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.5
• Weather: Overcast, rainy
• Location: Coastal parking lot, Guam
• Session: First planned shoot with Ami Shull