Lucy Cruickshank + The Story Behind

When we came across Lucy’s enduring photo in our IG photo tag, we were speechless. Everything about it from the composition to the black and white conversion held our gaze. So when we reached out to Lucy to see if she would be up to do The Story Behind, we were thrilled she said yes! Read on to learn more about the magnificent image:

IG Handle:.
@lucycruickshankphotography

What inspires your are?
All kinds of women inspire me, but I draw most of my inspiration from motherhood. I will forever be in awe of mother’s! They are strong, soft, determined, patient, forgiving, independent, beautiful.. and we are all in the same boat! We all face similar challenges and triumphs, no matter what path we have walked.

Where was this photo taken?
This photo was taken in the shower of a two bedroom beach side shack in Burleigh Heads, QLD Australia.

How did the location add or hinder to your image?
This session was all about the location, I call these my ‘shower sessions’. It doesn’t matter weather your shower is 1000 years old or if its brand new, all we need is a bit of natural light to create some magic!

DSLR, iphone, instant or film?
DSLR, Canon EOS 6D with a Sigma Art Series 35mm lens.

What were your camera settings for this image?
ISO 800, f/1.6, 1/250sec.

Can you tell us “The Story Behind” this shot?
I met Jazz when she was 34 weeks pregnant with Vinnie. I took some maternity photos for her, I was only just starting out and she completely trusted my vision. Jazz has a beautiful, confident fun soul and when she birthed Vinnie I just knew I had to do something different for her, so I put them in the shower! We planned the entire session around it.

What speaks to you about this image? What specifically made you press the shutter?
I love how the light gently falls on Jazz’s face, I love the water dripping down her face over her freckles. I love how gentle Jazz’s touch is.. they look like they just fit!

What was your composition technique with this shot?
The initial shot was Jazz and Vinnie in the centre of the frame, in post processing I cropped the image to make it a little more interesting! I don’t really ‘compose’ shots as such, when I feel that a moment is happening, I just try and melt into it and shoot how I feel.

Did you have any lighting challenges/How did you light the image?
Generally I find you get some special lighting in bathrooms, there is usually always some natural light flooding in. I was lucky in this case as the light really filled this bathroom! It was beautiful and soft.

Did you use any special techniques – freelensing, prism, etc?
No.

Was this photo happenstance or did you visualize it prior? If so, how did you envision the image and set up for it?
I went in to this shoot planning on mainly doing breastfeeding shots, once we had finished the breastfeeding shots Jazz held Vinnie close, loving on her and kissing her. They ended up being my favourite images from this session!

Did you use a preset to edit this image, your own selective edits or a combination of both?
The preset I started with for this black and white series was based off a B&W indoor G-PRESET.

Do you have any addition information you would like to share with our readers?
A lot of the time when I do these shower sessions, people don’t realise the photo was taken in the shower.. unless I’ve said otherwise! When I’m editing them I love to sharpen the water that falls over their faces.. It gives it a little bit more drama and makes it more noticeable! I’m also pretty passionate about capturing newborns eyes.. I wish I knew what they were thinking. How incredible to open your eyes to a world like this, with a love like that.

Continue to be inspired by Lucy’s gorgeous work at the following:
SITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM