Valentines With Anna Lisa Wagner

Before I start transferring my thoughts through my fingers down into my keyboard Patreon told me to 'Tell a story'. Here we go.

Today is Valentine's Day, as all of you know. If you look at it from a logical stand point, the thing that sticks out is that it is a commercialized day so business can boom in a time that is historically a lull for revenue. Flowers, cards, gifts and expensive dinners to 'show the ones you care for that you love them.' Now, every single holiday has been commercialized in today's age no matter which one it is. However, if you look at it from a holistic stand point there is far more meaning. Today, Valentine's Day, encompasses love, compassion and care. If you shed away the commercialism from today, get rid of all of the flowers, presents and fancy dinners the only thing that is left is love. That one feeling, that one emotion is the most powerful thing a person can feel. It makes someone selfless beyond belief, almost to the point that some would say it is 'crazy'. However, that is the amazing thing about the emotion.

Over the last year I have spent my time alone, learning to love myself and transferring the immense amount of love to my platonic friendships with close friends. It is amazing what large life changes can do for your psyche. I have focused on being selfless for the people in my life and constantly making myself and my emotional capacity readily available for them. Sometimes I must admit, it is taxing. The thing that stands out though is how it really helps those people that I love and care for. Love is gentle, compassionate and in my mind, unconditional. Love drives my creativity. It is what helps me wake up in the morning when I first open my eyes and I see my pup Kylea laying next to my side. It is what I see and feel when I look and hold cameras. It is what I feel coursing through my veins when I gaze at a beautiful image. Love is everywhere. Shed the commercialism and it is clear as day.

Love is what I have for Anna Lisa. In a platonic sense of course. She is my best friend, my rock and my person. What does 'my person' mean? Well, i adopted that term from Grey's Anatomy. 'My person' simply means that you can trust them with everything, tell them anything and they will do nothing but support you, guide you and push you to be the best you can be. Over the last year Anna has enlightened me, opened my eyes and most importantly shown me an immense amount of unconditional love. She has helped me work past heart ache and loss and guided me to see that I can pull the love I have for everything and drive it into my work. She is such a blessing to my life and I honestly do not know where I would be without her. When she asked me to shoot a Valentine's Day look with her I was smitten with the opportunity.

We woke up early one day in my studio. It was a soft morning in so many senses of the term. Overcast skies, heavily diffused light coming through the windows in my studio, Bon Iver resonating through my entire space. We started the day as we always do while she is in town; breakfast. I made my staple breakfast; shredded hash, eggs, bacon and avocado all neatly arranged in a bowl. As I prepared our meal, Anna sat in front of the windows and got ready. With the light scent of Palo Santo filling the studio we began our day, drank our coffee and started waking up for the hours ahead. I remember bringing her a cup of cold brew and seeing her sit in her oversized shirt with the radiant glow from the overcast light. I simply smiled and set her coffee down next to her. We ate, caffeinated and finished out morning routine.

The next stop; The Flower District. It is amazing living in Downtown Los Angeles and how accessible every little thing you could ever possibly need is and it is all within a short walk away. We put our jackets on and prepared for the brisk wind of the clouded morning and began our way to the Flower District. Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed on this Monday because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, we were able to find exactly what she wanted and needed for our shoot. Some eucalyptus and roses. On our way back to my studio we stopped by this amazingly stunning fabric and Anna purchased a few yards of it. A small, but amazing addition to the look. With everything we needed in our hands we headed back to my space. Anna immediately started arranging the flowers as I set up all of my equipment.

On the docket for the shoot; a pack of Color SX-70, some digital and of course an FP-100C exposure for good measure. Working with Anna is a dream. It is seamless, it flows and we always create such beautiful content together. It helps when there is a brilliant piece of Agent Provocateur in the images as well.

Long story short, another phenomenal shoot, pleasant final images and most importantly a new cherished memory that I get to keep for the rest of my life.

Love is everywhere, just open your eyes and your heart.

- AW Media

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/28xdsas8fmk44ba/AADSZ9dT4V2-iZr7TQV_8Lbva?dl=0