There’s something satisfying about the geometry of bleachers. And there’s something about empty bleachers. That same something as empty parking lots and playgrounds at night. These liminal spaces where reality is altered. I think I like these places so much because it feels as if the world has paused and I’ve taken a step away from it. It feels like I have enough space to breathe, deeply. To think, about things that are important, about things that aren’t. A place where it feels like the next thing is so far away that I don’t need to trouble myself with it. Provided I haven’t been binging Criminal Minds before entering this liminal space, otherwise I’d be totally freaked out!

Before heading out for this photoshoot, I browsed Instagram for portrait inspiration and discovered @evantsheehan. I love the crisp colours and the hard edges he finds in architecture and light. I wanted to find a similar thing on these bleachers, but was stuck for ideas. I tried to convey to Austin what I was looking for and was doing a pretty terrible job at it, but he kept moving, which was all I could ask for. The “be not afraid of going slowly, be only afraid of standing still” philosophy definitely applied here. Austin tried sitting in different positions. He tried laying flat on the bleachers (as ridiculous as it looked). But the sweet spot was at the top of the bleachers, where lines met and in the corner, and where we got some of that chain link fence too.

White button down, some place in Kwai Chung Plaza, Hong Kong • Fried egg x bacon sweater, Lotte • Wool overcoat, Pull & Bear ASOS • Black pants, The Shop TK, Japan • Shoes, Stan Smith’s • Watch, Timex Waterbury – Bracelet, Stylus

I’m loving the colours in these photos. My favourite photo is the second one. I’ve always been a fan of the juxtaposition of blue and orange, and I’m digging the softer shades. Also loving the lines from the bleachers, the line where the shadow falls on it, the lines of the track dividing the lanes in the background, and how Austin’s crisp shirt stands out against them. Speaking of his shirt, the stitched skyline detail was a nice touch, especially with this linear theme. And also, can we appreciate what a pro he was for bringing a duffel bag with a change of clothes, which he brought of his own accord? His fried egg x bacon sweater also had nice colour blocking. Also plz keep in mind that it was hoooot out, so extra points for layering on with a sweater and a long coat.

So far in 2017, I’ve done three photoshoots–one in Brooklyn and two at Haverford College. I’m going to keep thinking about places for photoshoots. Maybe I’ll make a list of liminal spaces. Or maybe I’ll make a list of geometric spaces. Of course, it’s most convenient for me to do my photoshoots on campus, and it is a special place to shoot, as I’ll only be here for another 1.5 years, but I’d like to do some photoshoots out in Philly as well. I’m planning to do my March photoshoot during spring break, which is March 3-12, and because I’ll be off from school, I’ll have more time to travel. This would be an opportune time for me to explore the city and make a list of potential photoshoot locations in the area, because let’s be real, the only place I know well in Philly is Chinatown. Maybe I could explore a little more around Old City. And some of my friends have been wanting to do a photoshoot at the Magic Gardens, which I’ve already been to, but not with them.

How do you choose your photoshoot locations? I’ve noticed that some bloggers mostly take their ootw photos at the same location, unless they’re traveling.

And for the Philly readers out there, know any good photoshoot locations?

PS: more austin, stephanie, alex