Ailana’s Journal—2026-08-20 (and Island Kids) (Patreon)

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GOOD MORNING by Ailana Geven Keller

Good morning. Today is an AGI Creative photo session day.

Everything is ready and the models are lined up. The only tricky part has been fitting in sessions on set around the schedules of the models coming over from the clinic. Sasha got all that worked out—no one will miss more than an hour, so everything fits into the day just fine.

If there’s a twist, it’s not much of one.

Dr. Overmark—Olivia—called after dinner to say that Jenna—Emily’s friend from Youth Group—is very excited that Olivia is modeling for us today.

“Do you think,” Olivia asked, “it would be okay for me to bring Jenna by when she gets out of school?”

“Tell her ‘yes’!” Emily said. “I’ll meet you there!”

Port Isabel Early College High School dismisses at 4:15. Olivia will pick her up and bring her over. Emily said she’d ride Island Metro and meet us there.

Otherwise, just another day of wardrobe changes and camera snaps!

See you there!

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All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

GOING WELL by Ailana Geven Keller

Hey everyone. I’m just checking in to say everything is going according to plan.

For the record, what I’m wearing is not part of the shoot. To be honest, I don’t know whose jeans I have on, but they were lying in the dressing room when I changed out of my last outfit.

The line we’re shooting today is supposed to be occasion wear. I’m not sure that’s what I’d call it. It’s more like stuff you could wear shopping, to work, or out to a casual dinner.

Plot twist: the shoes…

The styling instructions put high heels with some of the outfits that I thought would be better in sneakers. But I’m not the client, so they get what they want.

I’ll make sure some samples get posted later.

I want to make sure Evelyn and Olivia appear—Olivia was here this morning and Evelyn is coming after lunch. I’ll make sure you get to see something from each of them. Izzy just left to go meet Olivia for one of their trauma program follow-up visits. I’ll share one of Izzy’s shots, too.

After working with Olivia, I feel pretty good about Naomi’s idea for the X-Team models. We’ve joked about the name and description, but it seems like “closer to 50 than to 20” is starting to stick.

Clay, however, did the math. “So, over 35?”

While that seems accurate, it also feels much less fun.. I like X-Team. I could live with X Team, too!

I think I’m rambling and should get back to work. See you soon!

THE LOOKS by Ailana Geven Keller

Ladies and gentlemen, we have photos! I think you’ll agree that these ladies have the looks!

Of the three, Olivia was first to stop by. We slowed down a little so she wouldn’t feel pressured, but I honestly think we didn’t need to. Vanessa reminded us that Olivia was a surgeon and an ER doctor. Changing clothes and smiling are probably not going to stress her out.

Good point.

Izzy came by and was the subject of some amazing shots. Between them, she was talking to Jasmine and Kaylee about their Seattle experience.

“Yeah, sometimes,” Izzy said, “going fast and getting everything shot comes before getting a handful of award winners.”

“The sundress session looked like a comedy act!” Kaylee replied. “Six girls all at once… Pull one off… put another one on. Get your hair fluffed, and go smile!”

I was reminded of sessions like that. Izzy speculated that they did great. I have no doubt Izzy was right.

Evelyn came after lunch. Evelyn came after lunch. As with Olivia, she brought a presence and calm with her through the process. I think the essence of it was that she was confident and unafraid. If she got it wrong, she knew it wasn’t the end of her world.

At the risk of overanalyzing this, I think there’s a difference between how you feel doing a favor for someone and how you feel when you’re trying to prove yourself. I’m still thinking about this, but I think I’m in the ballpark of something meaningful.

For today, I decided to just share these three images. They seemed fun and relevant.

The day’s not over, so you can keep your eyes open for more. See you then.

I JUST WATCHED by Ailana Geven Keller

There’s a phenomenon that can occur in relationships, where teaching moments arise that could never be manufactured and experiences become integrated in ways that could never be predicted.

I saw both happen this afternoon.

Emily got here before Olivia and Jenna did. She and I talked about her schoolwork. She shared that Josh—schoolmaster for the day—made some progress on the adoption details.

Olivia and Jenna arrived, and Olivia said, “This is it. Is it what you expected?”

“Looks like things I’ve seen in pictures,” Jenna replied.

Then Olivia began showing Jenna around. I listened as she explained how things worked from her point of view.

“I assume,” she said, “if there are more models working at the same time, the pace is steadier on set.”

I was impressed by her insight. She went on to explain details about the shoot. She was right about everything she explained.

“Where’s the camera?” Jenna said. “I’m sure you’re not using an iPhone.”

“It’s right here.” Emily showed Jenna the camera and told her how it was synced to the lights. “I’ll take one and show you.”

Jenna looked at Olivia. “Come on.”

Emily took a picture of the two of them and explained how the camera talked to the studio light system by remote.

“Take one of Jenna for Dan,” Olivia said.

“My shoes are filthy,” Jenna replied. “It will be cringe.”

I was processing the shoe comment, but Emily had a solution.

“Then take them off,” Emily said. “It will be, like, professional.”

I was a little surprised Jenna thought that was better. I’ll have to do some research, I guess.

Emily took a few and showed them to Olivia and Jenna.

“Send that one to me for Dan,” Olivia said about one of them.

“Ooo…” Jenna smiled. “Can you send that one to the Snap group?”

Emily said she could.

As Emily and Jenna played around, taking turns running the camera, Olivia came to me. “Thanks for letting me do this. She means a lot to me.”

I smiled, thinking about Emily. “I think I know somewhat how you feel.”

GOOD NIGHT by Ailana Geven Keller

Today went well. Really well, actually. And I think the biggest thing I’m taking away from it is that AGI Creative has settled into being a solid team.

We’ve done enough of these shoots now that nobody is wondering what happens next. Jasmine and Kaylee know where they need to be. Sasha keeps the moving parts moving. Clay and Jason jump in wherever they’re useful. I can look around the studio and see people doing their jobs without needing a committee meeting first.

That feels good.

The X-Team experiment feels good, too. Olivia was easy to work with. Evelyn was easy to work with. There’s something cool, calm, and confident about the women Naomi has put together for this. They don’t walk onto the set needing to prove anything. They listen, they adjust, they laugh when something goes sideways, and then they keep going.

I like that energy.

And then there was Emily.

Her enthusiasm today was delightful. She likes photography. She thinks it’s fun. But she’s also been very clear that she has no plan to make it her main thing, and I think that’s perfectly fine. Not everything you enjoy has to become your career.

She can have fun with a camera. She can learn how to use it well. And someday, if she wants, she can use photography to support her writing and tell better stories.

That sounds like a pretty good reason to keep learning.

So that was today: models, lights, cameras, a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and one more reminder that this little creative operation has become something real.

Tomorrow, it’s back to work!

Edits await.

For tonight, though, I’m calling it. The coffee is probably a questionable bedtime decision, but I’ll accept the consequences.

May you find people who make your work lighter, confidence that makes challenges easier, and interests that bring you joy whether or not they ever become anything more.

Good night.

Be your best you!

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