Third day with Maria. (Patreon)

Third and last, in many ways...After a rain that lasted most of the night, we decided to try the beach on the river Adda anyway, and it was a good idea, because the walk in the woods was not too damp, and nature was at its best once we reached the location.We shot a total of 1,194 frames, including numerous candids of her fooling around behind the scenes.From our 3rd day, on the new nudist beach, I've selected this photo shot on the Leica M10 Monochrom + Summilux-M 50mm, from one of the best corners in this location, what I will call "the wall of moss" from now on. We discovered this spot towards the end of our shooting, with the Sun that was turning the corner and casting unwanted light on Maria's bottom, creating messy shadows.I've shot many other photos before the sun crept in the frame, that are better than this one, but I want to prepare them with more care.I chose this for you today because, albeit in a messy way, the sun is highlighting the bottom of Maria like some kind of a benediction.

And I feel blessed as well because, talking with Maria, I discovered she is planning to leave the life as a model, and she already cancelled many other works before and after mine in August.Apparently it was since April she was not posing for anybody, and I happened to be just a happy accident along the way.She enjoyed modeling, but it was more of a way to build up an audience for all the other projects she has in mind, than a lasting career.She is not regretting having done nudes like most other models, on the contrary, and she still wants to be tagged in every photo, but now that she has plenty of followers everywhere, she prefers to concentrate only on the few projects she believe to be more in tune with her personality.Today I'm taking her to the airport, and it is going to be the saddest of goodbyes, because it's unlikely I will ever see her again.I will try also next year to invite her to work with me, because she might have changed her mind by then, but it is unlikely. Modeling has been a chapter in her life, one we will never forget, thanks to the monumental work I did with her during the past 2 years, but it is over.

Once more, we have to be honored for having had the chance to witness her talent as a model, and my photos are going to become more and more precious with the passing of time, having been one of the few photographers allowed to work with her, and until the very end.We also have to be happy for her and for her new adventures, so keep following her and buy her paintings if you like them, concerning the photos, I will give you plenty in the years to come, not all at once, but one tiny sip at the time, like good whiskey.

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