Monochrome in Hollywood — Chelsea (Patreon)

Monochrome in Hollywood — Chelsea

This was actually the first set Chelsea and I shot together, and looking back on it now, it still holds up in a way that I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.

We kept everything super simple—just straight window light. No crazy setups, no overthinking it. The house did most of the work. It was this unreal mid-century modern place tucked into the hills, and the light just poured in perfectly. Soft, directional, but still enough contrast to give everything shape. It’s the kind of location where you almost feel like you can’t mess it up.

I remember being there thinking like… this is exactly what I pictured when I thought about shooting in LA. Just being in a house like that, working with someone like Chelsea, it all felt a little surreal—especially since it was only my second time ever being out there.

From a photo standpoint, this set is really about restraint. Letting the highlights breathe, letting the shadows fall off naturally, not trying to force anything. The monochrome just strips it down even more—it becomes all about form, light, and subtle expression. No distractions.

This whole trip, honestly, was a turning point for me. It was one of the first times where I realized I didn’t just like doing this—I actually wanted to chase it. Being in a new place, creating work that felt elevated compared to what I was used to… it flipped a switch.