On the Stairs — Chelsea, Hollywood Hills (Patreon)

On the Stairs — Chelsea, Hollywood Hills

This set with Chelsea came out of one of those moments where the location is doing just as much work as the subject. We were up in the Hollywood Hills, staying in a mid-century modern house literally carved into the side of the hill, and the staircase immediately stood out. It wasn’t just functional—it was sculptural. Clean lines, warm wood, open space… everything about it was intentional.

Growing up, this was the kind of place I always pictured—like the “LA dream” house. Actually getting to live in it, even for a week, and then create in it, was one of those full-circle moments. It’s one of those things about photography that still doesn’t feel real sometimes—you get to go places like this and turn it into something.

From a shooting standpoint, the stairs gave us everything: leading lines, elevation changes, and built-in framing. I leaned into those top-down angles to exaggerate shape and symmetry, especially with how the wood steps break up the composition. Then flipping it low and shooting upward completely changes the energy—suddenly it feels bigger, more cinematic, almost like the space is towering over her.

The light was doing a lot too. Mid-century homes are designed for it—big openings, natural spill, nothing cluttered. You don’t have to fight the environment, you just place your subject in it. That’s why these feel so clean. It’s not overcomplicated, it’s just using what’s already there at the highest level.

And yeah—I say all the time that location doesn’t matter… but that’s only half true. If you’re chasing a very specific look, something like this can’t really be faked. When you think Hollywood Hills, this is exactly what comes to mind. The architecture, the tones, the openness—it all feeds into the final image.

This set is a good reminder: when the space is right, you don’t need to force anything. You just have to see it.