Round One | Leah (Patreon)

Round One | Leah

This set with Leah was shot inside a boxing gym in Tucson, Arizona. The goal from the beginning was to make it feel old school. We wanted it to look like something that could've existed decades ago—warm colors, worn equipment, sunlight pouring through the front windows, and a gym that looked like it had stories to tell.

The location wasn't random either. Leah's brother is a professional boxer, which is how we got access to the gym. As soon as I walked in, I knew it was perfect. Everything felt authentic. Nothing was overly polished or staged. The scuffed ring ropes, the heavy bags, the old equipment, even the faded mats all added character that you simply can't fake.

I think that's why these images work.

The color palette is incredibly simple. The white outfit, hand wraps, socks, and sneakers all play together, while the red and blue details from the ring and equipment tie everything back into the boxing theme. It's coordinated without feeling forced.

I also like the contrast between the subject and the environment. Boxing gyms are usually associated with grit, discipline, and hard work. Bringing a fashion and boudoir approach into that space creates something unexpected. The images end up feeling athletic, feminine, and cinematic all at the same time.

A lot of these frames were shot wide enough that the environment still matters. The gym isn't just a background—it's part of the story. The ring ropes frame her, the heavy bags create depth, and the equipment gives your eye places to travel through the image.

Sometimes the best sets come from finding locations that already have personality. This gym had decades of it built into every corner, and all we had to do was lean into the atmosphere that was already there.