The sky was cloudless, and the scorching sun painted the world in a dazzling golden hue. Even without looking up, Bruce Douglas could barely keep his eyes open.
Bruce squinted, like someone with severe nearsightedness who had forgotten his glasses at home, fumbling his way forward.
Pushing open the large doors of the warehouse where the photoshoot was taking place, he leaned against the wall, lit a cigarette, and then slowly slid down to sit with his back against it, taking a deep breath.
He was feeling a bit agitated.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't be standing under the California sun, baking in its heat. It was hard to believe that this was still "spring"—at least according to the calendar, summer was yet to arrive—but the sun was already so blistering that after just thirty seconds outside, he felt like he might evaporate.
Yet his mind was still blank.
No ideas, no inspiration, just emptiness. He needed some fresh air.
Annoying.
As a top fashion and portrait photographer, Bruce's job was to shoot stunning spreads, capturing the essence of the models and showcasing the vibrancy of the clothing.
Today, he was shooting Anson Wood, a newcomer who had recently garnered a lot of attention due to his guest appearance on *Friends*.
Under normal circumstances, a newcomer like Anson would never get the opportunity for a magazine shoot. Even though *GQ* wasn't at the level of *Vogue* or *Elle*, it was still a coveted magazine for male actors in North America. The competition was fierce, even for a spot in the inner pages.
Forget guest-starring on *Friends*—even the lead in a summer blockbuster might struggle to secure a magazine feature amidst the upcoming summer's crowded promotional field, with so many projects and actors vying for attention.
*GQ* was undeniably one of the key battlegrounds.
However...
Rumor had it that David Crane himself vouched for Anson, and combined with the unexpectedly stellar ratings of *Friends*, Anson had suddenly become a focal point. After some deliberation, *GQ's* editor-in-chief decided to feature Anson as a model in the inner pages. After all, his looks and presence were undeniably striking.
Not as an actor, but as a model—
Commonly known as a pretty face.
Of course, there was also an interview included, which was already a generous offering.
But none of this concerned Bruce; he was just the photographer.
Shooting for a magazine was simply a job, not an artistic endeavor. He received assignments, completed them, and then waited for the next one.
That was all.
To be honest, when he first heard that Anson would be the subject of the shoot, Bruce was curious but more so apprehensive. He wasn't sure how Anson would perform in front of the camera, because while there were similarities to acting, photography was an entirely different skill. Being "good-looking" didn't necessarily mean good photos.
Bruce had photographed countless actors, models, and other public figures throughout his career, and good looks didn't always translate into good pictures. In photography, capturing that fleeting moment of charisma and spirit was critical—
And not every model possessed that kind of presence.
Models, actors, and people are all different.
Take Josh Hartnett, for example.
Or Kate Beckinsale.
First and foremost, they were both very attractive—stunningly so, the kind of beauty that would leave you speechless when seen in person. Even in Hollywood, where good looks abound, they still managed to stand out. There was no doubt about that.
However, their flat photos lack "life." The film simply can't capture their essence; or perhaps it's the other way around—they don't know how to present their vitality in front of the camera.
As a result, when the audience sees them in person, they are often astonished, exclaiming that they look even better in real life.
Many beautiful models are like this.
This is precisely why fashion designers and photographers often don't prefer models who are too good-looking. It's not that they don't aspire to or expect beauty, but because they lean towards sharp features and unique personalities that can better showcase the colors of their work.
Bruce is now worried that Anson might face the same problem.
Despite the recent praise for Anson being overwhelmingly positive, none of them are amateurs; they all know how these so-called trends work, and this praise does little to ease Bruce's concerns and considerations.
Looking good is important, but in Hollywood, it's the least important thing.
And that's not all.
The theme for the shoot, and for fashion in general, is determined through discussions among the editor-in-chief and the editorial team, based on the content of that magazine issue. In the end, the theme they decided on for Anson was:
"Vitality in a Suit."
Bruce: ...
A suit. A suit. A suit.
Out of ten male actors, eight are photographed in suits. "GQ's" core theme never strays far from formal wear, lacking any new ideas.
To the photographer, it's almost like an assembly line.
If that were all, Bruce wouldn't mind. Assembly line work? Fine. Get the job done, take the money, and walk away—easy.
The problem is!
This is already the third suit-themed photoshoot in just one week.
——Damn.
Bruce wants to curse out loud. He's completely out of inspiration—there's none left.
The first suit shoot was with the "X-Men" cast, photographing Hugh Jackman, who was also the cover star for "GQ's" July issue.
Bruce was very satisfied with the shoot's success. Jackman has this unique charm, a blend of gentleman and boxer, as powerful as Niagara Falls.
No wonder he's the cover star.
The second suit shoot was with Brad Pitt. As the happiest man of the summer, with his wedding approaching, "GQ" invited Brad for a series of groom-themed shoots to showcase the appeal of a man at his wedding.
Honestly, the process wasn't easy, but Bruce managed to find a way to capture the masculine tenderness in Brad, drawing inspiration from "Legends of the Fall," perfectly complementing the image of a soon-to-be-married happy man.
After that shoot, Bruce felt like he had exhausted every bit of creative energy, depleting his reservoir of suit-themed inspiration for the foreseeable future.
And yet...
Bruce strongly suspects that the editorial team at "GQ" isn't satisfied with David Klein's bait-and-switch tactics with the "Friends" group interview. Even though they've agreed to give Anson an inner spread and interview, the group interview with "Friends" still hasn't been finalized, leading the editorial team to feel like they've been duped. So now, they're deliberately setting up a trap for Anson, to give him a hard lesson.
Smack.
Bruce took a long drag from his cigarette. He didn't even have the strength to curse anymore. His mind was a mess, with no ideas surfacing.
He didn't know how today's shoot was supposed to go. After Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt, how was he supposed to make the same theme look fresh again? Should he just make a run for it now?
For a moment, Bruce couldn't tell whether "GQ" was messing with him or Anson.
Rumble.
From far to near, the sound of wheels came closer. Bruce instinctively turned toward the noise and saw a young guy riding a skateboard through the wind. The sunlight and heat waves rippled beneath his feet like ocean waves.
Youthful and full of vitality, a breeze from the valley cut through the heat, bringing a refreshing gust his way. Bruce couldn't see his face clearly due to the backlighting; his features were hidden in a halo of light, but Bruce couldn't help but be curious about the face.
Instinctively.
With a cigarette in his mouth, Bruce raised his hands, using his thumbs and index fingers to form a framing square, composing the shot in his mind as if his brain were the film reel.
And then.
Click!
Seventh update.