Roxie stood in the middle of the bright studio, her eyes adjusting to the intense lights shining down on her. The large white backdrop seemed to stretch forever, creating a blank canvas for whatever Mia and Ryan had envisioned. Her palms were damp, and despite Nick's pep talk the night before, the familiar knot of nerves twisted in her stomach.
Ryan stood nearby, leaning against a table covered with photo equipment, watching her with an encouraging smile. His presence was reassuring, but it didn't completely calm the racing thoughts in Roxie's head. She tugged at the hem of her blouse, suddenly hyper-aware of everything, the way her jeans fit, whether her hair looked frizzy, if she was standing weird. Every self-conscious thought she had was magnified under the glaring studio lights.
Mia, the photographer, adjusted the camera on her tripod, her sharp, focused movements giving off an air of total professionalism. Roxie could see immediately why Ryan had chosen her for the shoot, Mia was no-nonsense but had an artistic edge that made the whole setup feel elevated.
"Alright, Roxanne," Mia said, glancing up from her camera and giving her a brief smile. "We're going to start simple, headshots first. Let's see your best natural look, no over-the-top posing."
Roxie swallowed, giving a quick nod. "Got it."
She stepped into the center of the backdrop, planting her feet on the marked spot on the floor. The lights felt hot on her skin, and as she stared into the lens, the nerves began to creep back. She forced herself to smile, though it felt stiff, and her muscles tensed as she waited for Mia to start shooting.
The first few clicks of the camera felt jarring. Mia didn't say much, just gave a few quick directions as she snapped the shots.
"Chin up a little. Relax your shoulders. Look directly into the lens."
Roxie tried to adjust, but the more she thought about it, the more awkward she felt. Her hands felt out of place, should she leave them at her sides? Cross her arms? Everything about the situation felt foreign, like she was playing a role she hadn't rehearsed for.
Ryan must have sensed her discomfort because he stepped forward, offering her a calm, reassuring smile. "Hey, relax," he said softly, his voice cutting through the tension. "You've got this. Don't overthink it, just be yourself. That's all we're going for here."
Roxie glanced at him, feeling the knot in her stomach loosen just a little. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves.
Mia nodded, her expression softening. "He's right. You're doing fine, Roxanne. Just take a breath and let your natural self come through. No need to force it."
Roxie exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders back. She took a moment to center herself, reminding herself that she belonged here. This was part of the process. She'd come this far, there was no backing out now.
When the camera clicked again, Roxie let herself relax a little more. She didn't worry about striking the perfect pose or holding the exact right expression. Instead, she let the tension in her face soften, her eyes focusing on the lens with a more natural gaze. Mia clicked the shutter a few more times, offering small notes of encouragement as she went.
"That's better. Chin down slightly. There you go."
Roxie started to feel the shift. She wasn't fully comfortable yet, but with each shot, the anxiety began to melt away. Mia's steady direction and Ryan's quiet confidence made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could handle this.
After the headshots, Mia directed her to change into one of the other outfits she'd brought, a soft blue sundress. Roxie slipped into the changing area, quickly switching clothes, and when she emerged, Ryan gave her an approving nod.
"Perfect," he said. "That's exactly the look we're going for. Something fresh, something approachable."
Back in front of the camera, Roxie felt more in tune with herself. The sundress flowed around her as she moved, and she found herself smiling naturally between shots. Mia took a variety of poses, some with Roxie standing, others sitting, and a few playful action shots where she spun slightly, letting the fabric of her dress flare out.
"Good, good," Mia said, her voice more upbeat now. "That's exactly what we need. Keep going, don't be afraid to move."
Roxie could feel the shift happening. What had started as a stiff, nerve-wracking experience was slowly becoming fun. She stopped worrying about whether she looked "professional" enough or whether she was doing it right. Instead, she let herself enjoy the moment, her confidence building with each click of the camera.
By the end of the session, Mia was smiling as she reviewed the shots on her camera.
"Take a look," Mia said, waving Roxie over to the monitor. "I think we've got some great ones here."
Roxie's breath caught as she saw the images pop up on the screen. There she was, staring back at herself, but different. More confident. More composed. The headshots were clean, polished, yet still felt like her. In the more dynamic shots, she looked almost... professional. Like someone who belonged in the industry.
Ryan stepped up beside her, nodding in approval. "Told you we'd make you look like a star."
Roxie couldn't help but smile. For the first time, she saw a glimpse of herself as the actress she wanted to become. It wasn't just a dream anymore. This was real.
"You did great, Roxanne," Mia added, snapping her camera shut. "Once I finish the edits, I'll send the final shots to Ryan, and he can start using them for your portfolio."
"Thank you," Roxie said, still processing the fact that those pictures were hers. "I... I really appreciate it."
Mia gave her a friendly nod. "You've got a good look. Just keep at it."
As they wrapped up, Roxie changed back into her original outfit, still buzzing from the experience. She couldn't believe how quickly the nerves had melted away once she allowed herself to settle into the moment.
When they stepped out of the studio, the late afternoon sun bathed the city in a golden glow. Roxie felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The photoshoot had been more than just a professional stepping stone, it had been a small victory for her confidence, a reassurance that she could do this.
Ryan walked beside her, scrolling through his phone. "I'll let you know as soon as we get the final shots," he said, glancing up at her. "I'm going to send these to a few people right away. This is going to open some doors for you."
Roxie nodded, her heart still racing with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. "I can't believe how much better I felt by the end of it."
"You're a natural," Ryan said, smiling at her. "You just needed a little push."
Roxie felt a surge of gratitude, not just for the photoshoot, but for everything Ryan had done to get her to this point. She was on the verge of something real, something bigger than she'd ever imagined. And for the first time, she was starting to believe she could handle it.
As Roxie walked home from the photoshoot, the city felt more alive than ever. The vibrant colors of Los Angeles seemed sharper, the buzz of the streets more rhythmic, and even the scent of the food trucks she passed felt richer. It was as if the weight of self-doubt that had been dragging her down was slowly lifting, piece by piece.
The photoshoot had been a turning point. For so long, she had felt like she was faking it, playing the role of the "aspiring actress" without any real hope of breaking through. But now, with Mia's professional photos capturing the best version of her, Roxie began to see herself differently. It wasn't just about how she looked in the pictures; it was about seeing a glimpse of what she could become if she kept pushing forward.
By the time she reached her apartment, the warm glow of confidence still clung to her, even though her feet ached from the day's events. As she stepped into her familiar living space, Roxie felt the contrast between the tiny, cramped apartment and the potential future she had just tasted. She set her bag down by the couch, feeling the buzz of excitement simmering beneath the surface.
But as she settled onto the couch, her phone buzzing with notifications, the reality of her journey hit her. The photos were great, and Ryan was clearly invested in her, but there were still so many unknowns. What if the casting agents didn't bite? What if, despite all of this, she still couldn't land a gig?
Her phone buzzed again. It was Ryan.
Ryan: Just sent the photos to a few key people. Things are moving fast, get ready.
Roxie smiled at the message, feeling that familiar blend of excitement and anxiety. The idea of things "moving fast" was both thrilling and terrifying. She wasn't used to things working out so smoothly, and it was hard to shake the fear that it could all come crashing down at any moment.
Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything substantial since breakfast. She quickly fixed herself a small dinner, just some leftover pasta and a salad, and sat at her tiny kitchen table. The sounds of the city filtered in through the window, the hum of traffic and distant chatter providing a soundtrack to her quiet thoughts.
As she ate, her mind drifted back to the Southwest Airlines commercial Ryan had mentioned. It was the next big step, and while the photoshoot had given her a boost of confidence, the looming audition was another beast entirely. A national commercial meant major exposure, and major pressure.
She hadn't even auditioned yet, but she could already feel the weight of it. Every opportunity was important, and each one came with the potential for both success and failure.
Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. This time, it wasn't Ryan, it was Janie.
Janie: How'd the photoshoot go, kid?
Roxie smiled as she typed back.
Roxie: It went great. Felt awkward at first, but I got the hang of it. The photos turned out better than I expected.
A minute later, Janie responded.
Janie: Glad to hear it. Just remember, kid, don't let this business chew you up. Keep your head on straight.
Roxie paused before replying, appreciating the balance between Janie's tough love and genuine concern. She knew Janie meant well, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for her steady presence in her life. Despite Janie's occasional bluntness, she was one of the few people who kept Roxie grounded.
Roxie: I won't, I promise.
Roxie finished her dinner and cleaned up, the weight of the day finally starting to settle in. She felt tired, but it wasn't the same kind of exhaustion that usually hit after a long day at the diner. This was a different kind of fatigue, the kind that came from moving closer to something she wanted, even if she wasn't sure how to handle all of the changes yet.
As she settled into bed that night, wrapped in her purple comforter, Roxie's thoughts swirled around the upcoming audition. She had a lot to prepare for, but she was starting to believe that maybe she could handle whatever came next.
She closed her eyes, her mind spinning with thoughts of her photos, the audition, and the possibilities that lay ahead. There was still fear, there always was, but for the first time in a long while, the excitement was louder.