There she was standing on her toes, looking outside the large window into the garden and the city beyond.

She was curious to discover that world outside.

As I was preparing the lights in our studio for the next setting, I saw her and quickly grabbed my camera and took that shot.

We did many great photos that days but this one holds a special place, for it was just a moment, a moment that defined the little Claire.

We can’t see her face on that photo, and yet it tells us a lot about her, the curiosity that animates her, the will to see even further by getting higher on her toes.

There’s emotion and imagination here.

We’ve all looked at the window daydreaming, yet she does it in much cuter way that I have ever done, and we can’t stop but wonder what was she looking at, what was so fascinating to her that for a short while nothing around mattered as she just starred at the city view.

This photo “works” because it is unique and universal at the same time, it’s her and it’s also all of us, in a moment we can all relate, we have all experienced.

A portrait for me is about telling a story, a person’s story.

And there are many ways to achieve that, but getting to know and understand your subject is key to making great photos, and also you have to be quick !

Nico