Page 41 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Thirteen

The Gulfstream G650 jet was comfortably in flight when the ‘fasten your seatbelt’ sign went off. Desiree pulled a bag into her lap and removed a notepad and ink pen.

“Do you mind if I ask you some questions, Julian?”

I folded my fingers together and stretched my legs out, crossing them at the ankles. “Not at all, ask away.”

Desiree smiled sweetly. “What process do you take to create a photo spread? And more specifically, how do you choose your themes?”

“My team is an essential part of my creativity. Without them, I couldn’t possibly put together an efficient photoshoot. The same crew is with me on most assignments. My assistant, Kelsey, whom you met getting on board; a casting director, fashion stylist, hair and make-up artists, photographers, a prop stylist and manicurist, and of course the models are all a part of bringing the vision to life.”

Desiree scribbled on her notepad as I spoke.

“Let me know if you need a minute to write this down,” I said.

“Thank you,” she responded. “Continue.”

“The first person I speak with is my photographer because I need him or her to have an understanding of what the theme involves. The photographer then tells the fashion stylist who then picks out the complete wardrobe for the models. The rest of the crew is briefed on the theme and ideas and planning take place. Creating a storyboard happens at this phase. For example; the theme for this spread is, ‘A day in the life of an Arabian king.’ So, throughout the photoshoot, we’ll align ourselves with different props to bring those images to life.”

I paused to give her time to finish scribbling. Desiree nodded slowly as she jotted down what I’d said. Relaxing in her chair, she crossed her legs.

“Earlier this week, you told me the Prime Minister had called. Did you have this theme in mind before or after that phone call was made?”

“It was a back burner story idea, one that I hadn’t shared with my team. I was currently shooting a single spread on a newly engaged couple. You may have heard of them, Shelby Nichole Donahue and Sebastian Cartwright.”

Desiree sat forward and pointed her ink pen. “The famous artist and photographer?”

“Yes,” I smiled.

“I shot a spread with Sebastian in Venice, and he and his best friend, Shelby, fell in love and are now engaged. She was eight months pregnant when I shot the pictures.”

“Wow,” Desiree said. “This is off topic, but, do you know them well at all?”

“I wouldn’t say I knew them well, but we’ve become acquainted enough that I received an invitation to their wedding.”

“A royal wedding,” Desiree mused, and I chuckled.

“Something like that.”

“You said they fell in love. So how long had they known each other?”

“The way it was told to me is they’ve known each other since grade school.”

“Wow again,” Desiree said. “Sounds like a fairy tale. I didn’t know things like that happened in real life.”

“They do,” I said.

Desiree’s gaze wandered off as she sat in thought.

“Do you believe in love, Desiree?”

Bringing her eyes back to me, she shifted in her seat. “Sure.”

I arched a brow. “Are you certain?”

She bit her bottom lip. “Yeah, I don’t know,” she finally said. “I’m sure love exists and some people find it, but some people don’t. So I guess it would depend on who you ask.”

“I’m asking you.”

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