Jeremy Sachs-Michaels is a photographer who has captured the delicate nuances of life with his girlfriend, Lauren, creating a compelling visual narrative over several years. His work delves into the intimacy of relationships, exploring the unspoken moments and shared experiences that define connection. In this insightful interview, Sachs-Michaels reveals his motivations, creative process, and the significance of preserving these moments, prompting us to consider how we too can cherish our memories, perhaps through services like Michaels Photo Printing, to bring our own intimate moments to life.
Jeremy Sachs-Michaels photographing Lauren, showcasing his intimate portrait photography style
Kim Sikora: Photographing someone so close to you, are there any boundaries surrounding moments that can be shared through your photography?
Jeremy Sachs-Michaels: Boundaries definitely exist, but they are more self-imposed than dictated by Lauren. She has incredible trust in my vision, and I am constantly photographing her. The real boundary emerges during the editing process. It’s then that I become selective about how I want to portray her. There are images I deeply cherish that I know will never be public. A piece of advice from a mentor always resonates with me: “Just because someone expects something from you as a photographer, doesn’t mean you have to give it.” He was likely referring to business, but it directly applies to my editing. I could include more overtly sensual or provocative images, but sometimes those elements can overshadow the subtle beauty I aim to capture. For me, the power lies in quiet subtlety, in the moments that whisper rather than shout. This careful curation ensures the essence of our connection is genuinely conveyed, especially when considering how these images might be presented – perhaps even as photo prints to be shared or displayed intimately.
Lauren in a candid moment, part of Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' ongoing intimate photography project
Another intimate photograph of Lauren by Jeremy Sachs-Michaels, highlighting the personal nature of his work
KS: When you are photographing Lauren, are there specific moments you hope to capture? How do you discern which times are meaningful enough to photograph versus those that are not?
JSM: It’s rarely a premeditated moment. Meaning often reveals itself in retrospect, when I review the images. We could be anywhere, even at home, and a confluence of factors – Lauren’s expression, the quality of light, the atmosphere – will coalesce into something photographically meaningful. Conversely, there are times when I anticipate a meaningful moment, capture it, and it simply falls flat in the photograph. In many ways, it’s a process of experimentation and intuition. I dedicate a significant amount of time studying my own work and the work of others, constantly refining my understanding of what resonates and what doesn’t. This intuitive approach is key to capturing authentic emotion, the kind that deserves to be remembered, perhaps even through photo printing to preserve these fleeting instances.
Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' photography capturing a naturally lit portrait of Lauren
A black and white photograph of Lauren, showcasing the emotional depth in Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' intimate portraits
Intimate portrait of Lauren in soft light, characteristic of Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' photographic style
KS: What are your strategies for balancing your time between commercial and personal photographic work?
JSM: Balancing commercial and personal work is a continuous challenge, but it often works out serendipitously. Frequently, my personal projects pave the way for commercial opportunities. For instance, Lauren and I recently collaborated on a fashion lifestyle shoot. I was hired as the photographer because they admired how I photograph her in my personal work, and subsequently, they hired her as the model. My approach is quite straightforward: if commercial work demands my attention, I prioritize it. Otherwise, I immerse myself in my personal projects. For most of the photographs of Lauren, all I truly need is my camera. This is photography at its most fundamental. There are no elaborate techniques or tricks involved. I simply try to connect with the moment and let my intuition guide me. If it feels genuine, I continue. And sometimes, these deeply personal images, when printed, can even become unique and meaningful gifts or pieces of art, much like prints you might create using services such as Michaels photo printing for personal use.
Jeremy Sachs-Michaels photographing Lauren in a lifestyle setting, blurring lines between personal and commercial work
KS: Are there specific photos within this collection that hold a particularly significant story?
JSM: Every photograph in this series carries a story.
Take the image from our snowshoeing trip in Grand Teton last winter. We were completely isolated, walking on a deep blanket of snow. Lauren, in a playful moment, was showing off her walking style and suddenly plunged through the snow, unable to get up. I was in a similar precarious position and couldn’t risk pulling her out without falling through myself, so, instinctively, I captured the moment instead.
Lauren playfully falling into deep snow, a story captured in Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' photography
The photograph of Lauren crying was taken shortly after my grandfather passed away. We had traveled upstate to be with my family, and during the drive, she was overcome with emotion. It was a bittersweet moment. She was grieving, and yet, her tears for my grandfather were a profound acknowledgment of her becoming an integral part of my family, which, in a way, brought me a sense of solace amidst the sadness.
Lauren in tears, a deeply emotional moment captured by Jeremy Sachs-Michaels, reflecting shared grief and intimacy
Lauren has two cockatiels, Angel and Dennis, who are very dear to her. They require regular baths, and this particular photograph captures one of those routine moments. It might seem ordinary, but I find a unique beauty in its simplicity and tenderness.
Lauren bathing her cockatiels, a tender and everyday moment in Jeremy Sachs-Michaels' series
The image of the handprint on her face is from a morning when I was leaving early for a shoot, before she woke up. She must have slept on her hand and rolled over while I was showering. I noticed the distinct mark as I was getting dressed. To me, it’s a photograph that embodies both beauty and tranquility – she’s asleep, bathed in soft morning light – yet the stark redness of the handprint introduces an element of the unexpected and somewhat jarring into the peaceful scene. These stories behind the images reveal the depth and intimacy Jeremy Sachs-Michaels captures, reminding us of the power of photography to preserve not just images, but the emotions and narratives interwoven within our lives. Consider capturing and printing your own meaningful moments, perhaps using services like Michaels photo printing, to keep your cherished memories tangible and close.
