Nando

Working with Nando was a special experience from the very beginning. He is a young Dutch model with a strong presence, but what stayed with me the most was not only his beauty in front of the camera. It was his energy, his warmth, and the natural way he stepped into the mood of the shoot.

That day, we spent a lot of time talking. In between photos, Nando shared some of the things he had been going through recently, and he also spoke openly about the ups and downs of his modeling career. It was something that truly moved me. With time, I have learned that a photoshoot can become a moment of vulnerability. Not everyone feels comfortable enough to open up, and not every space feels safe enough for that to happen.

But with Nando, something very honest appeared. We were able to stop, talk, and connect with open hearts. That human connection gave this series a deeper meaning for me. These images are not only special because of his physical beauty, but because they also hold something more fragile and more real: his humanity, his softness, and his strength at the same time.

There is a quiet intimacy in these photographs. A sense of stillness. A young man inhabiting his body, his thoughts, and the space around him with honesty. For me, that is where the real beauty lives. Not in perfection, but in presence. Not only in what is seen, but in what is felt.

Nando told me he is coming back to the modeling world with strength, and these were some of the first images he was making since his return. That makes this series even more meaningful to me. I truly hope to see him grow, succeed, and take his place again with confidence. And maybe, just like we joked and wished that day, we will meet again soon, somewhere in the middle of Milan Fashion Week.