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Fifteen minutes. That was all the time San Francisco-based photographer Saroyan Humphrey had with writer Isabel Allende. Commissioned to shoot a portrait of her for a forthcoming article in The Observer — U.K.’s sister publication to the Guardian — Saroyan drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to Isabel’s office in Sausalito for a brief, but special time with this extraordinary woman.
The article came in conjunction with the release of Isabel Allende’s new book, “Violeta.” Deputy Photo Editor Josy Forsdike of The Observer set up the shoot, leaving it to Saroyan and Isabel’s son and personal assistant Nicolas to coordinate details.
I have worked with The Observer in the past and am so appreciative of the assignments they have offered me. Over the last five years roughly, I have shot a number of writers and artists for them. I’m not sure how they found me originally, but am thankful they contact me every now and again.
With loose directions ahead of time and a limited window to find a suitable location at her office, Saroyan had to trust his ability to shoot in the moment. All of his past assignments with The Observer have been environmental portraits, so at the very least, he was familiar with the trepidation that comes with an unfamiliar destination.
It’s always a bit nerve-wracking not knowing what things look like until the day of the shoot.
But there was nothing to worry about. Both Isabel and her son Nicolas were gracious with time, generously allowing Saroyan to roam around and move some furniture until he found two appealing locations — one indoor, one outdoor.
While he was searching for a location outside, Saroyan saw a single camellia on a vine at the edge of the property. It seemed fated that the flower should appear as it markedly echoed the illustration on her new book.
It was such a jolt of color I thought it would be lovely to include somehow. Isabel liked it as well and was so thrilled she plucked the flower and moved it lower in the greenery so that it would be closer to her in the shot.
After they were done shooting, Isabel brought the camellia inside and put it in some water. Saroyan loves these details, the tiny moments of beauty that reveal who a person is. He is as observant as a writer. Even in the brief time they shared, his appreciation for the process of discovering a person’s inner workings helped him connect with Isabel to create warm, engaging portraits.
I have always been fascinated with faces. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve watched people and would notice moods change with shifts in facial features. With portraiture, it’s a way to see a person in a new way. A small shift here or there, a dramatic movement, or subtle change, and the portrait is somehow different, conveying a feeling of some sort, a slight tilt, or shift. It’s endlessly fascinating and it’s a way of connecting in conversation, sometimes without even talking.
Before Saroyan left, Isabel signed a copy of her new book for him and drew a flower on the page as a memento of their time together.
She was natural, professional, and down-to-earth. I remember asking her about the recent HBO miniseries about her life, “Isabel.” She said she had never seen her life as that exciting, but when she saw it compressed into a series, she laughed that her life could be so amazing.
Sometimes all one has is fifteen minutes, but that can be plenty of time when engaged in the moment. Saroyan’s thoughtful awareness of his surroundings created a special moment of connection between Isabel and himself, a reminder to look around and notice the camellias.
Credits:
Photographer: Saroyan Humphrey
Deputy Photo Editor: Josy Forsdike