KAYLA RENO: WE JUST SHOW UP

Shooting with Kayla Reno for the feature "We Just Show Up" was one of the more adrenaline-fueled assignments I’ve had as a commercial photographer in Portsmouth, NH. When you’re documenting a first responder, you aren't just taking a portrait; you’re stepping into their world. For this shoot, that world was a working fire station. The gear was ready, the trucks were fueled, and Kayla was officially on the clock.

The fun—and the challenge—was knowing that she could have been called away at any moment. As an editorial photographer, you usually spent time meticulously "building" a shot, but here, we had to move with the same efficiency as the crew. We utilized the industrial textures of the station—the heavy doors, the polished trucks, and the specialized equipment—to ground the story in reality. Every time a door opened or a radio crackled, there was a split second of "is this it?" Fortunately for us, the station stayed quiet long enough for us to capture the full narrative.

Kayla is a firefighter and paramedic, and her philosophy is simple: when the call comes, you just show up. Capturing that level of dedication for the November "Thankful" issue of Portsmouth City Lifestyle was a privilege. I wanted the lighting to reflect that grit—strong, directional, and unembellished. These aren't just lifestyle photography in Portsmouth shots; they are a tribute to the people who hold the community together while the rest of us are sleeping.

This project remains a highlight of my architectural photography portfolio mindset because it’s about how a space dictates a person's life. The station isn't just a building; it’s a high-stakes environment that demands readiness 24/7. By the time we wrapped, we had a library of images that felt as honest and resilient as Kayla herself. It’s a reminder that the best stories are found where the work actually happens.