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Some stories are told through places. Others through movement. Portraits ask something different.

At their best, portraits do more than document a person’s appearance, they reveal something about their presence. A glance, a posture, a moment of confidence, curiosity, or focus. The details are often subtle, but they’re what make an image feel honest.

Over the years, we've had the opportunity to photograph athletes, executives, creatives, and collaborators across a wide range of industries. While the settings may change, the goal remains the same: create an environment where people can be themselves, even with a camera pointed in their direction.

What we enjoy most about portraiture is the collaboration. Every portrait is a conversation, whether spoken or unspoken. The strongest images aren't built on direction alone, they come from trust, observation, and a willingness to slow down long enough for personality to emerge.

In this issue, we're highlighting some of the people we've had the privilege to photograph and the stories that unfold when the focus shifts from the work itself to the individuals behind it.

Chris & Mike

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The people in front of the camera are often what we remember most.

For summer 2026, we're revisiting a selection of portraits from the Wave archive, athletes, executives, creatives, and collaborators whose stories have become part of ours.

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Every person brings something different to the set.

Some arrive with years of experience in front of the camera. Others would rather be anywhere else. Athletes tend to understand timing. Executives often value efficiency. Creatives usually come with their own point of view.

The interesting part isn't the difference, it's discovering what makes each person comfortable enough to let their guard down.

That's where every portrait begins.

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“One of the biggest challenges of this NBA project was how quickly it came together. Like many productions, we arrived with only a rough visual direction. The player treatments still needed to be written, and the ideas hadn't fully taken shape.

After meeting with the creative director and Annebet, one of Wave's favorite collaborators, I went back to my hotel room ready to write. Instead, I hit a wall. Completely blank. It was the first time I'd felt that kind of creative paralysis under pressure.

After a few minutes of panicking, I remembered an old mountaineering rule: when you're lost, stop moving.

I set a timer for ten minutes, turned on the TV for some background noise, and landed on VH1 Classic just as R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts began to play. Before I knew it, I was watching a run of music videos I grew up with, Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Talking Heads, Radiohead. It reminded me how fearless that era of filmmaking was.

By the time I turned the television off, I wasn't stuck anymore. I had the treatments, the beginnings of a shot list, and a clear way forward.

Sometimes the best creative solution isn't pushing harder. It's giving yourself just enough space for the ideas to find you.”

Michael Kirby Smith

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Texas | 2023 | 5:42 PM | 82°F