Carrying a camera with a long lens often means there’s a good chance a stranger interested in photography will strike up a conversation with you.

As an introvert, I do enjoy my quiet time on these trips—but over the years, I've come to appreciate these interactions. Meeting people from different corners of the world and sharing a common interest often leaves me more energized than I'd expect, especially on those early mornings.

On my second day in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, a Dutch photographer struck up a conversation about gear (as these things usually start). I mentioned that some of my favorite images of the Japanese macaques were of groups of the animals. He told me he wasn’t interested in photographing multiple animals—only solitary ones, which he found to be more impactful.

It was a statement that made me reflect on my own work.

I've sought out single subjects many times, and some have become my favorite images. But one of the biggest drivers behind my work is the hope of creating a connection between the viewer and the subject.

A lone figure can express a spirit, power, and resolve.
But some feelings don't land the same with just one subject—
feelings that strike a different chord.

Safety.
Comfort.
Trust.

Love.

These take two.
And sometimes, a tiny third.