I carried the first garment bag to the makeshift changing area Ava had set up behind a privacy screen. My hands were shaking as I unzipped the bag and pulled out the dress, the navy crepe falling in perfect folds.
I changed carefully, not wanting to mess up my hair or makeup, and stepped out from behind the screen. Ava looked up from her camera and smiled.
"Perfect," she said. "Absolutely perfect, come stand over here by the railing."
I walked to where she indicated, the concrete cold beneath my feet, the morning sun warm on my face.
"Okay," Ava said, looking through her camera. "Just relax. Think about what these clothes mean to you."
I tried to relax, but I felt stiff and awkward, hyper aware of the camera pointed at me.
"You're too tense," Ava said gently. "Take a breath. Remember
