The photographer lowered his camera for a moment and looked at Daniel.
"I think we've got the basic digitals," he said quietly. "Let's try one more thing."
Daniel nodded.
He turned to Akshata with a reassuring smile.
"Now we're not going to teach you a pose. Instead, I want to see how naturally you respond."
Akshata nodded.
"Okay."
The photographer continued.
"Imagine you've just received some wonderful news."
Akshata's mind immediately wandered to her family. She imagined her father proudly telling everyone, 'My daughter is following her dream.' A genuine smile appeared on her face.
Click... Click... Click.
"Excellent," the photographer said.
"Now imagine your little brother has just cracked one of his silly jokes."
Akshata couldn't help but think of Manu asking whether IMG would give away free chocolates.
She laughed.
It wasn't a model's rehearsed laugh.
It was real.
The photographer quickly captured the moment.
Click... Click.
Daniel smiled to himself.
"Natural expressions," he murmured. "You can't fake those."
The photographer then asked her to walk across the studio.
"Just walk from that mark to this one."
Akshata obeyed.
She wasn't trying to look like a runway model. She simply walked the way she normally would.
Daniel observed carefully.
"Good posture," he noted. "The walk can always be trained."
The photographer agreed.
"Exactly."
After another few photographs from different angles, the session came to an end.
"That's enough for today," the photographer said warmly.
Akshata let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"So... I survived."
Everyone laughed.
"You did more than survive," Daniel replied.
"You listened well, stayed calm, and improved with every photograph. That's something we value."
Just then, Nagaraju and Manu entered the studio after being invited in.
Manu rushed over first.
"Akka! How was it? Were there hundreds of photos?"
Akshata laughed.
"I think so. I lost count."
Manu looked at the camera with amazement.
"Can we see them?"
The photographer smiled.
"Of course."
He connected the camera to a monitor.
One by one, the photographs appeared on the large screen.
Akshata instinctively looked away.
"I don't think I want to see them..."
Nagaraju chuckled.
"Why? They're your photos."
"I've never liked looking at my own pictures, Appa."
Daniel smiled knowingly.
"Believe me, almost every new model says the same thing."
The first image appeared.
Akshata slowly turned toward the screen.
She froze.
For a moment, she couldn't believe the girl in the photograph was her.
She hadn't been striking a dramatic pose.
She wasn't wearing glamorous clothes or heavy makeup.
Yet the image looked elegant and genuine.
Nagaraju looked from the screen to his daughter and smiled with quiet pride.
"See, Akshu?" he said softly.
"I told you yesterday. You don't have to become someone else."
"You just have to be yourself."
Akshata's eyes grew moist.
For the first time in her life, she looked at a photograph of herself without immediately finding faults.
Instead, she simply smiled.
As the last photograph appeared on the screen, the room fell quiet.
Daniel and the photographer exchanged a brief glance.
Neither of them said anything immediately.
Instead, Daniel turned toward the photographer.
"So... what do you think?"
The photographer folded his arms as he continued looking at the images.
"She's definitely inexperienced."
Akshata lowered her head slightly.
Before she could become discouraged, he smiled.
"And that's not a criticism."
She looked up.
"It actually means she hasn't picked up bad habits."
He pointed toward one of the photographs.
"Look here."
"See how relaxed her shoulders became after the first few minutes?"
Daniel nodded.
"And her expressions changed completely."
The photographer continued,
"Her face photographs beautifully from multiple angles. She has balanced features, expressive eyes, and she listens carefully."
He changed to another image.
"The posing can be taught."
"The runway walk can be taught."
"Even editorial expression can be developed."
He paused before adding,
"But authenticity..."
"...that's difficult to teach."
Daniel smiled.
"I was thinking the same thing."
Turning toward Akshata, he said,
"Congratulations."
She blinked.
"For what?"
"For successfully completing your first evaluation."
She smiled nervously.
"Does... does that mean I passed?"
Daniel chuckled.
"We don't really use the word 'pass.'"
"It's more like moving to the next stage."
Nagaraju listened carefully.
"What would the next stage involve?"
Daniel appreciated the question.
"Our review team will examine today's photographs and my scouting notes. If they agree with the assessment, we'll invite Akshata back for a more detailed evaluation."
"What happens in that evaluation?" Nagaraju asked.
Daniel explained patiently.
"We'll take additional photographs, confirm her measurements, talk to her about her interests, her education, and whether she's comfortable traveling for work if opportunities arise in the future."
He continued,
"If everything aligns, then we'll discuss representation with your family. Nothing is rushed. We want both the model and the family to feel comfortable."
Nagaraju nodded with satisfaction.
"I appreciate that."
Daniel smiled.
"A successful career is built over years, not in a single day."
Manu, who had been listening quietly, suddenly raised his hand.
Daniel laughed.
"Yes?"
"If Akka becomes a model..."
"...will she still have time to play with me?"
Everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Akshata reached over and gently ruffled Manu's hair.
"Of course, silly."
Daniel smiled warmly.
"That's probably the most important question anyone has asked today."
The atmosphere became light again.
As the family prepared to leave, Daniel handed Nagaraju a folder.
"These are some introductory materials explaining how our process works. Take your time reading them."
He then turned to Akshata.
"And one piece of advice."
She looked at him attentively.
"Don't spend the next few days wondering whether every photograph was good or bad."
"You've done your part."
"Now it's our turn."
Akshata nodded.
"I understand."
As they walked out of the studio, Nagaraju placed a reassuring hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"So..."
She looked at him.
"How are you feeling?"
She thought for a moment before answering.
"When I came here this morning, I was afraid of the camera."
She smiled.
"Now... I'm looking forward to standing in front of it again."
Nagaraju's face lit up with pride.
"That's my daughter."
As they stepped out of the building into the bustling streets of New York, none of them knew what decision the review team would make.
But one thing was certain.
Today had transformed Akshata from a girl who feared photographs into someone who had discovered the confidence to face the camera—and, perhaps, the future waiting beyond it.