Sometimes we have weeks to conceive a portrait. Other times we have less than 24 hours. On a Tuesday in June we got confirmation that outspoken Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett was available for an interview and photo shoot (“Mr. Big Mouth”) but it had to happen the following day—after mini camp and before his family jetted to Hawaii. Luckily the photographer we wanted to work with, the talented John Keatley, jumped at the chance.The following day deputy editor Matthew Halverson and I headed to Bennett’s home in Kirkland...and promptly got lost. (Perhaps it’s by design that searching for his address in Google Maps yields three options in a four-block radius.) Needless to say we were late. But Bennett and his wife, Pele, were understanding and graciously let us pick through his selection of tailored suits and Hawaiian shirts before we landed on the ensemble for his portrait. Did I mention his kids? Adorable and sporting eye black, they showed up briefly for the behind-the-scenes video. See, sometimes you plan, and sometimes things just come together. —Jane Sherman, Seattle Met art director

Read our interview with Michael Bennett and see the final photo.