This session took some time to come to fruition. I met Laura last year and she had mentioned an interest in coming out of her shell, so to speak, and getting some pictures taken. We had planned out a time frame and the ideas were plentiful. However, as it sometimes happens, life got in the way. One thing to know about Laura is that family is extremely important to her and will always come first, even over her own personal health.
We met up again a couple of weeks ago and she was ready to give it another go. Broken limbs and sick children were all healed and taken care of…until the day of the shoot (a whole other story). We agreed to meet up at the stables to get started.
Laura, as most are, was very nervous to be in front of the camera. One of the hardest parts of this session is to not feel like you are being vane. This is to give you a chance to be spoiled and have the attention on you so that you realize just how special you are because if anything can show your true self it’s the camera. To combat this I started with her in a comfortable outfit that she could relax in and just laugh and have fun. We had to fight the gale force winds but it was worth it and we used the winds to our advantage. I’m not sure that Jenn would agree since she had to hold my huge 47” reflector without getting blown away.
The area where they keep the hay bales was pretty low but as we walked I found this great stack of hay by the horses’ stalls that was perfect!
This is why I always try to begin in the outfit that makes you feel like you.
Mother Nature helped out with the hair on this one.
I recently received this great blanket from one of the many vendors I follow and am so glad that I brought it along. It fit her perfectly and combine it with the red wall and the sun…great light and colors.
Gorgeousness!
As we were arrived back at my car to get the changing tent set up I looked back from and saw a great background. So I had her sit in the middle of the parking area for a shot. Again, thanks for the trust.
The wind can be your friend. It was definitely hers that day.
This is what it’s all about!
Next up was an outfit to honor her mum and her southern roots. She got into her Derby hat and outfit and we were off to find a cooperative horse. Well, they had just been fed and were way more interested in their food than in what we were doing.
Love Love Love
The best is always saved to for the very end. One of the images that she sent me was a bride in her wedding dress with a flannel shirt on. Yeah, that wasn’t going to work and it is soooo not Laura. She made it work with a gorgeous ball gown and a plain denim jacket. I was also very lucky to have yet another model put her trust in me. She was up for anything I threw at her. It’s a good thing since as soon as I saw her dressed I led her to the middle of the arena. I placed her directly in front of the sun, sat on my little step stool, and then told her to do her thing.
I normally don’t double up on my FB page and the blogalicious but I absolutely LOVE this image.
She is in the zone.
Wow!
Walk, skip, just have fun. That is the direction she received from me on this one.
As we were walking out of the arena a couple of other areas caught my eye and off we went to shoot away. I’m sure the mules that were corralled there were not too thrilled with us but they behaved and stayed out of the way.
What a beautiful smile.
We were finally done, covered in dirt and hay from the crazy winds, and headed back to our vehicles when Laura mentioned the big red barn.
This gives you an idea of the help I received from Jenn.
Who am I to say no to another great location?! Luckily, the barn sort of blocked the wind. Well, it blocked the big gusts of wind. We finished the session at the barn with some great shots and called it a day.
Another successful day out and about on Fort Irwin. Thanks to the 11 ACR Horse Detachment for use of their area. I always have so much fun finding new locations at the stables. A huge thanks to Jenn McFarland for helping me out. She put up with quite a bit from Mother Nature and did it all with determination and a smile. See you all soon with a new blogalicious!
Katie Howton - Love all of these photos! Can’t wait to book my own shoot with you at the stables in the future!
Cherie - Gorgeous!
Lois Walsh - Laura is a friend of mine. She’s a beautiful lady, inside and out. You’ve captured her so perfectly, it’s hard to choose a favorite. Great job, glad she had fun.