Greetings,

Last February, I did my first shoot on the Dunes and loved every second of it. Okay, maybe not having to wear a helmet that was 52 sizes too small for my head while we sped across the dunes looking for the perfect spot. I bought my own helmet this time…one that is so cool you will certainly see it in some upcoming shoots.

As an artistic photographer, everything is a prop.

This time it will be a two-day adventure with Elley and her fiance Dan. Two full days of photography on the dunes!! I’m not sure my heart will be up for that much fun and creativity. And probably cold and hastily prepared food. I have a new tent, sleeping bag, and porta-potty, so I think I’ll be just fine.

This trip will have some scenes from Dune and Road Warrior for sure. Last year we did several as well as some amazing Star Wars looks. I already have some ideas to try to pull off. I have one idea for the Road Warrior that I think will be funny and a bit of old Americana. Elley always has a wonderful wardrobe. We shall see.

And there will be some light painting this trip. So, when it gets dark, the shooting will continue for a bit longer, assuming we have the energy.

Speaking of light painting, this week’s video is not like a BTS but an explanation of the newer LED lighting I’ve been using. It is slanted toward other photographers and how I use them, BUT, I have scattered many of the finished images I’ve created using the lights so you can see the results. With a little BTS at the end.

I had my first shoot in a while with Violet last Friday. We always come up with some fascinating looks. She came with grey hair this time. It is funny how ladies under 30 often love the grey hair look, but not so much after 30. I’m sure you’ll agree it looked good.

I edited more images from a two-day shoot Aurora and Kristopher did with me back in 2017. I shot her on El Matador State Beach in Malibu. For the first (and only time) I actually had a permit, so when they came to chase me off, I handed them a permit. I wish I’d gotten a picture of the look of shock on the guy’s face. Like he’d never seen a permit before. So, we spent a good FIVE HOURS shooting on a beautiful beach with no hassles. Actually, five lifeguards were watching that beach, and they kept coming by to see how we were doing. Thinking back, I should have popped some of them into a few pictures. Sometimes my best work is in my head of things I should have shot. I think Aurora did leave with five phone numbers. Horn dogs.

And I flew Kristopher to California for our day at Wonderland Studios so he could get wild with makeup, hair, and all of the costumes they had for rent. Not a cheap shoot, but worth it. Thank you both!

And then there was the pirate. He was wandering around the whole time, just having a ball BEING a pirate. He looked so good I couldn’t help but ask him if I could take his picture just before we packed up. I included that image in the gallery. This image got me kicked off of Facebook for a week once. I guess I was encouraging violence?

Stay curious, my friends!

Dave

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