EXAMPLE #1(Model: Galina)
This is a shot of Galina taken in the country side north of St.Albert, Alberta. We drove north and we just looked for some country roads and finally I saw this spot off the road we were on. It was a farmers approach and it was grown with tall grass and lined with rows of bushes on either side. The light looked great and we stopped to shoot a set of images here. I could have gone out to scout locations in advance and driven right on by this spot. Sometimes it's just about the light, light needs to be perfect and locations you scout do not always provide the best light due to weather, time of day, etc. This spot was just perfect for the images we wanted. I'll prob never go back to it, it was just a special photography adventure and the lack of planning made it exciting and fun. It probably has a lot to do with my personality but I really dislike making detailed plans. :) I am all about the unexpected and not knowing what is around the corner. I love exploring the world with my camera and if I have a model or not, I think the same goes for nature photography. Finding the light, the location and capturing a moment that is unexpected and impossible to plan for.
EXAMPLE #2 (Model: Katelyn)
We drove around in the St.Albert area too, similar to the shoot I did with Galina. We were near sunset (golden hour light) and found a construction area where residential buildings were being constructed. This was mostly an empty field with some large concrete tubes (I have no clue what their technical names were) but they looked cool and Katelyn climbed on them and did some amazing poses. The only things we had planned was where we would meet (A Tim Hortons) and from their we just drove around. We had also briefly talked about the outfit but I didn't know her look until we met for the shoot. It was just fun and I could never have expected we would find a place like this. I know this is nothing new, many photographers/artists work like this but I just encourage people to sometimes step out of their comfort zones if you are a person that likes planning everything. Try going out and being random....find something new and exciting and shoot there. In Edmonton, I know the typical locations you can find photographers: Legislature grounds, many parks, Museum, Muttart, river valley, Fort Edm.....I've shot in these places lots too, but I have to say if I know I'm shooting there I kind of already know what to expect for light, for location.
So basically go exploring with your camera!! :) Make plans if you must but just be willing to go off the rails and find something new and be creative with it. :)
