Two things happened. First, I dreamt of shooting at this old dilapidated cabin behind my grandparent’s house on the river in Oregon, my second home. We were afraid to go out to it as kids, it’s still a fond memory from our many summers floating down the river, camping and wandering through the woods.
I had the image of the cabin in my head, but not sure what I wanted to do with it until I heard Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey. Now, because of the circumstances, I still didn’t get to do the styled shoot I had in mind for it, but one day I will. I like to imagine this song from the perspective of someone who has lost themselves, struggling with the demons of bad decisions or loving the wrong person, hanging on to the hope that the girl she used to be will still be there when she makes it through.
My favorite parts of this shoot were my gorgeous cousin Stephanie, who is as beautiful inside as she is out, the amazing way the natural light was falling, and the little model of the house that sits on its porch to this day. Where did it come from? I have no idea. Just don’t tell our Papa we stepped onto the porch, he was very worried about us getting hurt.
“because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-79
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