Deja - Forest Shoot : A Vintage El Camino Shoot in LA

At the core, Deja and I have always shared a deep spiritual connection. While she has a tough exterior, she’s one of the softest individuals I’ve ever met. Every time we collaborate on a shoot, she allows herself to open up and embrace her vulnerability. Our sessions often feel more than just creative—they’re therapeutic, especially when we shoot outdoors in nature.

On this particular day, we decided to venture into the breathtaking canyons of the Los Angeles Forest. Living in Los Angeles has its perks—being close to the Malibu canyons, the beach, and scenic spots like this is something I never take for granted. Driving through the winding roads leading to our shoot location felt like an adventure in itself.

For this shoot, we brought along a vintage El Camino. It was a bold choice, and while managing an old-school car came with its risks, it added an authentic and nostalgic charm to the experience. Once we reached the forest, the real magic began. The emotions flowed freely, creating an intimate yet empowering atmosphere.

Deja and I connected on a level that transcended words. Despite the different challenges in our personal lives—heartbreak, depression, or simply navigating life’s complexities—we found common ground in our shared energy. These moments of vulnerability, expression, and release shaped the photographs we captured. They tell a story of resilience, strength, and beauty in the face of life’s ups and downs.

This shoot was not only deeply personal but also a bold celebration of confidence and creativity. Together, we embraced the art of being raw, sexy, and unfiltered while allowing our emotions to shape the imagery. The result? A poetic visual narrative that truly speaks to the power of vulnerability and self-expression.

Camera: EOS R

From the start, I knew I wanted to use natural light for this shoot. There’s something about capturing the ambiance of the forest that feels authentic, and every time I choose this approach, I never regret it. However, shooting with natural light does come with its challenges—especially in a forest, where the harsh sun can create dramatic contrasts.

When working in these conditions, I usually take one of two approaches. For wide shots, I focus on incorporating both the subject and the environment, letting the scene tell a cohesive story. For close-ups, I pay special attention to how contrasty the light can get. In these situations, I often position my subject facing away from the sun and shoot from behind their shadow. This technique helps soften the light on their face while keeping the background dynamic.

That said, shooting this way does come with trade-offs. Highlights can sometimes blow out, which is where adding a flash might help. But for this shoot, my goal was to maintain a natural, raw vibe rather than focusing heavily on technical perfection. I’ve found that overemphasizing gear and settings can sometimes break the connection I’m trying to build with my model—and that connection is what drives the authenticity of the final images.

At the end of the day, balancing light and mood is an art in itself. For this shoot, embracing the imperfections of natural light helped me create images that felt real, intimate, and true to the story we wanted to tell.