Wonderous Woods

A week or so ago Brian Burke and I met on the northwest side of town to take some woodsy photos. When shooting with Brian I try not to make too many plans in advance, as we like to always try new things and new shoot techniques. I tagged to a shoot with Brian a few days later in studio, to find Brian shooting on the couch to the side of the model, on his Iphone, whilst the camera sit untouched directly in front of the model. One of the many things I love about shooting with Brian is that you know it will always be different and an adventure.

For our last shoot, I wasn't sure what to expect. A rainy morning caused us to start off shooting in different direction than what we had planned. As the rain hit the ground, Brian and I made our way to my old place of dwelling, which was still vacant for shooting at the time. That shoot was one of my very last times stepping foot into that space. I loved doing transitory shoots in my own private indoor space, even for a short amount of time. I loved having the backup option for the rainy days. Switching locations is so much less complex to me than switching dates.

We took some fun photos, some serious photos, and some emotional photos. One of my favorite parts of shooting with people that mean so much to me is that they make me feel comfortable. So comfortable that self expression spills out in my sessions. Our interactions are deep and insightful. Our collaborations are creative, positive, and meaningful. We are growing and learning from each other in a relaxed, carefree environment. There will never be a better place to learn.

After a bit of time spent exploring the different rooms and areas of the house as a whole, the rain stopped and we ventured back outside to where we had originally intended to be. The wet ground and leaves were a deeper and lusher green than usual because of their wet appearance. I felt like a tiny person in a huge world as I explored the outdoor location Brian had picked out in his mind of us. Every time I get outside and get exploring, I remind myself how important the outside air is to my existence.

Below I've posted a few of my favorites.

The whole set can be found in my Calgary gallery.

Photos by Brian Burke