Bri in Zion, a Memory

We go every year that we can, this time we had a friend along

Bri coming back to van from posing in the distance.

The members of my online class (Project 52 Pro) are always invited for our yearly road trip to Zion, Bryce, Escalante, and the Grand Canyon. It is a free week-long adventure (that is, everyone pays their own way) and we take a 15 person van with only 10 people. Lots of gear in the back — we’re photographers, you know.

This year we were joined by a friend of mine, Briana. Bri is a model and nutrition/health expert in San Diego. Having a model along made it really fun for the photographers. From shooting her as a person to making shots with her as a ‘scale’ person in the distance, she was active nearly every moment of the day.

In the photo at the top, some of the photographers had her down the side of the road a bit to add some scale and humanity to the breadth of the Zion landscape. As she was coming back up to the van, I noticed the flare coming from behind her and felt that it would be amazing to capture. I used a Nikon Df, with a 50MM lens at f2.8.

Bri taking a breather on the bridge over the Virgin River.

I usually grabbed a few shots when she was not working with the members and they were super casual. The kinds of images I love to make. Simple, non-affected, and engaging.

The image above catches her taking a short break and loving the scenery, so I grabbed a few shots of her relaxing. “Ok, that’s great… just one more…”

How many times have I said “just one more…?”

Heh.

In the shot above, I had her turn toward the part of the canyon that was still getting some sun and it gave me some super soft portrait light. Nikon Df, 50MM lens at f2.8.

It is really fun to have someone with you who is willing to hike over to that tree and gaze at the mountains while you shout at her from half a mile away. I like to use cheap walkie-talkies and have the model put their receiver in their pocket away from the camera.

The next day we ended up at the very top of Bryce Canyon overlook. Over 10,000 feet. In February. It was super cold, but Bri actually got into a wedding dress for one of our photographers and braved the ridiculous cold. In the shot below, she is just soaking up some sun and getting warm. As warm as one can get at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Canon 6D, 50MM, f8.

Grabbing some sun at below-freezing temperatures… the perks of modeling for me. Heh.

We decided to do some real movement to warm up, so Bri decided to fly over the snowy pavement and we spent a few minutes making some fun flying photographs. This was her idea and it became one of my favorites of the week.

How to get warm in 15 degree weather? Jump high and often for a photographer.

Briana is a real trooper and works hard to make sure the photographers get the shots they want. And these photographers were super happy with their photos. (I even got a few in I like too.)

The members loved having an engaged talent who came up with photo ideas as well as filled the spot for their ideas.

Thanks again, Bri.

That was really fun.

I am a photographer, designer, and photo editor. You can find me at my self-named website or at Project 52 Pro System where I teach commercial photography online. This is our tenth year teaching, and it is the most unique online class you will find anywhere.

You can find my books at Amazon, and I have taught two classes at CREATIVELIVE.