BROOKE'S BACK
I am so proud of the work Brooke and I have put in over the years. After countless sessions, and endless hours of planning, editing organizing, I think the progression is obvious. Hell, we have even learned to embrace the flight delays. That’s real growth lol.
Don’t get me wrong, even our first shoot was excellent, but we are operating a new level each session now and I think it shows in the photos. We generally know what works and what doesn’t. We plan ahead and show up ready. I tell the same stupid dad jokes. And we really care about the outcome.
A lot of this is for fun, but some of it isn’t! She’s literally a signed model (a testament to our work!) and we act like it.
Here are some of my favorite shots from this Brooke’s first summer trip to the beach.
Funny part about this one is how she managed to not sweat even though it was 115 with the heat index. I’ve heard of keeping it cool before but what the f*** is that? I was sweating through my shirt just clicking the shutter button. She’s a pro.
You would not believe what I thought a bikini coverup was but it’s not this lmao
In this set she’s modeling a Gyal Bashy coverup // I got an IG notification that said they used one of these photos in their online store but I couldn’t find it, either because I’m old or because IG sucks (probably both, but shoutout to them anyways!)
CRAZY how close this is to what I had in my head weeks before the picture was taken. THE MOTION >>>
“ELLA, ELLA, AY AY AYAYYY”
Umbrella alley! Located in the coolest neighborhood in Myrtle Beach, the Market Common, this ped mall area is strung up with 50-60 umbrellas, and is as Instagram-ready a spot as there is around here. I’ve been wanting to shoot a portrait session there ever since it was installed, and unfortunately because I’m required to know about umbrella fabric for my job, I knew that we were on the clock before those things are completely faded out by the South Carolina sun, so I’m glad we knocked it out when we did.
The first photo is basically what I had envisioned when I first saw the alley, which is thrilling to me. Being able to create a photograph out of non-existent image stuck in your head is my greatest joy as a photographer, and it will continue to drive me to shoot for the rest of my life. No bullshit I have ideas in there that go back YEARS AND YEARS and I won’t feel right until I get them out. Good thing I got this one outta there pretty quick.
We found those shades at the legendary Gay Dolphin gift shop earlier that day, which is wild because it looks like they were hand selected for this outfit. GREAT find, because it’s hard to find anything when you have EVERYTHING (I would hate to be in charge of inventory down there.)
Didn’t get many portraits in the Beyond Van Gogh exhibition but I like how this got framed and the show still cool to see - not QUITE as cool as the Charleston version but still well worth it
Beach day! Here Brooke is modeling a custom-made suit by designer Shanna Britta, which she recently modeled at an event in St. Louis. Big waves and the ocean breeze, custom fit and a beach bag. Decidedly the best time of the trip.
These were taken at Springmaid Pier (with the Myrtle Beach State Park beach in the background) which is one of my favorite places to shoot - great views, best pier to watch a sunset, lots of air traffic, sights and sounds - but it’s also probably your quickest way to see a shark in the ocean. They circle the pier near the fishing lines, and believe it or not about 10 minutes in we saw the most Planet Earth III shit imaginable, one shark swallowing a smaller one whole while chasing the same bait. Unfortunately the camera was around my neck but I doubt either of us will ever forget it.
“I’m just tryin to let my hair back, and chill where they got some air at, you hear that”
* Jaws theme music * Brooke scanning the waters for cocaine sharks
“Live every week like it’s Shark Week”
This gray ass day made it look like we were in Cape Cod or somethin but we made the best of it. Outfit and accessories ON POINT but nearly drown out by blah weather vibes (worlds tiniest violins, as seen in the last pic lol; any day at the beach beats one that’s not)
