Erin — Cabo, Before Sunrise (Patreon)

This set with Erin was shot in Cabo San Lucas before the sun actually came up. That in-between moment where the sky is already glowing, but the sun is still below the horizon. No direct sunlight yet—just color, atmosphere, and that quiet right before the day starts.

The vibe leans heavily into that classic Sports Illustrated feel—simple, confident, timeless. Strong subject, clean composition, and light doing most of the work. Nothing trendy, nothing over-styled.

Cabo is one of my favorite places to shoot. Even though the coastline stays visually similar, it never really gets old. It’s tropical and right on the ocean, but also very clearly desert. Dry hills, warm air, salt everywhere. It’s a contrast I wasn’t used to at all, and it photographs insanely well.

Shooting before sunrise makes everything slower and quieter. The beach is empty, the water is calm, and the sky has this deep, cinematic color you only get for a short window. Adding flash at that moment lets the subject stand out while still holding onto the mood of the scene.

Being able to shoot something like this in the middle of winter is one of the best parts—while everything back home is gray and frozen, you’re standing barefoot in warm sand, making images before the day even starts.