Out in the Desert with Bri (Patreon)

This set with Bri is one of those shoots that looks simple on the surface, but there’s actually a lot going on behind it.

Sometimes I location scout hard, sometimes I don’t. This was one of those more subtle scouts where it’s not about finding some crazy landmark—it’s about finding a frame that works. The foreground cactus, the single cactus behind her, the way the mountains fall off in the distance… none of that was random. I didn’t just pull over and start shooting. I was looking for something that would layer properly and give the image depth without overcomplicating it.

That foreground is doing a lot of work. It pulls you into the image and makes it feel like you’re standing there, not just looking at a subject in the middle of nowhere. Then you’ve got that one cactus behind her acting almost like a visual anchor—it keeps the frame from feeling empty and helps balance everything out.

Lighting-wise, this was right in that window where things are changing fast. Some shots are softer, some get a little harsher, and you kind of have to ride that line instead of fighting it. I didn’t try to control it too much—just positioned her where the light was hitting best and kept it moving.

Bri made this one easy. The look works perfectly against the desert tones, and once we got into it, it naturally shifted from more composed shots to something a little more raw and real.