In-N-Out with Cassandra (Patreon)

This was one of those ideas that sat in the back of my head for years.

I grew up seeing In-N-Out all over trips out west, and there was always something iconic about the branding. The colors are simple. The design is simple. Yet somehow everyone instantly recognizes it. When I finally decided to create this shoot, I wanted to bring that feeling back with me and recreate it here on the East Coast.

The goal was to keep everything as clean as possible. No elaborate set design. No complicated backgrounds. No distractions. Just strong color, strong shape, and a subject that could carry the image. By stripping everything away, the reds, whites, and yellows become the focus, creating something that feels graphic and timeless rather than trendy.

One thing that made this shoot different from many others is that I cast Cassandra specifically for the concept. A lot of people assume photography is simply about finding an attractive person and pressing the shutter. In reality, creating a memorable image is often about finding the right person for the idea. Different concepts require different energy, different expressions, and different presence in front of the camera.

From the beginning, I felt Cassandra had exactly the look and attitude this concept needed. The confidence, expression, and ability to fully commit to the idea brought the image to life in a way that couldn't have been manufactured. The final result confirmed what I had envisioned from the start: she was the right choice for the shoot.

Photography is always a combination of pieces coming together at the right time—concept, styling, subject, lighting, and execution. When those pieces align, the result becomes something that feels effortless, even though a lot of thought went into it.

My hope with this image was to create something that could be viewed thirty years from now and still feel just as cool as it does today. Not because it followed a trend, but because it embraced simplicity and trusted the concept to stand on its own.