Zinn in the Valley of Fire, 2008Utah Gold - October 20-23
The American West is the setting for many of the history’s most famous photographs. Wide open spaces and enormous skies, combined with weird rocks and a beautiful color palette, make for a wonderful setting for fine art nude photography. On this trip, we will visit the spectacular landscape of Southern Utah during the dry, relatively cool fall season.
Who:
Zinn Star (MM#407611) is familiar to many North American fine art photographers. Her work brings timeless grace and beautiful form to your images. Zinn’s cheerful attitude causes me to always look forward to our sessions and I can’t imagine a better model for our traveling expedition.
Zinn and I had the opportunity to work earlier this year in Nevada’s Valley of Fire, and the results were very satisfying. She knows how to interact with the environment and the images we captured were well received.
What:
I’ve made two trips to the west this year, and (as I write) I am on the eve of departing for my third. Utah’s compelling landscape and relative lack of hikers and other distractions make the area nearly perfect for fine art nude photography. The light has a magical quality and the desert colors are positively surreal.
We will start at the airport in Las Vegas, where Zinn and I will meet you. Vegas is an easy and cheap place to fly to, and is only 2-3 hours from our working locations. Once all are present we will head out for Utah!
We will work on the evening of the 20th, morning and evening of the 21st and 22nd, and on the morning of the 23rd. The work schedule is relaxed, and most of the mid-day will be available for “down time”. Distances in Utah are large, however, and some of our time will be spent traveling to our locations.
The trip is strictly limited to 4 photographers, so there will be plenty of opportunities to work with Zinn. I will serve as an assistant, mentor and lookout for you, so that you can focus on your creations.
Where:
Utah’s “Color Country” is home to many interesting vistas. Slot canyons, lava flows, gigantic rock formations and more await us in a model/photographer-friendly environment.
I’ve scouted the area and will present the group with several options for our locations. Weather and other conditions will also play a role in our decisions.
This is the first time I have led a traveling expedition. I’ve been scouting the Nevada/Utah area this year and I think it offers unlimited potential for your creative energies. We will fly in to Las Vegas, and will spend most of our time around the area of St. George, Utah.
When:
I will pick you up in Las Vegas around noon on October 20, and will return you on the afternoon of October 23.
Why:
A new lens might expand your capabilities a bit. The latest body will be obsolete in two years. But monetarily, the wisest investment you can make in your photos is to literally expand your horizons.
The western landscape is so engaging for photography, but working in a strange location can cost you a lot of time. I have scouted the locations and arranged a world-class professional model for the trip, so that you can be free to concentrate on lighting and composition.
Working here in the east, I constantly am battling cluttered backgrounds and curious hikers. Out west, these are not concerns. This trip is an opportunity to put a whole new twist on your portfolio of environmental nude images.
How Much:
The cost of the trip is $1400. This does not include airfare to Las Vegas or your meals, but it does include hotel accommodations, transportation throughout the region and a full release from our model. Zinn has agreed to model for 15 hours during this expedition, so this total cost is lower than her usual modeling fees alone.
You will have your own hotel room. Restaurants will be agreed upon by the group, and one of the enjoyable jobs I have next week is scouting out those critical eateries.
You can reserve your space with a $400 deposit. The remaining $1000 will be due by October 3.
Please feel free to email with any questions. I look forward to seeing you there!