Emily: Chance Meeting in the Valley of Fire
A good friend of mine, Cathy Baitson, came over from Dublin to attend Photoshop World in Las Vegas and I figured I would meet up with her. When I mentioned my proposed trip to my friend Tammy, she said she would join me. Outstanding! Spending time with two great photographers!
Tammy and I got into town before Cathy and after landing on Sunday morning, we headed over to check out a spot I had my eye on, Valley of Fire State Park in Overton, Nevada. Wow! We were not in East Tennessee anymore!
The Valley of Fire State Park is impressive and for anyone going to Las Vegas, I would recommend getting out there (about a 45 minute drive north of the city). The natives are friendly:
While Tammy and I were stopped at a site called Mouse’s Tank, we saw a young lady riding her skateboard as another woman attempted to photograph her on the road. We walked over and before long had made the acquaintance of photographer Tori Wible and her daughter, Emily. Conversation in the 111 F temperature ensued and I asked if Emily would be open to do some modeling.
We worked quickly (did I mention the temperature?) and fortunately I had a powerful strobe with me, so I could place the full sun at Emily’s back and properly expose the front of her.
And this is what we got:
I love chance encounters like this and I am grateful that Emily was agreeable to stand outside in some blazing heat for these images.
I think a fall or winter trip back here is in order. This time, I would get a permit from the Nevada state park and find a professional model to bring along. Don;t get me wrong, I like landscapes - I just prefer to have them with someone in them.
Does this count as a street portrait? Maybe - the street just happens to be a desert road!