Like many of my favorite photography-friend relationships, Tessa and I recently met through social media. She’s an amazingly talented photographer who just moved to the area from Seattle (hello sunshine!). We bonded over our love for moody images. Since Tessa and her boyfriend, who also happens to be a talented videographer, live near the Pismo dunes (a place I’ve been wanting to shoot at for a long time)  I asked them to “model” for me. They both said it was weird to be in front of the camera instead of behind it, but I think they were naturals. This isn’t an engagement shoot, although I thought about posting it yesterday for April Fools Day, but don’t think anyone would have appreciated that ;).

I used a Mamiya 645 (thank you Ashley Ludaescher for lending it to me!) and used Portra 400 film for all these images. The scans were done by The Find Lab. Thank you, Tessa and Jimmy, for hanging with me for the evening. You guys were stellar.

One thing we learned very quickly is that the dunes are not easy to walk on. Also, even though they look like they’re basking in the sunshine, the breeze combined with the evening chill made it a bit crispy. But they were up for walking pretty far to get some pristine dunes and perfect beach grasses. Thanks to Tommy from Avenue Twelve for coming along for the adventure. I love that you’re always up for a photo shoot.
  For photographers: Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400, Film Scans by The Find Lab (basic scans), Slightly with Lightroom and Alien Skin Exposure. Post dinner shoot at The Spoon Trade ;). 

The Mamiya is a beast of a camera and the shutter is not quiet. But I am loving the results and can’t wait to shoot more film.