Dune lake, with a fellow photographer and two models

The alarm clock rang at 4 am. Got to the first model Melody on time. Then to the second model Iza Mare in The Hague, and then drive past Amsterdam before traffic jams started. Arrived at 7:45 in Schoorl, at the dune landscape that Ben had selected. Ben Ernst is the experienced model photographer with whom I planned to work together this day. The idea was that Ben would see my way of making photos, and I his and we learn from the experience. And that both of us would make beautiful images of the two models. A 20 minute walk and we arrived at a dune lake. No trees, just some low bushes, and a dead tree. That dead tree immediately became our focus point. Melody climbed to the top of the tree, two meters high. Courageous. Just like in our previous shoot on February 2017. Then Iza Mare posed solo in the sand, duo on the peninsula, duo in a tree. The difference between ground photography and drone photography became clear: standing poses for Ben, horizontal poses for the drone. The dune landscape with the lake was really beautiful, the paths lining the waterfront looked like an abstract painting. Also, Iza Mare asked for clothed model photo’s next to nude photos. That was a first to me, and it worked out wonderful. I guess I like working with courageous models that enjoy nude modelling, but that does not limit me to photographing nude poses, clothing can have added value. However, in all the hectic and enthusiasm I forgot the goal of the shoot, so I had little observation time on how Ben worked.

Lessons learned: search for interesting landscape parts that are 50-100 meter wide, like the peninsula. An early rise feels fine if you have a great plan. Clothing can add value.

To do: don't forget to listen and observe when an experienced model photographer is at work.

Ideas for future shoots: another cooperation with Ben and some models: June 17th