This past week, I had the privilege of working with something like 15 or so creative models across El Paso TX, White Sands NM, and Marfa TX – in that order. While these locations have always been some of my favorite spots to shoot, this trip was all about the people who brought these settings to life.
The journey began with the homie Clay Parker and I driving out early from Houston on a Friday, as Marty Robbins once said, out "to the West Texas town of El Paso..."
In El Paso, it was the energy of the models that stood out to me. The city’s rustic, urban backdrop might have played a part as it often does, but honestly, it was their creativity and confidence that truly shaped the shoot. My friends Briana Noir and Lindsey Taylor Tierney journeyed from Houston for these projects, which was extra rad, and we all did fun and creative things at Railyard Studio.
There was this real sense of collaboration—ideas bouncing off each other, improvisation in the moment—that pushed everything beyond what I’d imagined.
White Sands NM has always been a fave playground as a photographer, but what made this time special were the personalities and vibes each model brought. I’ve shot against these dunes before, but this time it felt more striking because of how each model interacted with the space. Some embraced the stark minimalism of the landscape, while others played with movement, creating contrast and flow. It was fascinating, if not brutal. I pushed myself to heat exhaustion, again, and still have a killer sunburn on my face a week later. Oops.
And then there’s Marfa Texas, which always seems to attract creative souls and dorks like me, including and especially the Prada Marfa art installation in the middle of freaking nowhere. The model of choice for this project was Lindsey, who always works with such a quiet and wonderful strength. We all shared stories, ideas, and a few laughs between shots, which added a sense of warmth to the sparse, vast landscape.
This trip wasn’t just about capturing great images in amazing locations; it was about the people who made those images possible. Working with such a talented, diverse group of models over these few days was a reminder of why I love this craft so much. Each person brought their own perspective, and in doing so, helped me see these familiar locations in a new light.
Check back to my Journal for final images from these projects – coming up!