Stranger Photoshoot Challenge

In early August, I began planning for something I had been wanting to do for a long time: a video series educating people about photography but make it entertaining enough for everyone to want to watch. I also wanted an excuse to work with photographers I admire and learn from them.

I reached out to Shae Prieskorn of Shae's Photography and pitched her the idea for the video. We both had spoken briefly about our interest in doing a "stranger photoshoot" where two people who have never met before take photos as if they were a couple.

I thought it was appropriate to have Shae as my first guest because when I was first starting photography years ago, she was one of the only other photographers in my area that I knew about. She had made her own way in our area and has since made a name for herself within New Mexico.

To my relief, she was totally on board with the idea. I knew that once we did this first video it would help pave the way for me to reach out to other photographers and show them what I hoped to do.

It took me a little while to choose my subjects because I wanted to make sure none of them knew each other and make sure none of them were actual models. Models who often pose for photographers have no problem being thrown together with someone they don't know and taking photos together. Oddly enough, every friend I asked was pretty excited to participate. I was anticipating a lot more begging and convincing, but Gabby, Cesar, Maddison and Kevin were so gracious and trusting to let me carry out this project.

I got my buddies Jake and AJ to film while Shae and I did our thing. I feel like watching Shae pose her "couple" really helped me expand my mind and gave me a lot more ideas for how to pose couples in my sessions.

I was nervous the whole time because I had never planned something like this while also having to photograph in 15 minutes and come out with some good, usable shots, but I'm proud of what I got and I ended up having so much fun with all my friends.

Click here to watch the video!