Hi:

If you are reading this, I’m assuming you are thinking about getting some pictures done and you have a bunch of questions about the process, the photographer, etc. I did too. So many!

A little about me:

I’m not a model. I’m a mom. In my mid-thirties. I didn’t even sign up for the shoot. Trent setup a package at a mountain BnB with the promise of epic photos and my husband signed me up for our anniversary. When he told me, honestly, I wasn’t overly excited. In fact, I didn’t think I could do it. I mean, I’ve never done anything remotely like have a photographer shoot pictures of me in my underwear on a mountain. I like sitting on the couch watching tv with a glass of wine in my pajamas. However, I do like mountains, BnBs, and I like the idea of “epic,” so I pushed through my initial apprehension and decided to see how it would go.

How it went:

I did a summer shoot with Trent…and I had a lot of fun. Trent and my husband (he came along too) kept me laughing all day. Trent had the shoot planned at amazing locations. We shot on a mountain top (literally), in a mountain meadow, in a clearing full of flowers in the forest, and next to a river with a herd of elk in the background. We did quite a bit of hiking to get to a couple of the locations, and the guys were loaded up hauling clothes, shoes and gear. Trent definitely delivered on his promise of epic photos.

Other things to know:

If you have spent any time in the mountains, you know the weather can be just about anything. The morning was cool and I needed warm up breaks. The sun came out before lunch and we had a lovely picnic charcuterie (pre-arranged by Trent) in a meadow. It was wonderful in the sunshine – one of my favourite parts of the whole day. A takeaway was that I need to spend more time laying in the sun in mountain meadows! (Don’t we all?)

It can be a long day – up early and late into the evening (or later if you want indoor pictures). Like every other long day outdoors, dress for the weather and terrain, stay hydrated, and eat regularly to keep your energy up. Also, consider that some clothing, especially with narrow elastic bands, will leave marks on your skin. Think too about things that will help you stay engaged and having fun through the day as your energy varies – breaks, activities, change of scenery, etc.

Working with Trent:

First off, he has a great sense of humour and a really good imagination. If you want some epic pictures with more (or less) clothing, he can think of how and where to do that and then get you and his gear in. If you want something even crazier than what you can reach in hiking distance, he can even arrange a helicopter to get you somewhere no one has ever been for a shoot. Trent is also a good director. I don’t know how to model, but he told me how to move and pose and the pictures turned out amazing. He is willing to push you out of your comfort zone to get a fantastic shot, but if it’s too uncomfortable he will pivot to help you stay in your safe space. On that note, taking off your clothes (or some/most of them) in front of a man you don’t know is not at all my thing – never has been. One of my biggest hesitations about the whole shoot was doing just that. I worried about it on principle, about how sheer my outfit might be, or even how different poses might change things. I worried about things that didn’t even make sense just because I worried about them (ask my husband!). These are all good things to think about – it’s always good to know your boundaries and clearly communicate them. But Trent was professional and considerate. He respected me and worked with my boundaries. I had a great time and got great pictures.

So, do you want epic photos? Pictures that will make you feel amazing? Taken in incredible places? That was my experience with Trent. If you have the time and budget, and a sense of adventure, he can help you turn a photoshoot into a wonderful getaway with your significant other.

—Beth