Dancing in the Rain at Seven Islands – A Boho Western Editorial with Megan & Payton
Some shoots are just extra close to my heart — not because of the lighting or the location (though this one had both), but because of the people in front of my lens. Megan and Payton are two souls I adore. I’ve photographed them more times than I can count, and every single time I walk away with a full heart, sore cheeks from laughing, and a camera roll that feels like magic.
This time, we headed out to Seven Islands State Birding Park, which is honestly one of my favorite places to shoot. There’s something about those wide open fields and endless skies that feels grounding and wild all at once. It was the perfect setting for the vision we had: a boho western editorial look with a modern twist — relaxed, a little rustic, but still bold and stylish.
The whole vibe came together in the most serendipitous way. I had found this old chest at Goodwill a few weeks before the shoot — one of those finds that just speaks to you. I didn’t even know exactly how I’d use it at the time, but I brought it along, and when I saw it next to their outfits, I almost couldn’t believe how perfectly it all matched. It was one of those weirdly perfect moments where everything just falls into place without trying too hard.
Megan and Payton absolutely brought it — as they always do. They both have this incredible energy: wild and warm, hilarious, playful, and so deeply connected with each other. You can feel it in every frame. We spent most of the session just running around, playing with poses, sitting on the chest, spinning in the grass, laughing until our stomachs hurt. Honestly, we didn’t take ourselves too seriously, and I think that’s what made it so good.
Then, toward the end of the shoot, the weather surprised us. The forecast had been clear, but suddenly this soft, drizzly rain started falling. Just enough to feel it — little droplets catching in the light, dusting their hair and clothes, creating the kind of atmosphere you can’t fake. And instead of running for shelter, they embraced it.
We finished the shoot with Megan and Payton running, twirling and laughing under the cloudy sky, completely unbothered by the rain. It wasn’t dramatic or intense — just this gentle, cinematic kind of drizzle that made the moment feel extra intimate. Quiet, raw, and real. The kind of moment you don’t plan, but end up loving the most.
I left that shoot wet, a little chilled, but so deeply happy. These are the sessions that remind me why I do this. It’s not just about the styling or the lighting or the gear. It’s about the people, the connection, the spontaneity — the way we get to freeze tiny pieces of real life and emotion into something we can hold on to.
Megan and Payton, thank you — truly — for trusting me again and again, for being wildly yourselves, and for reminding me that the best art usually comes from moments we don’t see coming.
