xf90mm

Aolani & The Colorado Street Bridge /  by Mike Daclan

Yesterday I had a chance to shoot in a location I've been wanting to shoot at for a very long time.  I drive past it nearly weekly so once I found a model in Pasadena, I knew immediately where to book the shoot.  It's definitely a popular spot as there were three other photo sessions that were taking place over the course of the afternoon/evening.

Aolani joined me with her mom as a chaperone and we had a very fun time on this shoot.  Her would pop in every now and then to help adjust hair/makeup and swap stories with us while we walked to a different location.  She's been at this since she was 5 years old and with her 18th birthday coming up later this year, she's excited to do some more traveling for work and see the world!

We joked and laughed throughout the shoot and she very much felt like the little sister I never had.  By the time the shoot was wrapping up, we had already begun to plan our next shoot together later in the year.  The themes and ideas she had for that one were things I haven't done yet so I'm excited to try them out!  

52 Week Portrait Project - Week 26 /  by Mike Daclan

Switching it up and throwing something new into the mix.  Had a great time shooting this set with a model who was in town.  There were a few ideas that we were kicking around but based on timing, we decided to go with a domme/sub idea that she wanted to do.  As a bonus, I was able to book time at FD Photo Studios in DTLA.  I've been wanting to shoot here for a while and it easily lived up to my expectations.  You can definitely look forward to seeing more shoots in the different studios they have set there.

For this first round, I'm only posting the domme look and a bonus post will be the sub looks that she had.  I knew from the beginning that I would have different feels to each and I love the way the black and white feel works with all these detail shots.  It really helps to set a mood and atmosphere.

During my photo shoots I love to chat and get to know my subject a little bit more. You never know what kind of common bond of thread you will find and connect with. My shoot with Allyce was no exception.  During our time together I found out her boyfriend is Cambodian (as is my wife), so we got to chatting about where to go for all the tasty Cambodian food and our relationships.  It never ceases to amaze me on how people from so far away growing up in different worlds can always find something in common.  In today’s current climate it’s definitely something to hold on to and appreciate.