Makayla wore a black dress and slip-on boots—uncomplicated, unbothered, and completely at home in the landscape. I loaded my gear into the back of a Kawasaki Mule and held on while she drove us out to a wide-open stretch of pasture tucked far off the nearest road—where the sky stretches a little farther and the world grows quiet.
The grass was thick, the sun was bold, and everything felt expansive.
There’s just something about stepping into a place like that—off the beaten path and away from the city noise—that makes you stand a little taller. You feel your own strength more clearly. Out there, it’s not about the perfect pose or a polished prop. It’s about showing up with what you can carry and creating something meaningful with it.
I had a clear vision in mind: simplicity, strength, and authenticity.
Not knowing whether I’d rely on the sun as my main light or use it as a hair light, I packed my strobes and batteries. I love positioning the sun behind my subject and using it as a natural hair light—casting that soft rim of glow that brings an image to life. With the sun behind her and the strobe lighting her face, I could balance the sky’s drama with clean, controlled light.
For a few frames, I set the strobes aside and leaned fully into natural light—letting her lift her face to the sun and let it wrap around her. There’s a quiet power in those moments, when the light is honest and nothing is forced.
Makayla moved through the space with a kind of quiet confidence—no props, no drama, just grounded presence. Soft but not fragile. Still, but unshakable.
These four portraits came from that afternoon. They’re shaped as much by the feeling of the place as by the light—soft, strong, and grounded. That’s what I’m always chasing: truthful moments in wild spaces.
Model: Makayla Urbanek
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