Fairbanks

Mining Isolation

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As a photographer, I’m always on the lookout for unusual settings and new backdrops. When I discovered the historic Ester Gold Camp and Malemute Saloon in Ester, Alaska were now sadly derelict, I felt like I had struck gold! Although I had grown up visiting this special place nearly every summer, I had never seen it for what it really is… a ghost town. Even better, I had the pleasure of working in this stunning setting with world-renowned belly dancer, Moria Chappell. Between the overgrown grasses, discarded relics, the Wanigans and other camp structures, a magical Saloon (which we were kindly let into), and working with gorgeous Moria, it was truly a dream shoot.

{Moria teaches workshops + classes all around the world and is also a performer with the Bellydance Superstars. Click HERE to view a video of her. I was so impressed!}

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18 + Life

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This session was shot last summer in Fairbanks, Alaska, just as Kassey and Trevor were going into their senior year of high school. Seeing as they both graduated this past week, I figured I’d better share these before they were in college!

We had a lot of fun shooting together, as evidenced by the multitude of locations we hit. I was also reminded of what it’s like to be young, in love, and about to graduate. I think I’d forgotten (or likely repressed) that special energy of being on the verge of independence. Teenagers can be so intense! Don’t get me wrong, they were game for anything and we had a lot of laughs to balance out the romance. As I drove away, I felt positive that these two have a wonderful future ahead of them.

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