From day one of this attempt at a photography career, there have been two constants. One is the encouragement, advice, and modeling help from Nicole. The other is automobiles, more specifically my 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. For years, I've always hoped that eventually the car would be a reliable and fun way to cruise around town while working on photos.
However, it's been a struggle ever since we finished restoring the car in 2011. It always seems like I spend the money for updates to the car and we fight problem after problem to get the car to run and drive correctly. In the meantime, I feel terrible about not being able to allow the girls that model with the car the opportunity to get behind the wheel.
Now, I'm sure there are some of you that are wondering why it is important that I allow the models the opportunity to drive this particular car... It's simple, I've always felt that there is something special about being able to drive a vehicle that is almost 50 years old. The stress and worries seem to fade away, and you feel more connected with the vehicle and the people who are with you.
Finally, after years of updates, problems, and struggles...I felt we had solved all the major mysteries and fixed the major issues. Don't get me wrong, there's still things that need to be fixed and money that needs to be spent, but it's a never-ending cycle... The car was finally easy and enjoyable to drive!
The shoot with Alayna and Nicole was cut short, due to a prior commitment. Nicole and I were just going to visit for a while, when I suggested taking the car for a small cruise, she agreed. Nicole was finally going to get to drive the car that she's been modeling with for years!
Getting to cruise around with friends has become more special to me, simply because I'm no longer able to do it as often as I once was. Everyone is busy with their own lives, pursuing their own dreams, and finding their own happiness...it's just how life goes, I guess. These little moments help keep me motivated to do and be better.
Sorry for all the rambling, I'll get back to the details of this shoot. As we were driving around we passed a farm field with an old barn. It was a location that I had always wanted to get some photos of the car parked on the side of the road. I just thought that the old barn in the field was a cool backdrop, that's the photographer in me I guess.
I asked Nicole if she wanted to stop and do an impromptu shoot with the car. In typical Nicole fashion, she smiled and said "Yeah, it'll be fun!" Once we got the car positioned, the photos just seemed to happen...we sort of went with a "stranded" idea and ran with it.
These are by far some of Nicole's best modeling photos! She looks so comfortable and confident in each pose. She does an amazing job of balancing sassy and flirty, with elegance and class. You forget that the car is even there...
Since this shoot was for fun, I asked Nicole if she would mind snapping a few photos of myself with the car. Everyone knows that I own the car, but I have very few photos where I actually feel like the owner of the car. I felt that this was a good opportunity to get some new photos and boost my self-confidence. Now, I'm no model...my Cerebral Palsy and receding hairline make sure of that. I know that everyone would much rather see Nicole or any of the other gorgeous models, that's why I normally stay behind the camera. I was having fun and feeling genuinely happy...I just wanted to capture that feeling.
This photo shoot was an "unofficial" end to my Summer. It was a good way to spend some quality time with a great friend... sometimes it's the simplest things that end of being memories that last a lifetime!
