ANALEE'S PORTRAIT SESSION

Say hello to Analee! She’s an emerging model from the La Crosse area, but dreaming of bigger. We met at our day jobs and set up a photoshoot together on a gorgeous day in August. First, we stopped in the downtown La Crosse area to get some urban shots while the sun was still high.

While we were working, a car pulled over very suddenly near us. I carry pepper spray and secretly pent up anger with me to my photoshoots, so I was getting a little nervous. But then a woman slowly got out and walked towards us saying “I’m going to come over all creepy like, but it’s because I own Melanin Beauty Bar and we specialize in working with curly and multicultural hair… and I see you both have curly hair.” She shared her business cards with us, showered us in compliments on our photoshoot and Analee’s natural beauty, and then she hopped in her car and was on her way. How sweet!

We moved our party of two further down the street where I spotted this vintage shop. It was closed for the day by the time we got there, which was a bummer, but we used the outside area to our advantage!

For our second location, we made the drive out to Como Falls in Hokah, MN. My dad grew up in Hokah, which is why I originally knew Como Falls even existed. I first photographed there in 2018, when I was doing practice portrait sessions to better learn my camera. Some time after that photoshoot, the park was devastatingly destroyed by a major flood. The community worked together and were able to restore the park and waterfall. Going back a year or so later, I was amazed at how beautiful the park still looks.

After getting a quick look at the area (and the LIGHT TEST SHOTS shown above that I told her I wouldn’t even edit), we changed outfits and journeyed around the back of the waterfall for some dreamy light.

Analee said she found this vintage mirror in her grandmother’s attic, and I told her to bring it or else.

Time for the last outfit! We went back around the waterfall to the bottom again, stopping along the way when we felt the vibe. Analee was so willing to get in the water, get her dress wet, climb all over rocks, and she managed to keep a straight face through me absolutely falling over to get the shot on several occasions.

Okay this is the rock part…. I was falling on rocks and she stayed workin.

Analee made this photoshoot so much fun! Her sunshine personality came through on camera, and she really does brighten every room she walks into. We have plans to get together again very soon - 2020 permitting. She was a joy to work with, and I can’t recommend her enough if you need a confident, energetic model! @analeejaekel