Test Shoot at the Cascades
08/02/26
And so, with my summer project Morning Chorus wrapped due to the days getting shorter and cutting off the light during my morning walks, it’s time to move on to my autumn project… something I’ve yet to title, though I’m sure that will come as the work develops.
I headed out to New England National Park with a friend to do a test shoot on the Cascade Trail, a track I hadn’t yet explored. In some sense, we got more than we bargained for: the trail itself took around three hours, not including the time spent setting up and taking photos, and on top of that it was a 45-minute hike just to reach the trailhead (plus about an hour’s drive to get there), so it all adds up quickly. But it was more than worth it. What was meant to be a simple test shoot and location scout ended up producing some of my favourite photos from the past 24 months, images that left me feeling genuinely inspired and as though I have a clear direction moving forward. I think this project is going to be a banger.
The location itself feels absolutely magical and reminds me a little of the forest areas I explored as a kid. There’s a real dreamlike quality to this part of the national park, and the way the light cuts through in defined pockets allows for some really interesting compositions, playing bright highlights against the dark forest backdrop. My friend, who was kind enough to model for me, was an absolute blast to work with. She hasn’t really spent much time in front of the camera before, but her genuine excitement while exploring the area gave her a sense of energy and wonder that I think really comes through in the final images.
In terms of equipment, everything was shot on my Canon R8 fitted with a vintage Nikkor 85mm f/1.8. Most of it was captured wide open due to the low light on the forest floor, which only added to that dreamlike quality, it’s a combination I plan to stick with for the rest of the project. Since sharing these images on social media, I’ve already had a few more women express interest in modelling, so I’m excited to see where this project goes from here.
