Model list for this photoshoot was: (not all photographed)
Adele Spears, Caitlin Lowry, Cameron Wheeler, Cheyenne Wallace, Chris Sanders, Ginger Drake, Hope Frohbieter, Isodle Kotch, Jessica Frasier, Johanna Guio, Kaden Richardson, Nuria Aguilor, Tim Schiefer
Location: Tavener Gin and Grain in Tavener Tx
As a photographer, walking into a place like this instantly sparks your imagination. A location this raw makes you think about the portraits you could create with the right model, wardrobe, and—most importantly—the right light. It’s not every day you get the chance to shoot inside a cotton gin, and I wanted to make the most of it.
I could’ve bumped up the ISO or slowed the shutter to pull in more ambient light, but for this session I wanted to lean fully into a studio-light approach. The darkness inside worked in my favor, giving me complete control over the lighting. I used three studio lights—two umbrellas for soft fill and a beauty dish with a grid for the main light—which let me sculpt the mood and keep the images crisp, clean, and true to the gritty character of the space.
What made this session really come together was how the environment responded to controlled lighting. The metal walls and machinery created natural flags and bounce, letting me fine-tune contrast without extra modifiers. The beauty dish with the grid kept the light tight on the model, while the umbrella fills softened shadows just enough to keep the look polished rather than harsh. For photographers, it was a fun challenge—shaping studio light in a space that normally has none.
At the same time, this shoot reminded me how much a creative location can elevate a portrait session, especially for high school seniors looking for something unique. You don’t need a traditional backdrop to create standout images; with the right lighting and a bold setting, you can build a session that feels editorial, dramatic, and perfectly personal. Below are a few of the images we created in this gritty, high-fashion setup.