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Explorers Photo Shoot

The Adventure School was hired to style a shoot with renowned photographer Anne Mathern. The shoot took place on the California Coast. First we had to get there. We loaded up the rented SUV with an impossible group of numbered bins containing everything from mini bananas to Aqua Net to a giant magnifying glass with a horn handle. Then we hopped on the five and headed south for about 12 quick hours; I personally became best friends with the giant beauty dish that was smashed up against me in the backseat. We took our journey seriously, stopping only to grub on Portland’s cheap sushi and stop at a Les Schwab in some desolate Californian town. Ultimately, we knew that our hotel in Trinidad California couldn’t be far off when we saw Babe the Blue Ox peering down at us from his home at the site of The Trees of Mystery looking like the devil himself.

The next morning, bright and early we took some shots on the beach. While Michaela got cold feet, literally from standing in the ocean, The Adventure School set up our steamer and clothes rack in the parking lot. Here is the first time, we were asked by tourists if we were selling something. We should have said, “Yes, we are selling one pair of denim overalls – size 2, do you want them? We also have some biore facial washcloths”. What?

Then we headed up the Redwood Highway to the forest to see some of the biggest trees in the world. It was really invigorating to be around all those big boys (the Redwoods). Vauhini Vara and Michaela Thyberg were our stunning models. Michaela’s natural tendency toward forest pixie-elf made the Redwood shots even more magical and mystical than previously imaginable. Then it was time to hit the road. No, big deal, right? Wrong! Night had fallen while we were still shooting. Trying to pack up numerous leather fringed skirts, cookies, moccasins and Pendleton blankets in the cold dark forest was hard enough, but little did we know we were about to hit up the real America.

A totally insane restaurant, by the name of The Apple Peddler best exemplified this wacky land. Home of the Tuna San, Cold Pork Sandwich and the world’s most disgruntled ex-con-ish servers, it provided a near-psychedelic dining experience. Next it was onto a night drive on what is probably the West Coast’s most treacherous road aka Lake of the Woods Highway leading from Medford to Klamath Falls. With ravines to the right, no guardrails in site and glowing eyes of deer surrounding us on all sides, this was a real nail biting-wheel gripping ride.

We made it safely, hit the hay at three am and were up again to take shots in the motel. It is here where I cut my hand really badly on a yogurt container, exhausting photo styling makes you week, I guess. Then our final destination was up, a trip to Lava Beds National Park. Here it was really, model by weekend, Wall Street Journal reporter by Weekday, Vauhini’s time to shine. Her strong features and sassy ‘tude really jazzed up the dismal caves and gave them more sex appeal. Personally, I was ecstatic to learn that Lava Beds National Monument is a natural home to my spirit animal, the mountain lion. Unfortunately (fortunately?) we didn’t see any. But just knowing they were around, made me feel good. And then we just had to drive home . . . Long story short, we made it out alive, came out with lots of great shots and were really impressed by the skill, tenacity and driving acumen possessed by Anne Mathern.

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