DIVE BAR DATE NIGHT

In August of 2023 I decided to do something I called my “August project”.

I posted on my instagram several different shoot ideas that I wanted to do, hoping that people who resonated with the ideas I posted would reach out and do the shoots with me.

Luckily I have an amazing following of people who resonate with my work and I filled the spots for all my passion shoots.

Not only did I want to stretch my creative brain but also my photography skills. I believe in always trying to further my education and my skills, so for each shoot I tried stretching a skill.

This bar date photo shoot was something I have always wanted to do. Growing up in Montana you learn to love a good dive bar, and the sense of community and personality that comes in each one.

I also wanted to mess around with my flash. Flash photography isn’t everyone’s favorite thing. It can easily look bad if done improperly but it is such a useful tool in the trade.

I used to teach flash classes at a photography school in Missoula, MT, and have taught over 80 photographers how to use a flash.

Does that make me perfect with a flash? Absolutely not.

That’s why it is always important to practice.

Every photo you see here is lit by flash and yet the flash isn’t distracting to the eye, it adds the dive bar ambiance that these photos need.

I absolutely loved doing this shoot. My couple was having fun, I was having fun, and I gained so much from doing this shoot.

I would be so excited to do more shoots like this, so please reach out if photos in a dive bar resonate with you ;)