10 years, one tree and the effects of mankind

Ten years ago I was introduced to Cedar Island by a fellow photographer by the name of Shane Willis (RIP) His family is from that part of NC and he had been shooting around there for awhile. We had been communicating for a little bit of time and after awhile he gave me directions to there because I had been talking about wanting to find new out of the way places to shoot. He told me that I would fall in love with Cedar Island and boy did I. It’s just under a 2 hour trip from where I live but well worth the it.

During this time I started incorporating nature as a primary subject and the female form as an addition…wide scenes…etc, etc, etc. That’s when I came upon this tree:

Rachel, 2010

Several trips have been made over the past decade and while in that time I have found other trees to use a a backdrop this one has always been my beacon, my first.

Bria, 2014

Jamie and Jillian, 2014

Crystal, 2015

Zy, 2016

Karen, 2016

Which brings us to its current state:

Sarah Lace, 2020

Now let us back up a year to 2019. Our first photo trip wasn’t until June 30th and we took Bria up for a rare second trip. While I didn’t shoot her on that particular tree on this trip it was still intact. A week later on July 7th we went up there again where I photographed my now wife as my birthday muse. When we walked down the beach to where “my tree” was the vast majority had been cut up for firewood as was evidenced by a makeshift fire pit not far from the tree itself. Suffice it to say I was a tad bit distraught. This tree has survived 100mph howling winds from hurricanes in the 10 year timeframe I’ve been going up there but it couldn’t survive a random 4th of July holiday.

They have started to revitalize the businesses in Cedar Island and around the ferry terminal which brings more money into an area that probably needs it. With that brings more people and with more people means “less privacy” down the beach. It’s not really a destination beach so it never really gets too crowded. When you time your arrival there and the fact you have a clear line of sight down the beach it’s not uncommon to have my subject nude the entire time up there uninterrupted, up to about 3 hours.

My time making the trip up there may be coming to a close. I wasn’t going to go this year but something called me back. I may have one last season in me. We shall see…

Claire

It was a warm cool day.

Stormy Beach

It was a day of playing in the dunes and tide pools to avoid beachgoers in their trucks out to fish.

Stormy. Ilford FP4. Hasselblad 500 CM. Hasselblad 50mm

A Wolf in the Woods

This one time with Danny Wolf

Alycia and the chair

Alycia loves her some furniture.  

Cedar Island 2015

I made my first trip of the year out to Cedar Island with Alycia and Norma last week. They had been wanting to go for the longest time and they were like giddy kids at Christmas when we set up the excursion. As soon as we crossed over the bridge they said, in unison, "The road!".

We got a few shots on the marsh road. Traffic wasn't that bad but I wanted to get to the beach before the sun got too high. We got to play on my favorite tree. The horses from the ranch were out so we got as close as we could for some shots with them. 

It was a great trip and the girls had a blast. Plus being able to sunbathe fully nude was a new experience for them. Guess that's what happens when no one comes down to that end of the beach for about 3 hours.

Negative Space

As the weather warms up the closer to the beach I get and the many beautiful forms that want to follow me there. The freedom of the openness, warm water, warm sun, warm sand...you get the idea. Then there is the sound of the water. Such a beautiful, soothing, healing sound. Soon, Lord Neptune, soon. 

Happy Birthday, Elexa

On 3/14 Elexa finished another lap around the sun and she has the glorious legs to show for it. Another year, another birthday shoot. No Cedar Island this year. Mother Nature was being quite crabby so our plan is to go up there on my birthday in July. Plus it will be warmer. Till then... 

My favorite scarf of hers. 

A certain level of understanding

Not everyone I work with is comfortable in their skin. Some don't see themselves as beautiful, feminine or attractive. There is one attribute I feel that the majority want or are looking for is confidence. 

Deanna, Hasselblad 500CM, Ilford HP5+ 

That ability to look in the mirror and say "I got this" or "Screw them, I'm fabulous" but society and our peers have a wicked way of beating some of us into submission. Trying to help someone in that situation is never easy and never a quick fix. 

Being told you're different can have bad connotations but that's what makes us unique and life less boring. We are sponges from the day we are born till the day die and we all see beauty differently. We are beautiful to some and not all and that's ok. 

Yggdrasil's Child

It's pretty cool when you collaborate with someone for awhile you start to anticipate what the other is thinking or wants.

J and I were scouting around this park looking for spots to play at when we came across this tree. Before I could say anything she's already running for the tree peeling her clothes off. A quick check for creepy crawly things and she already knew the pose she wanted. Funny thing is that if she hadn't have done it I would have told her to.