Ever get an idea stuck in your head and it just WON'T GO AWAY until you see it through?
I have wanted to do an outlaw-style western shoot for a few months now. It was stuck in my noggin' and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. While I was doing a couples session, I mentioned wanting to do more creative shoots. Tylar jumped at the chance.
Planning this shoot was pretty easy. Tylar had all the attire already and borrowed some extra things (a vintage jacket that was her grandmother's and a holster that was her grandfather's.)
I initially had another location in mind that was more of a forest setting but I knew I wanted it to feel more western than that. Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park in Gardnerville, NV was the perfect setting. There is a little bit of everything on the grounds; old farm equipment, a house with a gorgeous porch and a seemingly endless field.
During this session, we tried a combination of editorial and go-to poses and a ton of different outfits.
At one point Tylar said "You remember the movie Holes? I feel like Kissin' Kate Barlow!" and man, was that spot on!
I broke out my black chair and it fit the vibe we were going for. I also had a vision of a hat tipped low and scarf covering her face so we rolled with that too. Very "Western Outlaw".
With it being about 100 degrees at 7:30pm, I did run into an issue with my camera malfunctioning and had to end the session early. However, we got more than enough shots.
I think to date, this is one of my favorite creative sessions. I am so grateful to Tylar and her openness to any and all of my ideas!
Woohoo! You've stuck around this far! I would love to share some history on Dangberg Home Ranch with you.
From the ranch's website:
"Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg was only eighteen when he came to America in 1848. He came west in 1853, where he built a log cabin, cleared and irrigated his claim, and married Margaret Ferris, the daughter of a notable American family. A self-made man, his hard work, foresight, and leadership lead to prosperity and influence. The cabin grew into a house as Heinrich and Maggie raised five children who eventually inherited one of the largest ranches in western Nevada. In 1902, the family formed the Dangberg Land & Live Stock Co. and over the next few decades the ranch expanded to almost 50,000 acres supporting cattle and sheep, vegetable crops and other products. In 1905, the family founded the town of Minden and there, by themselves or in partnership with others, established several businesses focused on agriculture, banking, and a hotel. Today, the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park preserves this fascinating chapter in Nevada’s history. Nevada’s elite once passed through the doors of the Dangberg Home Ranch, and now you’re invited to visit, too."
While Dangberg Home Ranch is open to the public during daylight hours, it is a non-profit that relies on donations. Please consider donating here so that we can continue to preserve this piece of amazing Nevada history.
