Ethan likes to say that I (Stef) am unable to have “just a normal vacation”. While Ethan is always on the hunt for our next life adventure together, I’m always searching our next photo opportunity. (In my own defence: we typically travel with our gear anyways and there’s just something so inspiring about shooting in a new location that makes me feel excited) I’m happy to say that this time the tables turned and it was actually Ethan who pitched shooting with Taira, which to our joyous surprise she was on board for!

Taira runs a beautiful leather goods company called Salty Western— “Salty Western was created by islander Taira Barron Cran. She grew up on the North Shore of Oahu and surfed before she could walk. Everyday revolved around the ocean, though her love for horses and the country life grew just as strong. Eventually, she moved to a 35,000 acre cattle ranch on the Big Island of Hawai’i. In her new little cowboy house, she started to use her creativity through leather. Experimenting with it, she began wetting it, dying it, cutting it up, and carving it. She drew inspiration in from her versatile lifestyle; from coming out of the Pacific ocean with dripping salty hair, to sitting by a fire with dirty cowboy boots, sipping whiskey after a long cattle drive. Much like living through an old western movie, though this one is surrounded by Hawaiian salt in the air. This was how Salty Western was born.”

We spent an evening with Taira at her ranch (after first going to the wrong ranch lol) where we photographed her working on, and with, some her of products. Waimea is also known as Hawaiian cowboy county, full of rolling green pastures, and home to lots of cowboy and cattle ranches so this was truly the perfect backdrop to shoot with Taira considering her brand ethos. What is it about watching other artists work that is so beautiful and interesting? Because that’s how photographing Taira felt. We walked around the ranch, said hi to a horse (!!), and later watched the sunset after we parted ways. It was such an honour to do this and we’re so thankful for Taira’s invitation to visit, we look forward to returning one day!

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While our trip out to BC this past summer was more to see friends and family, and to admire the mountains, we thought if we could set up a shoot, if the timing worked out, if all of the stars aligned for this then we’d love to do it... and it did, and we did! I can’t tell you the last time that we actually had a personal shoot to ourselves, to just collaborate, hang out in a beautiful location, and have absolutely no pressure or expectations out of it. So even though this wasn’t top priority for our vacation, we were really excited to make the time for this shoot. We connected with our wonderful stylist, Jasmine Kamboj over Instagram (where else do ppl meet these days lol) and she was such an invaluable, boots on the ground, resource for this. In addition to her great styling, she also connected us with Callum’s modelling agency, Richards Models, and badda bing badda boom it all came together.

I (Stef) was eager to shoot somewhere unlike Toronto and the first thing that came to mind was the mountains. Not being from the area I wasn’t sure what the logistics of shooting in the city is (permits, special requests, what times to avoid peak crowds?) so after some quick research we opted for a public area of Pitt Meadows, starting just before the crack of dawn. I was hoping for a clear morning so we could get an epic sunrise over the mountains but 1. it was an overcast morning so there was so no sun, and 2. we were not east facing (which I didn’t realize until leaving lol). The ambience of the clouds added to the session and prompted us to use some fun flash moments I don’t think we would have otherwise done.

It was a fun morning with a fun crew, we’re so thankful for people who go along with our ‘hey call time is 5am is that ok?’ schemes, and we can’t wait to do it again next time we’re in the area! Maybe not at sunrise though haha.

We’re also really excited to have a photo from this session featured on Photo Vogue!

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Model: Callum at Richards Models / Stylist: Jasmine Kamboj