This past winter we spent a couple of months based out of Sooke, BC, a quiet, oceanfront corner of Vancouver Island that really has a way of slowing everything down. We're grateful to have spent time on the traditional territory of the T'sou-ke First Nation, whose deep connection to this land and coastline is felt in everything the region offers.
Somewhere between the pan abode walls and the oversized windows of our rental, and the sound of the ocean just outside, a shoot idea started to take shape shortly after arriving. We connected with local model Kaydence (Métis & Cree) and stylist Lori from Style Me Up Rentals, and together we built a moodboard that reflected cozy and warm the property feels.
The concept really played on natural light, natural textures, warm wood interiors, and styling that leaned into that cottagecore aesthetic without taking itself too seriously. Kaydence's soft and easy presence was a perfect fit for the vibe we were after.
We'd been hoping for the kind of bright, golden day that makes outdoor natural light shooting effortless but what we got instead was dramatic cloud cover and a moody grey sky over the ocean, and really is there anything more BC than that? The contrast between the warm interior styling and the brooding Pacific outside gave the images a depth we weren't expecting really loved while editing afterwards.
It felt only right to shoot some of the session on film given the theme was about slowing down and leaning into texture; film really has a way of holding onto those things that digital sometimes glosses over.
Championing Indigenous talent in front of and behind the lens is something we're always mindful about and working with Kaydence was a natural extension of that, and a reminder of how much intention really enriches the work we create.
This shoot sits naturally alongside our lifestyle and fashion photography. If you're interested in a creative collaboration or model test, we'd love to hear from you— get in touch here :)
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