Summary:
In this first episode of our Photo Talk series, we break down a desert fashion photoshoot that was planned with a clear concept and executed with intention from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
• The shoot was built around a Mad Max inspired desert fashion photoshoot concept
• The location was the Imperial Sand Dunes near the California and Arizona border
• The shoot moved through multiple lighting phases including golden hour, sunset, and blue hour
• All images were captured using natural light with no artificial lighting
• The final images became a curated collection of fine art desert fashion photography prints
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Inside a Mad Max Inspired Fine Art Shoot with Nina and Shawna Crenshaw
This week we are starting a new series called Photo Talk, where Nina and I sit down and talk through a photoshoot that either we both worked on or one of us shot in the past. The goal is to slow things down and talk honestly about creative decisions and execution.
For the first episode, we are talking about a desert fashion photoshoot Nina did with tattooed alternative model Shawna Crenshaw, who also happens to be one of Nina’s best friends.
Shawna had a birthday coming up and wanted to do something intentional. Not a shoot created just for content, but a desert photoshoot that felt aligned with who she is and where she was at in her life. Nina had already been photographing in the sand dunes near the California and Arizona border, and Shawna was drawn to that environment immediately.
The concept came together quickly. Mad Max meets fashion. The idea was to create something bold and slightly confrontational while still grounded in beauty and control.
Shawna handled the styling herself and arrived fully prepared. Every detail was thought through before they ever stepped onto the sand. This was not an open ended shoot. It was a planned desert fashion photoshoot built around a specific visual language.
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Choosing the Sand Dunes for a Desert Fashion Photoshoot
The sand dunes are not an easy place to shoot. The temperature was over one hundred degrees that day, and the sand was deep and constantly shifting. Getting to the top of the dunes requires real effort, and once you are there, you are fully exposed to the elements.
Nina planned the timing carefully. The goal was to shoot across multiple lighting conditions, starting earlier in the day and staying through golden hour, sunset, and into blue hour. Many desert fashion photoshoots end before blue hour because it feels unpredictable. Nina stayed because that light defined the tone of the work.
Images from the Desert collection with Shawna Crenshaw | Missfit Studios
Working with an Alternative Model in a Desert Photoshoot
Shawna is not just a model. She is a tattoo artist and alternative model whose body carries meaning, history, and intention. Her tattoos reference Black cultural figures and personal moments that matter deeply to her.
That understanding changes how you approach an alternative model photoshoot.
Nina approached the shoot knowing Shawna did not need to be transformed. The focus was on creating space for her to exist naturally within the desert environment. There were no strobes, no artificial lighting, and no attempts to overpower the scene. Every image in this desert fashion photoshoot was captured using natural light.
Natural Light Desert Fashion Photography
As the sun dropped lower, the shoot became faster and more demanding. Nina and Shawna moved constantly through the dunes to stay in the light. Silhouettes emerged as the sun reached the horizon. Warm tones slowly gave way to cooler blues.
At one point, the moon appeared in the sky while the sun was still illuminating Shawna’s skin. Those moments do not last long and cannot be recreated.
This is what makes desert fashion photography compelling. The images document the progression of the day honestly rather than forcing everything to match a single mood.
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From Desert Fashion Photoshoot to Fine Art Prints
Although the shoot was planned with a strong concept, it was never intended to become a product.
Once the images were reviewed as a complete set, it became clear that a small group of them deserved a longer life beyond the screen. We selected three to four images that represent the full arc of the desert fashion photoshoot.
These images are now available as a curated collection of fine art fashion photography prints on shop.zenandbaelife.com.
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The Photo Talk Conversation Behind the Shoot
Nina and I also recorded a full Photo Talk conversation breaking down this desert fashion photoshoot in detail. We discussed the concept, the challenges of shooting in the desert, the lighting decisions, and why certain images stood out more than others.
That video can be watched on our YouTube channel @zenandbae. If you are interested in desert fashion photography, creative process, or planning shoots in challenging environments, the conversation adds important context.
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About the Model
The model featured in this desert fashion photoshoot is Shawna Crenshaw. She is a tattoo artist and alternative model whose presence is central to the strength of this work. You can find her for bookings on Instagram at instagram.com/shawna.crenshaw_.
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Photo Talk Series Ep. #01
Explore the Fine Art Print Collection
If this desert fashion photoshoot resonated with you, the fine art prints are available now as a small curated collection on shop.zenandbaelife.com.
These prints are designed to live in spaces where you spend time and where the images can unfold slowly rather than being glanced at once and forgotten.
You can view the full collection and see which piece speaks to you.
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FAQ SECTION
Where was this desert fashion photoshoot photographed
The shoot took place in the Imperial Sand Dunes near the California and Arizona border.
Was artificial lighting used
No. Every image was captured using natural light only.
How many prints are available
The collection includes three to four selected images from the shoot.
