Mermaids Washed Ashore (a photoshoot at the Bonneville Salt Flats)

Mermaids Washed Ashore (a photoshoot at the Bonneville Salt Flats) | Utah Portrait Photographer

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS, UTAH, USA | SUMMER 2019

The Salt Flats are a crusted landscape that yields the most beautiful cotton candy sunset I've seen in my life. Bringing mermaids to the shallow depths of an otherwise lifeless scene fulfilled both my irresistible sense of juxtaposition and two major items on my photography bucket list, mermaids and visiting the Salt Flats. I've lived in Utah almost my whole life and never once made the trip.

A trip like this was a big deal. Have you ever carried a wearable mermaid tail? Heavy. Plus it's a couple of hours driving each way. To justify bringing a crew along I really wanted to make the theme and styling count.

Terryn (& Husband)

Jax Hernandez (wearing the dress I made from a thrifted curtain)

WARDROBE

I fished through my fabric stash for every mermaid object I could find--seashells, beads, pearls, ribbons, nets, even sand--but the real gem for me turned out to be an old mesh curtain I thrifted years ago hoping to use it for...well, something like this! I think the cream paired well with the stark white of the landscape.

Hair accessories were crafted by Ashley, and the rest of the wardrobe was composed of pieces the models already owned (especially the tails).

Sarah Abraham

Sarah & Ethan

Three Mermaids

CREDITS

Styling: @hello_wayfinder (myself and photographer Ashley Gardner)

Jax Hernandez @jaxcreative | Hair & Makeup by @elyssa.anderson.hair | Gown by @wendyhurstportrait | Crown by @gardnerhousephotography
Sarah Abraham @livthelovelylife | Hair & Makeup by @elyssa.anderson.hair | Mermaid Top by @livthelovelylife
Terryn Worthington @cliffterryn | Hair & Makeup by Jocelyn Worthington
Ethan @ethan.kart | Hair & Makeup by @elyssa.anderson.hair

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