Eureka, UT 2018 // Utah Fashion Photographer

Darby Hadley, model, in an abandoned train car in Eureka, UT.
[2017 Eureka]
[2017 Little Sahara]
[2018 Little Sahara]

This one: Eureka, UT
Not this one: a word describing a cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something

But really it's both.

Last year I took a day trip with one other photographer and two models to Eureka (the city) and experienced a feeling of wanderlust so intense, so incredibly addictive that I set a goal for myself: GO. BACK. BETTER.

And by better I don't mean the experience itself--I meant ME.

Last year was a renaissance of creative self. I resolved to start saying 'no' to jobs I didn't want and saying YES to jobs I did. I committed to learn as much as I possibly could about light and how to make it do everything my imagination could see. And finally, in a year's time I would return to this place with fresh perspective and measure my progress based on intangible instinct that would determine my success or failure: Was I better? Was I more confident, more tactical, more efficient, more...better?

YES! Abandoned train car too dark? Smashed it with a fill flash. Premature sunset behind a wall of smoky clouds? Squished it with a low-powered flash to the side...and briefly, held between my knees so it wouldn't get buried in a sandstorm. These are skills I was too chicken or too unfamiliar with to try in the wild last year and this year felt almost ludicrous not to use.

Next year I'll try somewhere new, though. Promise. Just as soon as I can think of a place...

A WORD ABOUT ABANDONED PLACES

I am all about community over competition when it comes to sharing techniques, skills, and locations--with three key exceptions:

1-If the location is on private property,
2-In a place that can be or already has been destroyed by too many people visiting, and/or
3-The spot is searchable on the internet and the individual asking is too lazy to do their own research.

The last two might make some people mad, but let's be real. Abandoned places are already in a state of shambles. If you find an abandoned spot and have permission to shoot there, be cautious about your safety and respect the property. Do your research, take the time to look around and you'll find some beautiful places. Google "ugly location challenge" and you'll see what I mean.

Can't wait to see what you create!

A NOTE ABOUT GOSHEN
Goshen is another city near Eureka and has a hill where the old Tintic Mine used to be. Covered in graffiti and, according to pictures, looks like a BEAUTIFUL spot to shoot. Small snag, though.

1) The mine is in a place with arsenic contamination and is blocked off for good reasons.
2) Google Maps thinks the railroad tracks that wrap around the hill is a road to get there.

That is, it's a gravel road with a small drop-off into grasslands that eventually becomes overgrown railroad tracks. Let's just say it's a good thing I have 4-wheel drive and reliable passengers to help guide us backwards to get out. You heard me right: Google doesn't really know everything.

Onward.

-----
Models:
Darby Hadley @theoriginal_gingersnap
Marissa McEwan @mrssann.e -- makeup by @peacock.artistry






Marissa McEwan, model, at a fence near an abandoned field in Eureka, UT. Makeup: Peacock Artistry.



























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