Golden Hour Creative Portrait Session | Abandoned Gas Station in Georgia
One of my favorite things about photography is the opportunity to get creative and bring an idea to life just for the fun of it.
I remember one day I drove past an abandoned gas station about fifteen minutes outside of my hometown. Immediately, I found myself imagining the photos that could be taken there. There was something about the weathered building, faded signs, and overall atmosphere that immediately caught my attention. I decided I needed to make this session happen.
Luckily, a good friend of mine, Mae, was willing to jump on board and model for me. We headed out one evening in August with one goal in mind: to take advantage of the beautiful golden hour light while creating something a little edgy and different from my usual sessions.
To match the vibe of the location, she wore a black crop top, jean shorts, and Doc Martens. The outfit fit the setting perfectly and complemented the rugged, abandoned feel of the gas station. From the moment we arrived, I knew this session had the potential to be something special.
One of my favorite parts about creative shoots is that there are no expectations beyond creating something unique. They give me the chance to experiment with different poses, angles, and compositions while pushing myself creatively. Sometimes the best images come from simply having an idea and seeing where it takes you.
As the evening went on, we found ourselves racing against the setting sun and trying to squeeze every last bit of daylight out of the session. While it felt a little stressful in the moment, it ended up being completely worth it.
There's a reason photographers are always recommending golden hour sessions. The hour before sunset creates soft, warm light that is much more flattering than the harsh midday sun. It gives skin a beautiful glow, reduces harsh shadows, and adds warmth and depth to every image. It's one of the easiest ways to create photos that feel natural, timeless, and a little bit magical.
We were able to capture some gorgeous golden hour portraits before the sun dipped below the horizon, and just before we packed up, we were rewarded with a stunning sunset that created some of my favorite images from the entire session.
Looking back, this session produced some of my favorite images in my portfolio. I may be a little biased, but I still think they are absolutely stunning. It was one of those shoots that reminded me why I love photography so much. Sometimes all it takes is a location that sparks your imagination, a friend willing to trust your vision, and a little bit of creativity.
I hope you enjoy looking through these images as much as I enjoyed creating them. And if you have a unique idea or location you've been dreaming about, I would love to help bring it to life.
