Fun with Airstream

This week, I'm debuting new collaborative work I created for my rep Lenlee. She asked each of her photographers to create a series of images celebrating Airstream Travel Trailers. I began by delving into the history of Airstream, and became inspired by the personality and character of the founder Wally Byam. I decided to illustrate a series of images based on Wally's musings about Airstream and the spirit of travel and adventure it promotes. Airstream's long and storied history is as much a part of Americana as a road trip! My vision soon evolved into a nostalgic look at what's "just over the next hill..." through six different decades.

Conceptualizing the scenes was the easy part! I now had to bring the concepts to reality... But, before any propping, styling, makeup and models, there was a real road trip to take. A trip that literally covered one thousand miles. Seeking beautiful and surreal settings, I drove east from Seattle to the Palouse region of Washington state. There I captured the rolling hills and vistas that serve as the backdrops to the Airstream scenes. And instead of hauling an Airstream trailer all over the state, we stopped in Spokane to shoot our hero -- a darling 1963 Globe Trotter. Owner Tammy Reid coordinated with Airstream of Spokane to allow me to photograph her baby right in their parking lot! Later, the Airstream would be digitally transported it into the various settings.

Now onto wardrobe and models! We were fortunate to assemble a talented team to carry out the final component. The combination of fantastic styling and wardrobe from Collette Jones and ISH Vintage Clothing; period-inspired hair and makeup from Glynne Davies; and our delightfully energetic models Erin Mayovsky and Blue Stiley from Seattle Models Guild (Andrew Burkhardt, agent) completed the look for each decade and theme. All the pieces were there... I just needed to digitally put it all together.

Numerous people pitched in to make this project happen. Thanks again to co-producers Lenlee Jenckes and Wendy Dreaney; props from Jacob at Gregg's Greenlake Cycle, Jay Boone at Emerald City Guitars, Nock Point Archery, and Marjie at Johnson & Johnson Antiques. Plus our own team of photo assistant Derrick Gibson and video editor Chad Johnson.

Here is a look behind the scenes of our model photo session. Thanks team! - Darryl