The Bonneville Salt Flats are a fun location for portraits. It has been a few years since I last went out to the Salt Flats and it was worth it!
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-8-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
Maya is from Chicago and her job has been affected by covid-19 and so she has been doing some bucket list activities. One included a fashion photo shoot on the Salt Flats
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
There are several websites online that will rent fashion for a lot cheaper than buying a dress. This is true for bridal gowns and almost anything can be rented. So we have a unique red dress with flowing fabric. We even had a friend throwing the fabric in the air and ducking out of the way.
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-9.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Behind the scenes of a Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C680&ssl=1)
A behind the scenes of the photo shoot. My lighting setup has improved since my last Bonneville Salt Flat photo shoot.
And here we have the edited photograph where I have removed my light. I have enough sandbags to secure a small village. And the light helps add a bit of flare and drama to the scene. It was very bright to begin with, and we had to do the 1-2-3 open your eyes technique.
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C680&ssl=1)
One other tip before a photo shoot, don’t wear sunglasses for a few weeks before the photo shoot. If you wear sunglasses a lot your eyes aren’t accustomed to bright sun and you squint a lot. So that’s a great tip!
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-5.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Most of the people I photograph are not professional models. Professional models practice poses in front of a mirror so they know angles and what to do with their body, head, and hands. Since this was Maya’s first fashion shoot I was able to coach her on posing legs, hands, and head. The big take away is bending joints. No straight arms. Cross your legs. I’ll make you look your best.
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-4.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
And the Salt Flats cry out for epic wide shots. We have a pure white ground. We had textured clouds in the sky. Distant mountains help with some horizon detail for scale.
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
And I photoshopped the “assistant” throwing the dress in the air and running away.
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
July & August are the best months to photograph. The salt flats are dry and support a car, however, bring beverages. It can be 100ºF!
dav.d
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
![Red dress model on the Bonneville Salt Flats](https://i0.wp.com/www.davd.photo/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/maya-bonneville-salt-flats-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)