As part of the Griffith Park Outdoor Expedition project I shot in fall 2024, I worked alongside producer and model Clifton Sneed to produce a series of lifestyle images near the Griffith Observatory and along the trails of Mount Hollywood.
PREPARING FOR THE OUTDOOR PHOTOSHOOT CAMPAIGN
In preparation for this shoot, I wanted to include accessories and gear that would provide more posing options and produce a more cinematic look to the final images. Clifton was able to bring a backpack, a water bottle, a watch, and sunglasses.
I visit Mount Hollywood often to capture landscapes at sunset, so I already had a good idea as to how I wanted the final images to look.
In the beginning of the photoshoot, I wanted to capture simple and clean portraits of Clifton. At this point in the day, the sun was starting to set but was still high enough in the sky to cast harsh shadows on his face if we were shooting in the sunlight.
The Griffith Observatory itself (and the terrace) was closed since it was Monday, but there were plenty of shady spots around the building to get some clean, even lighting. While the area around the observatory was pretty busy with tourists, we managed to find a small spot near the building that was less crowded. For most portrait shoots, I use the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART because of its amazing compression.
BACKPACK PHOTOSHOOT ON THE TRAIL
As the sun started to get lower, we moved over to the Griffith Park trails leading toward the Hollywood Sign. In addition to the watch, Clifton brought out the backpack and we were able to get some nice hiking-style images featuring the travel accessory.
Because I have been in this location many times and recently scouted the area, I planned the backpack to be used in a small area where there’d be less people passing by and with a lot of tall trees to create a more woodsy-style background.
Since sunset hadn’t fully come yet, I used the shade caused by the trees to get some even lighting on the model’s face.
SUNSET LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE MOUNTAINS
As the sun lowered, Clifton switched over to another jacket to get some more lifestyle-fashion images. We moved away from the trees and onto a small bridge that begins a trail toward the Hollywood Sign.
For this part of the photoshoot, we included the watch and sunglasses. The sun started to set over the mountains so we were able to get some great backlit portraits and lifestyle images. These golden hour images were definitely my favorite in the group of photos during this session.
Because there wasn’t a lot of space for me to capture full-body shots of Clifton on the bridge with an 85mm lens, I switched to the Sigma 35mm lens to capture these photos. One of the biggest benefits of using a wider angle lens is that you get to see more of the environment in the shot and not just have the model be the only thing in focus. The 35mm lens provides a great balance between the subject and the location.
Side-lit outdoor lifestyle photography
Moving forward, we did some last minute walking shots to continue the hiking narrative with the backpack and water bottle.
Clifton and I moved quickly into the next part of the outdoor photoshoot as we were starting to lose light. Clifton changed into another jacket and we captured a few more sunset portraits with a bit of a different background. With Clifton facing a different direction, we were able to capture some lifestyle images with side lighting.
As an outdoor photographer without control over the light, it’s important to try and get a variety of different lighting options as quickly as possible. For this part of the photoshoot, I switched back to the Sigma 85mm lens because I had more space to get Clifton doing walking shots.
Interestingly enough, the photos on the bridge and these photos were both taken with the same aperture of f/3.5. You can tell the difference in compression between the 35mm lens and the 85mm lens. I found the background for the 85mm photos to be much less impressive than that of the 35mm lens photos so I didn’t mind having it blurred out as much.
OUTDOOR FITNESS SHOTS AT SUNSET AND BLUE HOUR
Clifton switched wardrobe to fitness clothes for the rest of sunset and blue hour. I wanted to capture more of a silhouette-style image with the fitness clothes before the sun had fully set. I had Clifton facing the mountains and sunset doing basic stretches. The golden color of the image and the lens flare caused by the 85mm lens adds a cinematic feel to the final image.
As blue hour approached, Clifton continued to do some basic fitness poses with an Apple Watch and water bottle.
Final Thoughts
I have taken photos around the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Mountains multiple times, but this was one of my first times working with a model in this location. One of the most challenging things about outdoor photography (especially with a model) is navigating the best way to utilize natural lighting. As a creative director, it’s improtant that I come to set with enough of a vision in mind that I can use my time efficiently, but not be too attached and allow for spontaneity.
