Meeting

I met Monica a few years ago when she moved to the Fort Worth, TX area from Los Angles, CA. She began to work at the veterinary hospital I was currently working at and we became friends pretty quickly thereafter. We both have a big passion for animal welfare. I knew when her mom moved to Benbrook, TX, bringing her long time snake friend, Ralphie, that I would need to do a photo shoot of the two of them. Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth was the perfect location for Monica’s portrait session with her snake.

Growing Up

I have always loved snakes. One of my best friends in elementary school had a very large Ball Python that we often played with. We would often go and catch snakes, befriending them for the afternoon, only to release them by evening. Obviously, I did not understand the dangers in “snake collecting” when I was young, but it goes to show that most snakes are harmless as I was never bitten. Sometimes I miss how fearless and pure my love for nature once was. I’ve tried to hold on tightly to my childlike attributes while becoming an adult, and I figured doing an enchanted photo shoot of a good friend and her California King snake would be a start.

Getting Started

We arrived at Tandy Hills Natural Area at dusk, laying in flowering fields and exploring the golden grounds and lush landscapes. Monica was incredibly easy and fun to photograph. I doubt most people would believe me when I say that she has no modeling experience. Although getting dear Ralphie to stay still for some of the poses was a challenge, he did incredibly well. He was very patient while Monica and I draped and wrapped him around her in various ways. Some friendships are unlikely or misunderstood, but a picture is worth a thousand words. In the end, I believe we, as a team, captured the essence of their friendship: mysterious, unique, and graceful. Click here to see another dreamy Tandy Hills Natural Area portrait session!

 

Tandy Hills Natural Area Portrait Session | Ralphie and Monica