It’s so crazy to me how one decision can lead you toward an incredible and unexpected path. Well, in this case, it led me toward an incredible group of creatives and together we made desert magic. But before I continue, let me rewind back to the day before I decided to run away to Joshua Tree, California.
It was Friday afternoon when my friend Max Baker texted me asking if I had any Saturday plans. At that point, I wasn’t sure if my dad was going to be in town, so I told her I might be open. She then told me that a group of photographers and models were heading out to Joshua Tree to shoot. Unfortunately, a few of the models weren’t able to make it. Basically, she had an open seat and it seemed destined for me to take. She also mentioned that her friend Tom was in town and I HAD to meet him! Of course, I began to overthink the entire trip. Do I have enough money for gas? Do I have the right wardrobe? Is my skin even clear enough? I had so many unanswered questions which caused my stress levels to rise!
So What Happened Next?
My silly overthinking got the best of me and I ended up deciding not to go. The next morning I woke up around 7 A.M. to go to San Diego’s famous Spring Valley swap meet! When I got home it was only 11 A.M. and Max had mentioned that they weren’t heading out to Joshua Tree until 2 P.M. So when I got home I began to feel impulsive. I asked my sister if I should just screw everything and go, but she didn’t give me much of an opinion. I had a gut feeling that I needed to do something spontaneous. Before I knew it I told Max to save me a spot on that car ride to Joshua Tree! I jumped in the shower, packed my bags and headed out. Funny enough – I had wanted to visit Joshua Tree since FOREVER! This was my chance.
“LET’S RUN AWAY TO SOMEPLACE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE.”
I do have to admit that my drive up to Yorba Linda made me nervous. Although I love meeting new people and seeing old friends, I didn’t know what to expect. I was going to be a “model” once again and I felt super self-conscious. I hadn’t worked out in months and I was breaking out! But at the end of the day, I was excited.
“LIFE WAS MEANT FOR GOOD FRIENDS & GREAT ADVENTURE.”
Now here is where the fun begins – a glimpse into our Joshua Tree getaway and an introduction to those who joined me along for the ride. Our group consisted of four photographers: Max, Sam, Joey, and Tom. And six models: Kory, Max Joubert, Madeline, Brooke, Brandon, and myself.
Max & Samantha Baker
Right photo by @samanthabakerfilm ft. @brookemsanny
Max and Sam are the quirkiest, most talented and genuine twins you could ever meet! Did I mention they are kick-ass photographers? Well, add that to the list. I actually met Max at a creatives weekend getaway through The Gypsy Shack Collective (TGS) and met Sam at another TGS event. These girls have brought so much happiness into my life. I’m grateful for their friendship and I can totally be my weird self around them. And I had never met two sisters that go to Disneyland as much as they do. They somehow manage to make each Disney trip look better than the last. Max and Sam have worked with amazing artists such as Ross & Rocky Lynch, Bones, Rouxx & many more. Their dream job is to tour with one of their favorite musicians and capture the artist’s stage presence through film and photography. They are definitely close to making that happen.
Joey Mireles
Next up is sweet sweet Joey! I actually met Joey at the same time I met Sam. This boy has such a great attitude and energy that you can’t help but smile around him. He definitely makes me feel confident when he’s shooting me and I’m sure others will say the same. He’s the best photographer/hype-man a model can have. Which might explain why his models always look great in his pictures. Joey is currently a photographer at Disneyland and obviously creates awesome content outside of work during his many adventures. His photography style is so bright and crisp that you feel like you can literally step into his pictures. If you’d like to see some of his amazing shots – follow him on social media and see for yourself!
Tom Borges
Okay, where do I start? Tom can be an intimidating guy at first impression. He just radiates this confident and too cool for anyone persona. But when you finally talk to him you realize that he’s the most down to earth person on the planet. He’s a photographer and the owner of @paintedponyvintage, which is an online vintage Etsy shop. He definitely has a keen eye for all things old-fashion. When you really get to meet him, you realize he is the vintage KING. Again, this man is so talented and his body is literally a work of art. His tattoos are amazing and only goes to show that he owns who he is. I am yet to convince him to go on a road trip with me so his cool personality can rub off on me. Now go stalk him!
Madeline Sideras
Two words. COOL. GIRL. I had never seen anyone pull off oversized men jeans as effortlessly as she does. Madeline is not only really sweet but has such an easy-going and fun personality. I truly hope we get to hang out once again because I definitely need more people like her in my life. She’s a model and let me tell ya that she is absolutely killing it! Plus – she has the most beautiful platinum blonde bob. How much cooler can she get?! If you are in need of modeling inspiration, Mad is your girl. She’s the best and I can’t wait to see her on the cover of a magazine.
Max Joubert
Max is one of those people that are constantly in vacation mode. Even when he’s working he’s having the time of his life and that’s really inspiring. Max if you read this please show me your ways. Not only is Max a model but he also gives surfing lessons, which explains his perfect tan. I’m as pale as a vampire so how can I not acknowledge his golden skin. Although I didn’t get to talk to him until the end of the day when we were all eating at In-n-Out, he still left me with a great impression. I mean we took pictures together, but we literally had to dodge cars every other minute so there wasn’t much time to talk. He has an adventurous heart and I’m truly looking forward to meeting up with him once again. Check out his Instagram for some serious beach vibes!
Brooke Sanny
This lovely lady has some serious potential to be a model for Vogue because she knows her angles and definitely knows how to use them to her advantage. She’s confident, authentic and radiates positivity. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to get acquainted very well, but I have a feeling we’ll have a lot more opportunities in the future. But I do have to say that Brooke will without a doubt be doing big things very soon. I can feel it! She has an extremely diverse portfolio and she’s just getting started. Check out her account and witness her effortless model moves. Love her!
Brandon Deem
I had never met someone with as much energy as Brandon. If you ever get lucky enough to meet him, you’ll know what I’m talking about. He’s an inspiring person that views life in such a beautiful way. And YES I am calling his mind beautiful. Not only does he have a great sense of style, but he’s just one of those people that you want to be friends with. On top of that, he’s a great model. I feel like Brandon is the person I got to know the best out of the entire group of newcomers. I rarely ever shoot with others, but I have to say that he made it so easy. He’s dedicated, loves modeling and makes it hard for people to keep a straight face around him. If you want to follow someone with amazing pictures and even better captions, he’s your guy!
Kory Luke
The last one of the gang is Kory. He’s a model, photographer and is currently pursuing a career as an actor. And a coffee connoisseur which I’ve learned over time and I’m all for it! He speaks my caffeine language. Kory is the type of guy that would definitely play the supporting role as the “heartthrob” in the next big romantic comedy and steal the show. He’s charming and he’s devoted to his craft. He literally wore a turtleneck at the desert for the perfect shot! When I first met him he looked so well put together, which he is, but he’s also determined and bold. Kory If you are reading this please teach me how to skateboard and take me to one of the billion coffee shops you go to! You know where to reach me. Now go follow Kory before he blows ups and forgets us all!
I know I know, this is a really long post but how can I not feature each and every one of these amazing individuals. The moral of the story is that you never truly know who you will meet or the adventures you will encounter until you give yourself the chance. Life is full of opportunities, but sometimes we just have to stop overthinking and take a chance. Do whatever it is that fuels you. Get outside your comfort zone and make room for fun!
The Perfect Ending
Even though the entire trip was rushed and we barely had any time to shoot, it’s safe to say we all had a blast. Besides, these pictures are stunning right? The power of California’s golden hour! Overall, I’m extremely grateful for having had the opportunity to visit Joshua Tree with a group of people that inspired me to get back into my creative endeavors. Thank you, my friends. I can’t wait to see you all again.
As for my lovely readers, I hope you gain something from today’s post. If you are a struggling artist know that you are not alone. Although it sounds like we all have it figured out, most of us are simply trying to survive, find what truly makes us happy and make decent money. But let’s face it, we still need to make time for last-minute adventures!
If you’re ever in need of a pep talk to get you back into your creative groove or simply need motivation, you can always reach me via Instagram or leave me a comment down below. Thanks for reading & make sure to follow all the other Joshua Tree Runaways featured on this post!
xoxo, Paola Fog