Minnesota editorial photography / 13 photos

Nicollete, Vincent and a Mustang at Lake Francis, Minnesota

Nicollete Gregor, her Mustang, her boyfriend Vincent and a June evening near Lake Francis. A post about why creative friends matter.

Model: Nicollete Gregor (@azuregazefox) / With Vincent / Shot on Fujifilm X-T4

Lake Francis, Minnesota

Find your people

Nicollete Gregor and I have been shooting together for years, and somewhere along the way she became a great friend and creative colleague. A couple of years ago she brought her Mustang and her boyfriend, Vincent, out near Lake Francis, Minnesota. These thirteen frames came from about thirty-five minutes of a June evening.

I can't overstate how much friends like that matter. Making work alone can get quiet and strange. Having someone who keeps showing up, year after year, changes what you're willing to try.

Nicollete Gregor and Vincent talking in the front seat of a classic dark teal Mustang near Lake Francis, Minnesota — Front SeatFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/55 s / ISO 320

Close view of Nicollete and Vincent facing each other across the Mustang's front seat, her hand at her neck — What Was SaidFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 320

Chrome steering wheel and dashboard of the Mustang glowing under red light — The WheelFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 640

Vincent and Nicollete kissing on a gravel lot in front of the Mustang, its driver's door open — Before the DriveFujifilm X-T4 / Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR / 18mm / f/3.5 / 1/50 s / ISO 320

Trust shows up in the frame

There isn't much room in a Mustang for a couple, a photographer and a red light. You can only get this close when nobody in the car is guarded. That's what friendship gives the work: nobody's performing for anybody, and a strange idea gets a yes before it gets a question.

Nicollete and Vincent close together inside the Mustang under red light, seen past the car's door — Red CabinFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2.5 / 1/25 s / ISO 320

Nicollete leaning back against Vincent inside the Mustang, her face lit red — Lean BackFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/25 s / ISO 320

Close view of Vincent looking away while Nicollete rests against him with her eyes closed, in deep red light — Red HourFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/15 s / ISO 320

Nicollete alone in the Mustang's back seat under red light, with green trees through the windows — Back SeatFujifilm X-T4 / Fringer/NF 8-16/4.5-5.6 / 11mm / f/5 / 1/15 s / ISO 3200

Keep making things together

The best part of a creative friend is that the shoot never really ends. You send each other ideas, you trade references, you start planning the next one before you've finished editing the last. Nicollete and I have more in the works, and I can't wait to show you.

Nicollete reclining across the Mustang's front seat in red light, burgundy heels resting out the window — Heels Out the WindowFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 500

Wide view of Nicollete stretched across the Mustang's seat with burgundy heels out the window — Feet UpFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 500

Nicollete leaning on the Mustang's hood above Vincent, who crouches in front of the lit headlights — Hood and HeadlightsFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/125 s / ISO 320

Vincent leaning against the back of the Mustang on a gravel lot at the edge of the woods near Lake Francis — Tail LightsFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 320

Go find yours

If you've been making work alone, find one person who'll say yes to your weird idea, and then keep calling them.

If you're a model or artist in Minnesota, Iowa or South Dakota, the model call is open, or you can get in touch about an idea of your own. I'd love to make something with you.

Vincent in the Mustang's driver's seat, arm on the door, looking back at the camera — Last LookFujifilm X-T4 / XF35mmF2 R WR / 35mm / f/2 / 1/50 s / ISO 800

Palette

Five colors pulled from these photos. Click one to copy it, then go make something.

Location

Lake Francis

Le Sueur County, MN

Open in Google Maps →

Next editorialVic's Gamer Girl Shoot →

Collaborate in Minnesota, Iowa or South Dakota

I make alt, editorial and fashion photographs with people in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and across Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. Models, makeup artists, stylists, designers and other creatives are welcome to reach out.

Read the model call → Contact Nox Velum →