For most of my work, I like to photograph real people. The Glamper was a different way of working; I made it all up and worked with a production crew to see it materialize. The idea came from the portmanteau: GLAMPER. Glamorous camping didn't make any sense to me. Camping is not glamorous, no matter how high the thread count and how silly the word is.
It was fun creating playful scenarios in the correct translation of the word. I love looking at vintage books as a source of ideas and inspiration; a book I found dated 1955, "The Camper's Bible," provided much of it. In my mind, the glamper is a superhero that isn't out to save the world; instead, she intends to stay glamorous, at any cost, in nature.
I found a model through an Instagram search. Having never worked with a wardrobe person in Minneapolis, I also discovered my stylist on Instagram. Ann and I collaborated on the project, and she created brilliant looks working mainly from her vintage collection. Having an excellent makeup artist was also crucial. It was at least 100 degrees that day, so we had to work quickly. The location, just outside the Twin Cities, was an ideal spot I found through Hipcamp.
Producing, photographing, and collaborating on the project was fun because it was fantastic having the freedom to make everything up and see it materialize.