Ina, a Lakota girl was posing for me during a recent photo production in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Ina and her mom, Junal Gerlach, will be our featured models during our one week photo workshop in South Dakotas Indian Country next July. I have been documenting Native Americans for more than 25 years now. This girl turned out to be the best model I ever photographed there.
We used my friend Charly Juchler’s property where he hosts people from all over the world during his Indian cultural tours with Chante Etan Production. From his land you can see Mount Rushmore and Harney peak in the distance. For this image I put Ina against the setting sun, producing a nice back light for her. My assistant held a gold reflector that bounced back the sunlight into her pretty face. The red autumn leaves light up nicely due to the backlight. Then I just had to push the trigger.
We will hold a simple portrait photography class in Sisters on October the 8th with myself and photographer Robert Agli.
See more of Christian Heeb’s work here.
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2011.
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Ina is really surprised and excited…you have given her a gift of hope for her future dreams. We her family are delighted with your professional work and calm peacefull atmospher!
Respectfully,
Junal Gerlach
I Thank you all!!!! I am very greatful to be friends with Junal!!! Ture Blessings being friends with so many great people. U hope the world will learn of there ways and there love. To help protect what we can still save. To try to right wrongs done. I feel the children are importian enough to make sure of this. So please seek truth & help. Much love many hopes.