Bre’s First LA Photoshoot: Malibu - Bold and Beautiful

Instagram @bre.leblanc1

This series is still one of my all-time favorites, captured a few years back when Breanna had just moved to Los Angeles. Everything was new for her—fresh surroundings, new energy—which made exploring and creating feel effortless and exciting.

We shot this in Malibu on a calm, low-pressure day. It was more of a relaxed adventure than a structured shoot, and that vibe shows through in the images. Breanna chose an outfit that worked beautifully with the natural tones of the location—organic, textural, and flowing. While part of me had envisioned a more arid backdrop, maybe paired with boots and a cowboy hat, I have no regrets. The final outcome stands strong.

What I love most about this set is how the lines, curves, and textures interact so naturally. There’s a harmony in the way the environment and styling wrap around the subject. It’s a reminder that photos, when done right, are timeless. Despite being a few years old, these still feel current—proof that good light, mood, and presence never go out of style.



Camera Setup

  • Body: Canon 6D

  • Lenses: Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8

  • Filter: Hoya NDX8 ND Filter

Breanna was perfect on set—professional, poised, and incredibly intuitive with posing. She would lock into a pose, and I’d focus on refining angles and framing. It was a seamless collaboration.

The lighting conditions were a bit unpredictable. Clouds rolled in and out, which made it tough to maintain consistent exposure—especially since I shoot fully manual. The midday sun brought heavy contrast, and it was almost blinding trying to monitor the LCD during shooting.

Instead of exposing for the highlights, I chose to expose for the shadows. While it’s common to prioritize highlights in natural light portrait photography, exposing for shadows can retain depth in skin tones and preserve detail when working without a fill flash. It’s a trade-off—not every highlight survives—but it creates a rich, moody visual tone that I often prefer when conditions are bright and contrast-heavy.

This technique isn’t always textbook, but it’s highly effective when you want to maintain natural depth without relying on artificial light.

Pedro Rodriguez