Editorial: For SVPN
Ballet on Water
When first asked to photograph Isabella Boylston, a world-class principal ballerina based in NYC, three goals immediately came to mind: do something unique, juxtapose ballet in New York City with Nature in Idaho, and make Isabella stand on water. After shooting the August SVPN Magazine cover of Isabella in a red dress against the Boulder Mountains at sunset, we woke at 4am the next morning to photograph sunrise over Pettit Lake. It was a risky endeavor…I had thousands of dollars’ worth of lighting gear in the middle of a lake, and even the slightest breath of wind would have killed the shot. Worse yet, what if Isabella got hurt, right before the unprecedented ballet festival that she brought to Sun Valley Aug 22-24?! Fortunately, the weather gods delivered a windless morning, and neither a light nor a dancer took the plunge. Instead, Isabella braved the cold and gracefully brought the vision to life on the water’s surface.
Isabella BoylstonOn WaterAthleteBalletBallet in NatureBellaEnvironmental PortraitFearless PhotographyIdahoJuly 2017LakeMountainsPettit LakeReflectionSVPNSawtooth MountainsStanley BasinSteve Dondero PhotographySummerWater
SVPN July 2017 Cover Image
Another fun and challenging cover for SVPN's July 2017 Issue
"Water Into Wine" SVPN July 2017 Cover Image (Without Masthead)
When SVPN Magazine asked me for wine-related ideas for their July cover, I pitched them a vision for an elegant underwater scene. Our town has been wading through a 100-year flood for many hard weeks, so I envisioned something upbeat, but that could pay homage to the flood victims and be dedicated to our incredible community that rallied together to support them. This photo—“Water into Wine”—is the result, and can now be seen on newsstands around Sun Valley, Idaho. Between the challenges of photographing underwater and the many long hours in Photoshop to make it match the vision, it is probably the toughest single image I have ever attempted. I hope you enjoy!
Blaine CountyCommercialCover ShotEditorialElegantIdahoJune 2017KetchumPoolSVPNSteve Dondero PhotographyStylizedSummerSun ValleyUnderwaterWaterWineWood River ValleyZenergyWater Into Wine
SVPN September 2016 Cover Image
Always exciting to land a cover shot, in this case, the image for SVPN's September 2016 "Art Issue."
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SVPN September 2016 Cover Image (Without Masthead)
I had way too much fun shooting this image for the September cover of SVPN's “Art” issue. To light the water, we stuffed remotely-triggered flashes into dry bags & strapped them to the underside of the paddleboard. We then leveraged the early light of the moon to bring the landscape & Bald Mountain to life. Jonny Fuego was a ninja at standing still on the board for the long exposure, despite the wind & numb feet. I had the warmer duty of shooting from atop an ant hill & fending off sprinklers & a pair of curious raccoons bent on climbing my tripod. On the actual cover image, you’ll notice we ran with the green water that naturally occurred when it was lit, since it helped pop the magazine. Compositionally, though, I personally prefer a more subdued blue for the water when viewing as a standalone image. I hope you enjoy the result!
Bald MountainBaldyBlaine CountyEnvironmental PortraitIdahoJohnny FuegoJuly 2016KetchumNightOutdoorPondStand Up PaddleboardStarsSummerSun ValleySun Valley Golf CourseSUPSVPNWaterWood River ValleySVPN September 2016 Cover Image
SVPN October/November/December 2016 Cover Image
First Snow
Something magical happens when seasons collide. Fall changes to winter in Sun Valley, Idaho.
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From Idaho Landscapes
SVPN July 2016 Cover Image
Always exciting to land a cover shot, in this case, the image for SVPN's July 2016 issue.
SVPN July 2016 Cover Image (Without Masthead)
Here is a version of SVPN's July 2016 cover image without the text and masthead. I stood on a ladder for over 3 hours, with my tripod precariously balancing on a makeshift platform over a pond, but worth it in the end for the evening’s epic light show.
SVPNCoverGarden TourBlaine CountyDockFlanigan HouseGardenJune 2016KetchumNorth ValleyOutdoorPondSBG Garden TourSawtooth Botanical Garden Garden TourSummerSun ValleyWaterWood River ValleyYard
