Motel California: Tafv Sampson’s Visual Journal

“Up until this point I had only shot documentary style, this was my first try at a photo shoot using a model and a created environment.” – Tafv Sampson

“I had a character in mind who I wanted to explore, so we moved out all the furniture in our apartment and set up different ‘“rooms” as if it were a motel room.” – Tafv Sampson

“The concept and set design was roughly based off of a book called ‘All About Love.’” – Tafv Sampson

“The concept and set design was roughly based off of a book called ‘All About Love.’” – Tafv Sampson

“Golden light in the rain while driving to Marfa, Texas. Need I say more? This was the second year of our annual road trip.” – Tafv Sampson

“I’m still new to the idea of having a team of people collaborating on a shoot, but for this project, we had an amazing makeup artist who truly made the shot by suggesting we paint the pubic hair. Nouel Riel is holding ‘Vetements’ shoes.” – Tafv Sampson

“Year one of our road trip, driving to Yellowstone.” – Tafv Sampson

“These siblings were at Standing Rock, despite the tough reasons for us being there, they were just kids playing and dancing; it was such a refreshing moment.” – Tafv Sampson

“This is from the series I shot in my living room called ‘Girls in My House.’” – Tafv Sampson

“’Girls in My House’ started as a photo exercise for me but quickly became a much bigger series than I had ever planned. I met a lot of amazing women through this project.” – Tafv Sampson

“Liv Harlan from the series ‘Girls in My House.’” – Tafv Sampson

“Lola McDonnell from the series ‘Girls in My House.’” – Tafv Sampson

“Lola McDonnell from the series ‘Girls in My House.’” – Tafv Sampson

“This is my best friend Nouel, she looked at this photo and said it’s the most powerful she’s ever felt.” – Tafv Sampson

“Nouel Riel, she’s like my sister, I have been shooting her since I was 19. This was a collaborative project with our other best friend Robin Hilleary who is starting a floral company, we decided to do a Polaroid series.” – Tafv Sampson

“Nouel Riel wearing Balenciaga styled by Taylor McNeill and makeup by Christine Cherbonnier.” – Tafv Sampson

“Part of the floral Polaroid series.” – Tafv Sampson

“This is Remy Bennett, the co-director of ‘Under Her Skin,’ one of the most amazing women I’ve met and an amazing subject to shoot.” – Tafv Sampson         

“This is Robin Hilleary, my best friend since High School, I’ve been shooting her since we were teens. Her ease in front of the camera and our comfort with each other makes taking her photo effortless. In this image she is sitting in my bathtub and pulling one of my hairs off of her knee.” – Tafv Sampson