Photographer Monique Dao says this was truly a dream photo shoot. The client, Stephanie, found Dao on Instagram and reached out proposing a lifestyle shoot for her business website. “Stephanie and her husband had moved out of their home and into a truck/RV in order to live completely on the road with their two dogs and cat,” Dao recalls. “I love that you can feel the freedom of their boundless lifestyle.”

The only challenge for Dao was actually getting to the location, which was at the top of a mountain in Malibu, California, where cell service and GPS signals were sparse. Luckily, Stephanie and her husband arrived first and were able to find Dao before she got lost driving up the narrow road to the summit.

Once everyone was settled and relaxed, the shoot unfolded organically. “Being surrounded by this epic scenery definitely helped portray the carefree spirit of my client,” Dao says. “I thought, I can have them running through this little field, or embrace each other facing the ocean, or maybe even do a little Sound of the Music-inspired dance. Then, as if she read my mind, Stephanie suggested we get some piggyback ride shots and, with their well-trained pup jumping in on the fun, she climbed right on her hubby’s back and the rest was just magical.”

Check out more photos from this California lifestyle shoot on Dao’s blog.

(Captured with a Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L II lens.)

Photo © Monique Dao

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