The Day the Light Disappeared: Himalayan Fashion Adventure Photography in Mustang, Nepal

In the high altitude Himalayas, the climate can shift in minutes. We could have packed up, but instead, we decided to make the changing weather part of the story. Out came the Profoto strobes.

In the high-altitude Himalayas, the climate can shift in minutes. We could have packed up, but instead, we decided to make the changing weather part of the story. Out came the Profoto strobes.

Some mornings, you think you have the day all figured out. The location is perfect, the wardrobe is ready, the crew is in sync, and the light is about to pour in exactly where you want it. That was the plan in Mustang, Nepal, during the first shoot of the day for a Himalayan Fashion Adventure campaign. It was a perfect opportunity for luxury fashion photography in Nepal and professional fashion campaign photography in Nepal.

We were aiming for that golden light streaming from behind the majestic Himalayas. At 6:38 AM, it looked promising. At 6:42 AM, the clouds began to creep in. By 6:45 AM, the sun had completely vanished behind a wall of mist and fast moving weather. For a high altitude outdoor photography Nepal shoot like this, every second counts.

Out came the Profoto strobes. One Profoto B1 with a Profoto Deep Umbrella Silver became our key light, giving the model a soft yet crisp look. I asked her to lean into the mood of the moment, acting gloomy and pensive to match the drama above us. A Profoto B10 Plus, bare bulb and placed far behind the model, created a natural rim light that mimicked the sun that had just disappeared. Using these tools, we maintained cinematic lighting for brand and fashion campaign photography in Nepal, perfectly suited for Himalayan fashion editorial photography.

The Fujifilm GFX 100 delivered immaculate files with every click, capturing texture and tone with unmatched fidelity. The Profoto lighting worked flawlessly in the thin mountain air. The models embraced the mood, the crew adapted without missing a beat, and we ended up with award worthy shots that looked like they belonged in a cinematic fashion spread or mountain landscape fashion photography. For Nepal fashion photographers and behind the scenes photographers, this day was a perfect example of preparation meeting adaptability.

By midday, the snow peaks started playing hide and seek again. Every shift in the clouds gave us new possibilities, and we chased them all. The light had disappeared, but the magic stayed. Location shooting Nepal photography, combined with aerial and drone photography, captured every angle of the high altitude fashion campaign.

Explore more from this shoot and others at Himalayan Fashion Adventure’s official site and see how commercial fashion photography in Nepal, international fashion photography in the Himalayas, and luxury travel portrait photography come to life in extreme conditions.

Gautam Dhimal

Gautam Dhimal is a visual storyteller, producer, line producer, and assistant director with extensive experience across international film, commercial, and documentary productions. He is also a professional photographer specializing in fashion campaigns, advertising projects, editorial and lifestyle photography, aerial photography, and nature and wildlife photography. Gautam has collaborated with global studios such as BBC One, FOX, and Disney, and worked with brands including Red Bull, Coca Cola, Panasonic, Vicks, Nippon Paint, Samsonite, and Kellogg’s.

Renowned for his aerial photography expertise, Gautam operates drones, helicopter mounted cameras, and open door helicopter platforms for challenging shoots in the Himalayas, urban landscapes, and remote locations worldwide. He has executed high end productions in destinations including Dubai, the UAE, Thailand, and South Africa, and his work on Himalayan Fashion Adventure campaigns has set new standards for high altitude fashion photography. He is also an International Photography Awards (IPA) recognized photographer, reflecting global acknowledgment of his creativity and visual storytelling.

When not on set or in the studio, he explores wildlife, landscapes, and remote regions across Nepal and beyond, documenting animals, plants, and fragile ecosystems while blending ground based and aerial storytelling. Gautam’s work combines creativity, technical excellence, and a deep respect for people and the environment, making him a trusted partner for international film, fashion, advertising, and conservation photography projects.

Explore more at www.GautamDhimal.com

https://www.GautamDhimal.com
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Hanging Out of a Helicopter for the Perfect Shot

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The Frame Before the Shot