Alina Popa within the desert

When I took the bodybuilding champ Alina Popa to the southwest desert for photos, her answer was, “Even though I've never been out here, it looks very familiar. Because I've seen this type of landscape in so many Hollywood films since I was a young girl. Especially the westerns. I almost expect Clint Eastwood to ride over the hill at any moment. "

Of course, there are spectacular landscapes in Alina's homeland, Romania. Again something that you see a lot in movies. And she once lived in Switzerland, and there are few places in the world with such spectacular mountains. But the southwestern American desert offers some amazingly exhilarating desert and mountain landscapes, including national parks and famous spots like Big Sur, Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

Muscular woman Alina Popa photoshoot in the desert in a black bikini Many of my models worry about water retention and don't want to drink on site. But I've had some that almost passed out, so I always insist that they stay hydrated. Bill Dobbins

There are also some great places a short drive from Los Angeles, and I took Alina the two of me for photo sessions. Fortunately, it wasn't super hot on either of the photo sessions (I was shooting outside when it was 113 ° F). This allowed us to work for longer periods of time without serious complaints.

Muscular woman and professional bodybuilder Alina Popa pose in front of a rocky landscape A lean and muscular build like that of the world champion Alina Popa fits in perfectly with this rugged desert landscape in the southwest. Bill Dobbins Bodybuilder for Wings of Strength Alina Popa models a silver metallic bikini Despite the western hat (not from Romania) this is definitely NOT the new school woman. Bill Dobbins Bodybuilder Alina Popa wears a bikini lying on a log in the dessert Pull up the tree stump and relax Bill Dobbins

As for most of the female bodybuilders I've photographed in the desert, the on-site shoot was no problem for Alina - neither the heat nor the hiking through rough terrain, avoiding prickly cacti or looking for snakes. We also had to get up at 5 a.m. to see the sunrise, but female bodybuilders are usually good at getting up early.

Muscular woman Alina Popa wears a bikini top This picture looks like the cover of a fantasy book like Conan the Barbarian. Iconic. Bill Dobbins Female bodybuilder and muscular woman pose in bikini for a photo shoot Alina Popa, crouched and ready to jump like a desert cougar. Bill Dobbins

I've had models petrified in front of snakes, but in several decades photographing in the desert, I've only seen a snake twice. But I had to use pliers to pull cactus spikes out of my leg. My usual practice is to go ahead and let the model go right behind me to keep her out of trouble. In bushy areas I go in first and I have a staff that I use to make sure there is nothing to worry about in the area.

I also climbed slippery, rocky slopes in a way that I shouldn't have done today, never could or even had one of my models made.

I often take photos where there are sand dunes, but where Alina and I were there weren't any. But there were many granite boulders, steep cliffs of red rocks, lonely areas that resemble lunar landscapes.

Alina Popa has since moved to Phoenix, AZ, where she works with Jake Wood as Vice President of European Operations and Athletes ‘Representative at Wings of Strength. So I'm sure she will get sick of all the desert terrain that she can hope for.

Professional bodybuilder Alina Popa does an arm lift with a dumbbell while looking in the mirror at the gym