Modern Vintage

That's what the background is called anyway. Although, this image just looks vintage!

Violin

I really wanted to create a Victorian still life inspired portrait. And this is the result. I like it a lot.

It was Nori's idea to shoot with the violin. I added the furniture from my house, the old light fixture from the studio's entryway that has been stuffed in a closet, fresh flowers, and that modern vintage backdrop from Westcott. Emily, Empress Mess, added the perfect outfit, and Dionne added the perfect hair.

I guess this is just another example of why it takes a team to make a good photograph.

Dulcimer
I set these two shoots up for two days in a row. That way I could use the set twice and create a series.  How often do you get a chance to shoot a dulcimer? I was excited when Rachel suggested it.

Thanks to Thomas for doing the makeup in this image. We had to wing it with the wardrobe, luckily I had some clothes in the studio and my studio mate, Rodney, had everything else!

Concepts

People look to me to come up with great concepts for their photos. Sometimes, I am very lucky and somebody comes to me with some great concepts that challenge me as an artist. This week, Chelsea did just that.

First, she wanted to do a young american rocker shot with a flag lit by christmas lights. Well, I'm a studio girl. I love my strobes. So I had to figure out how to make the strobe a part of this shot. And I did. It took one really low strobe and a incredibly slow shutter speed to make it work. Oh, and, not to mention, a very still model. The strobe had a softbox on it and I used the air vent to throw some light on the flag. Usually the light that comes out of those vents annoys me to no end, but this time it was useful. This shot is much darker than my usual style and I think that's why it appeals to me.

Second, she wanted to do an addiction shot. The makeup and hair was done by Lauren. All inspired by her; I gave her no direction. Chelsea had the outfit and addiction idea. She also had the idea to shoot in the broken mirror that she saw sitting in my studio (see, junk lying around everywhere has a purpose). So really, you could say all I did was light the shot and click the button. Since I usually come up with the concepts, it almost feels like I did nothing to deserve any credit for this shot. But I guess owning a camera, some lights and some junk does have its benefits.

It's hard to find somebody who brings you ideas that you can sink your teeth into. Often styles don't mesh and personalities/egos get in the way, but I have lucked out with Chelsea. She presents me with strong ideas and doesn't mind when I alter them to add my style to them. She takes a chance on me each time, and I like the way it works out in the end.

Chain Link Fence

You can't buy a small amount of chain link fence. You have to buy at least 50 feet. So I used about 10 feet for this shoot idea a month or so ago and I have 40 feet of fence left. I used some of it today in a shoot. If you look closely, you'll also see some window screen in the background. I bought about 50 feet of that about 5 years ago. It makes appearances all throughout my portfolio. I'm down to my last three pieces of that. It will probably take me 5 years to get rid of all that fencing, or possibly much longer because it's harder for me to work it into a set.

People laugh at me for storing all this junk, but it comes in handy.

Caught in the Act: Disposing of the Proof

I really like this shot, it's a great addition to the series. It wasn't exactly what I had envisioned, but I like it much better.

We started out on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. That's where I originally saw this shot taking place. When they built the new bridge, the put in a pedestrian path and I always imagined this picture on that path. But on our way back from that shoot, I noticed that the entrance to Jones Point Park had this dock in it which seemed more out of the way (more like a place you would go to dispose of the proof). The sun was setting and it made for nice dark image. And the bridge is still in the picture, just not as I imagined.

I guess the lesson here is to not hold on too tight to your vision, let it grow and change with the environment. Surprise yourself.

Beauty with a Little Bit of Ugly

Carrie, the model in this picture, asked me what I liked to shoot. I said, "beauty with a twist." But I don't think that really covered it. I think what I like is beauty with an element of something ugly, unusual and/or unexpected. The burlap as a beauty element is unexpected here; it adds a roughness that usually isn't associated with beauty yet it looks beautiful next to Carrie's pale white skin.

I love texture and I love materials that can add texture to my images. Here are some other beauty shots that add an element that might be considered ugly on their own. Next to a beautiful woman, the items become beautiful.

I have a hard time narrowing down my favorite prop, but the dryer vent ranks right up there! Other props include sweet gum seed pods, saran wrap, snorkel gear, popcorn, catfish, wheat, and honey. When I recently replaced my dishwasher I saved the copper piping to do a beauty shot with. I haven't figured out how to use it, but I will.