Since the election, I've been trying to distract myself by consolidating my images, optimizing my image libraries, and creating more efficient workflows for my editing. I've also been transferring DV tapes to my hard drives so I can begin sharing videos of some of my previous shoots. That will be an ongoing project for several more weeks.

The best distraction and most therapeutic for my mental health was a photo shoot with my long-time friend and model, Floofie. It was a simple shoot—a plain seamless black backdrop, a posing cube covered in black fabric, and a simple three-light set-up. There were no elaborate costumes, just some chain and crystal jewelry.

When Floofie and I shoot (this was our 51st session), we spend much of that time in conversation. We've been working together for fourteen years so we know a great deal about each other's families, and have several mutual friends. Our shoots are as much a chance to catch up as they are a chance to make new images. I joked with her that today's shoot was an "art therapy" session for me as I felt much better after our shoot. We are aligned politically and philosophically for the most part, so we share mutual concerns post-election. Sharing our thoughts lowered the angst a bit for both of us.

Art is therapy. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

Erotic Boudoir with Selene

Before the pandemic, Selene and I shot together regularly. The shutdown broke our ten-year streak of multiple shoots per year. We stayed in touch during the pandemic, but when I eased back into shooting in 2021, Selene had decided to pull back from modeling. She had startd a new job and wanted to focus on other activities.

Recently, though, I convinced her to join me for a final shoot and I chose a boudoir theme. I had originally asked her to pose for a bikini shoot out on the island, but ironically, a bout of COVID-19 delayed our shoot until the weather cooled too much for an outdoor shoot. 

I chose a studio downtown that I had used before with another model, Jade. I loved the quality of light from the large windows and the variety of props and backgrounds in the room. This allowed us to shoot each outfit with several different setups. The large windows meant that I needed very little supplemental light, just the bare minimum from a flash to put a catch light in Selene's eyes.

Despite not having modeled for the previous five years, Selene fell back into her poses like a professional. It was great having her back in front of my camera for a final shoot.  I've always enjoyed shooting with Selene and this day was no different. We got a chance to catch up while shooting and I always enjoy that part of the photographic process.

We shot for three hours with only a short break and then the light started to dim. It was already an overcast day, and this time of year the days are already short. It was a productive final shoot and I'm glad we got to do a planned final shoot and I'm sorry to see Selene give up modeling. 

Autumn Glamour

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