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.

Lucy from Australia via New Zealand

 

Lucy hails from Australia, but lives in New Zealand and travels widely. I was fortunate to shoot with her this year after her expedition with Exploregon, a semi-annual photographic excursion led by my friends Floofie and Jordan. Lucy had just finished the late summer expedition to the Oregon coast and had time to shoot with me before leaving for other areas on the West Coast. I had planned to join the coastal shoot, but my left knee simply wouldn't let me do the hiking required for the adventures planned. 

My knee, however, didn't give me any issues in the studio as long as I had a chair or stool that allowed me to occasionally sit. Floofie was kind enough to rent me her studio and I opted to shoot Lucy in a fine art style with various chain jewelry for ornament. 

I used a combination of window light from the double doors of the studio balanced with light from two Newwer LED panels. Near the end of the shoot, I changed the color temperature of the panels for a warmer effect. 

Lucy is a lovely and charismatic model. We listened to her music and chatted during the entire shoot and we achieved some lovely results from our session. I look forward to shooting with her again should she come back this way.