Starting the Year with Kristy Jessica

New Year, New Project. Kristy Jessica came to town after having to cancel a previously planned visit due to a personal issue. I had been working on a new concept and planned to use her for the first version. I needed a bigger space to make the concept work, so I used Floofie's studio. That allowed me to get the model further from the backdrop to render it black, and to use large studio strobes on either side of the model for more dramatic lighting. Petite Kristy would have no trouble with compact poses, but I definitely needed room for the strobes. 

This was my 4th shoot with Kristy. It had been four and a half years since our last shoot, so I was delighted with the chance to shoot with her again. Fortunately, she crashed at Floofie's place during her visit, so the logistics for the shoot were simple––show up, set up, shoot. 

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed shooting Kristy. She had fun with all the outfits and the fake guns I brought for props. The lighting worked as I intended and after a few adjustments, we had a productive and fun shoot. 

 Kristy had a full schedule for her visit, so as soon as we wrapped up, she left to prep for her next shoot. I haven't done much with the images so far, I've added a couple to illustrate the shoot's concept.

Xmas Pinups for the End of the Year Wrap

 I wrapped up the photographic year with a couple of Xmas pinup shoots featuring Floofie and Arya. Floofie and I had shot our first Xmas Pinup shoot way back in 2011 and we needed an update. Arya had also expressed interest in shooting the Xmas pinup theme and although I had offered the other spot to Jade, she failed to get back to me, so Arya got the spot. 

I'm not going to write a lot about the shoots, I'm simply going to let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

First Shoot with Arya

Arya in Knit

 I had my first shoot with Arya yesterday. I've not had any shoots for the last three weeks, and I'll soon be wrapping up for the year and starting my seasonal editing. I mean, when it's wet and cold outside, it's much better to be editing than during the warm, dry months when I'd prefer to be shooting.

Anyway, I had previously contacted the first week of August, but we weren't able to schedule anything until this past week. Since the weather has turned for the season, by necessity our shoot was in my home studio. 

Spangles and Skin

For our first shoot, I chose to go with my On Black project which requires a simply three light setup (key, fill, and rim) and a black, light absorbing backdrop. 

For this project, I use various types of jewelry and body chains. I like the contrast of textures––shiny metal and jewels against the skin made to really pop by the light. In most cases, I use also use a table or ottoman on which the model can pose. This requires the model to use compact poses, but one look at Arya and I knew that wouldn't work. 

Arya is a lovely girl with long legs and arms and a torso to match. Given her height and frame, even with compact poses, keeping all of her and the background in frame would be tough without using a short focal length. A wide angle lens distorts the face when used close to the model, so I chose instead to use standing poses. 

Punk Metal Masks

Arya brought an escort with her, primarily because she doesn't drive. He mainly kept to himself and browsed his phone while we shot. Arya posed well and we kept up a nice conversation as we worked. I enjoyed working with her and we definitely got some good shots. She was the first model to pose with my new cyber-punk metal masks and made them look good.