Recent photo shoot with alternative pin-up model

When I shoot with models…

I love to work with all sorts of looks. One of which, if you’re even a casual reader of this blog you probably know, is alternative models. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, that commonly includes women featuring body art and subculture styles.

Another really cool style is the classic pin up look that came out of support for U.S. troops during the wars and battles of the mid-20th century.

So, why not combine both for an amazing model photo session?

The photos below are from a recent shoot with the stunning Brittany Jordan. They were taken at my studio location in Pittsburgh and I hope you enjoy them.

This one makes use of a cool, classic vibe with the retro bar stool and the black and white coloration.

This one uses a spot color effect on her vibrant hair mixed with a classic pin up pose to have an almost Andy Warhol like quality.

Moving away from the pin up look for this one, it has sort of a sexy / naughty teacher theme if you will.

The spot color effect with a pose that accentuates the models chest makes for a fun, flirty photograph.

Last but not least, this one lends a little edge to the model’s look with the cigarette and the black fedora.

 

Harlem Shakes from around the globe

If you haven’t heard of the Harlem Shake, you soon will. It’s a craze that’s taking over the Internet as the latest viral dance sensation. For a lighter hearted post, I decided to include some samples below for you enternatinment.

Disclaimer – Not all videos may be suitable for younger viewers.

Video Contest – $100 cash prize!

The Alternative Modeling community at Twistedangels.net is seeking your videos to feature on our website! If you’re an aspiring film maker or just love to goof around with your video camera or cell phone, this contest could be for you.

We’ll accept videos from virtually any type of recording device including video-only cameras, still cameras that shoot video, cell phones, webcams and more, so long as the quality is reasonable.

All entries must be submitted by March 31, 2013. A winner will be announced on our Facebook and Twitter accounts by no later than April 8, 2012. And he or she will be have the option to be paid via Paypal or by mailed money order.

While the grand prize winner will take hone the cash, there will be one First Place winner who will get a HP Photo Printer with 4×6 photo paper and carrying case, a second place winner who will earn one year of free access to our website and a third place winner who will be able to select up to 5 hard copies of full-resolution 8×10 photos from our website featuring the model of your choice.*

See rules below:

Videos must be original content (you can use songs from any artist in them though) and cannot be published anywhere else on the Internet without our expressed written permission.

Videos should be centered around themes focused on goth, emo, or punk subcultures or body art and body modification.

Videos may not exceed 100 MB in file size, the smaller the better as that submitting larger files can be difficult.

In terms of subject matter, pretty much anything is acceptable from the silly and playful to the intense and sexy. ** If you aren’t sure, just ask.

There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit.

All people featured in the video must be at least 18 years of age.

To submit your video:

Upload your video to a private file sharing tool like Yousendit, Dropsend, Transferbigfiles or Google Drive (share the download like only with us).

Visit our “Contact Us” page at TA leaving any relevant information about your video (title, cast, location…) in the message box along with the other required information. You may leave the download link in the “Website” box, message area or send it to twistedangelsnet@gmail.com .

 *This prize applies specifically to models shot by our staff photographer, not those submitted by other artists.

 **Artistic nudity is acceptable but graphic pornography is not. And the videos cannot contain any illegal or discriminatory activity.

Deviant (A peom)

Considering Halloween is just around the corner, I decided to post on of my pieces from my second of two poetry books ”Shadows and Shade” that I think fits the theme fairly well. It also goes along with my photography interest in working with alternative models and the tattooed, pierced and Gothic style they often feature.

Enjoy!

Deviant

You’re a deviant

But that’s OK

Your tattoos and piercings

Drive me insane

—————————————-

You’re deeply twisted

But I don’t care

I love the purple and red streaks

In your savage black hair

——————————————–

You’re erratic

But it’s just fine

And your insidious nature

Leaves me wanting you for mine

Wall Calendar

It’s finally here!!!

As you may know by now, in my photography work I love the chance to work with alternative models. While that genre of modeling does cover a lot of area, I’m specifically referring to those who feature tattoos and piercings, vibrant colored hair and perhaps something of a goth, emo or punk style.

That being the case, a site I work with called Twisted Angels just published it’s 2013 wall calendar. I’m so excited by the results considering it’s the first time the site’s calendar has featured more than 13 photos. The count is actually 25, the cover, one main shot for each month and one small one too.

Anyway, if you’re so inclined to check out a preview, you can do so below.

Please keep in mind that some of these photos would fall into the NSFW category and you may not want them to be readily accessible by children. Nudity can be and often is artistic and beautiful but is also often hard to explain to your boss of an inquisitive young child.

Calendar preview form store standard version)

Video preview of deluxe version from the site itself

Summer photo shoot video

This video is a quick “behind the scenes” if you will of a photo shoot I did last month along with another fellow Pittsburgh photographer. I figured since Summer is now almost over, this might be a fun little think to post as we wish the season goodbye until next year.

Enjoy!

Beautiful dreadlocks

Creative Dreamers readers:

I’m sorry I’ve been a little absent of late in regard to posting new entries. I’ve been working on a project for another website I run and being a less than technical person by nature, it’s been a headache to say the least.

That being said, two of the alternative models featured on said site have recently taken to the dreadlocks hair style. With that in mind, I wanted to create a post with artistic dreadlocks as the theme.

Check out the pics below:

Creative ideas for model photo shoots

Creative model photography

OK, so sometimes I feel like my brain is like the pistons in a car – constantly moving except well I’m shut down and asleep (or the car is turned off). That being the case, I’ve always got some new ideas popping into my head about any number of things including ideas for shoots with models.

With that in mind, I’d like to offer a few of the ideas I’ve used in the past. Granted some aren’t all the original but that doesn’t mean that people might not have overlooked them. As for the ones that I haven’t actually followed through on yet, well for now those will remain a mystery.

Please know that all of these may be able to be modified for either sex but I generally work with female models and that’s why I make the following statements.

Ideas:

1. Cowgirl -

Pretty simple to do. Just some cowboy boots and a hat and some jeans and an appropriate shirt and you’re all set.

2. Silhouettes and bodyscapes -

It’s all about lighting and maximizing the form of the body itself.

3. The model as captive (cuffs, bindfolds…) -

No, nothing perverse here. That wouldn’t be very artistic. Just sort of a horror-inspired approach.

4. Halloween themes -

This one is relatively self explanatory and can be done in either an intense of cutesy sort of way.

5. Patriotic attire and props - 

Just think of the whole “Rosie the Riveter” image or anything in which you can incorporate a flag or your country’s colors.

6. Slumber party -

Combine this youthful concept with lingerie and BAM – instant art.

7. School girl -

Very cliche but it never seems to go out of fashion.

8. Gothic rocker schoolgirl -

A variation on the above with a little more edge. Great fit for alternative models.

9. Motorcycles -

Attractive women and motorcycles go together like peanut butter and jelly.

10. Office setting -

Again sort of an old concept but spicing up a boring setting like an office makes for a fun shoot.

11. Warehouse or industrial setting -

The gritty, rough atmosphere can work either as a contrast to a model’s look or to compliment it.

12. Ultra contrast -

One suck example would be a model wearing a wedding dress in a graffiti -covered slum alleyway.

13. Femme Fatale -

Tough girls with a hot look make for awesome photos.

14. Character shoot -

I once did a Lady Gaga themed shoot. This is also good for people who like cosplay and fictional characters.

Images of an alternative style

As you might know my now…

my of my photography work focuses on what you might call “goth pics.” Now while that can be a bit of an oversimplified take on the subject matter, it does hold some credibility.

When working with models, I tend to seek out those with various body modifications or just an alternative style like those who might consider themselves punk, emo or yes, even goth.

I think part of my reason for doing so it the unique factor models working in this genre seem to posses. So, I decided to include a few images that I have captured over tha last few years for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy!

My personal photo book

Once in a while I like to experiment, specially when I have aopportunity to do so at no cost.  Such was the case with a recent photo book promotion. I had the chance to make an 8×8 hardcover book and pretty much customize it to my specifications.  That being said, I did so today. It is 100% black and white or spot color in nature and I think it might just have turned out pretty nice. Feel free to check it out at the link below:

“Attirance”