Look Ma, No Gravity!

                                                         Model: Grace

Daily Inspiration 16> Unlocking the Truth.... These kids are Fucking Awesome

Happiness

Angel Eyes

"Those true eyes Too pure and too honest in aught to disguise The sweet soul shining through them"  -Owen Meredith

I first met Mary McCall about five years ago while delivering two mix media paintings that her dad had purchased from me. She couldn't have been any older then 9 or 10 at the time, yet she saw almost all those subtle nuances in the pieces I wanted most adults to see. Not only was she amazing smart, but she had to have had some of the biggest eyes I'd ever seen. I knew then that I wanted to photograph her. I just never thought it would take five years before I did so. Luckily for me that as much as she has grown into a beautiful young lady, she has yet to caught up with her eyes.

Portrait: Mary McCall Leland, June 6, 2013

VISUAL HAPPINESS> Henri-Georges Clouzot/ "L'enfer" (lighting effect) 1964

In a world that everyone with a camera thinks they're a professional photographer simply because they can apply a filter in Instagram, it nice to come across just good old fashion concept and lighting. I'm loving this right now!  



Demetrious 11:11

To Be Sexy or Not to Be? That is the Question.

I see myself as Sexy. If you are comfortable with it, it can be very classy and appealing.  -Aaliyah

The first time I showed my fashion portfolio to my family, I remember my mom and my grandmother hurrying up to close the book as if it was the filthiest pornography ever. It was kinda the way the guy in Barnes and Noble does when he's torn the plastic off a Hustler magazine and a an employee walks by and stares at him. Funny enough at the time there wasn't a single image in my portfolio that included nudity, with the exception of an topless photograph in which the model used her arms and hair to completely cover herself. It was from that simple response of my family that I knew I was officially in the bible belt; and in the bible belt your naked if you're showing to much of your ankles.

I few weeks ago I asked a very pretty 18 year ago Grace Mayo if she'd be interested in posing for a few images. The photographs wouldn't be anything revealing, just a few B&W images for a fine art series, and a few simple portraits for her time. The outfits she wore were nothing provocative, in fact 2 of the 3 outfits she's worn before in her facebook profile pics, so I really thought nothing of it. Imagine my surprise at the outrage of some of the women I showed the image to; and my confusion toward the responses at first thinking, "she looks good doesn't she?" I had shot much younger girls in much less with their parents sitting in the room, and not once did they say, I can't believe you shot her that way? Unless of coarse it was meant as a compliment. So why is it that this young adult is afraid to put this image up on her face book page? If anyone has an opinion I'd love to hear. But, then again this is the bible belt! Maybe God only knows!

Thanks for being a good sport Grace! Next time I'll have you ware a turtleneck! 

She Presented Her Feminine with Flowers.

A little over a year ago I had the opportunity of house setting a beautiful old home for my friend Carol Quigless. She was excited to be relocating to the mountains of Virginia and needed someone to watch over the place while she was in the processing of trying to sale. The house was build in the late 1800's and had since been somewhat modernize with the exception of one of the upstairs bedrooms. The room had the most amazing old flowered wall paper which most would consider old fashion, but it made the perfect back drop for taking a few portraits against. During my last few months in the house I began taking images of everyday women with the hopes of turning them into a portrait series. However, the series was cut short when I was informed of a young couples interest in the house. Here are a few of the images below. Enjoy.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Special thanks to: Kasey, Eleanor, Laura, Pat, Alice, Erin, Anna Vaughn, Sadie, Sarai, and Maureen. Your time and patients is greatly appreciated.

Tales of a Unknown Aviator takes flight!!!

Guess who was mentioned in the Huffington Post this week. That's right, I'm sort of a big deal! 
Check the out the link below to read the article with friend and collaborative partner Julian Hibbard.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/28/julian-hibbard_n_1533930.html