I would never say I am a “photographer” for fear of offending real photographers. However, I do enjoy putting whore-ish makeup on my friends (preferably after we have been drinking) and photographing them in various outfits and places. Then over-photoshopping their photos. It is a fun way to let loose and get out of my creative routine.

Here is an early example of photoshoots with friends. We were celebrating a girls’ weekend at our friend’s family’s beach house in Longbeach, WA filled with wine, tarot cards, and windy beach walks. I remember I had just watched a retrospective on Judy Garland’s life and became really interested in vintage photographs of actresses. It was amazing how much the actress’ appearance could change in a time before photoshop.

Another time at my place we did a more hipster-inspired shoot. I mean, anything is better with antlers right? I live in a loft with old wood floors so I made them just lay down and used that as the backdrop. We used some of my jewelry and I tried to get a little jesus-y with the light. It also didn’t hurt that I had happened to buy peonies, which worked themselves into the shoot.

As you can see, my models/friends Angela and Heather usually come in a pair. Another time though, it was just Angela. Angela is an awesome model because she can really work her angles and isn’t afraid to take some risks. I call the one below a ’70’s porn star look.

On another shoot with Ange, I was really feeling a wood nymph photoshoot with magical beings frolicking in the forest. Ideally, she would be nude but with sunsetting we didn’t have time to get to a more secluded spot. It is definitely another theme I would like to further explore.

I have done impromptu photoshoots like these since I was young. My sister had a darkroom kit and we would do photoshoots and develop the photos together. It is something that I will always try to incorporate into my life.