My little side projects are on the back of my to-do lists, the photo sessions that don’t pay but I enjoy. One of them is the gaslight project I started when COVID hit. A model, a gas mask, and a studio filled with smoke. I have done half a dozen, each with its own personality – taken from the collaboration with the model. Last night Chelsee joined me, she brought dead roses as a surprise, and I have never been happier to get flowers. The perfect prop for the theme. Want to take part? I am still looking for new collaborators. Flowers optional. Click here to see other posts or here to contact me.

The Rolling Stones have been in my head since the session.

Take me down little Susie, take me down
I know you think you’re the queen of the underground
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
Send me dead flowers by the mail
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
And I won’t forget to put roses on your grave.

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The third contribution to my ode to 2020, my Gas Lighting Series. This time: The Bride. In a year where weddings changed, moved, downsized, and in some cases disappeared, it seemed fitting that a Bride be part of the Gas Lighting Series. Now, not just any bride, my last scheduled bride of 2020 from two days before. This is Sam; on Saturday (Sunday’s dailypic) she looked gorgeous as she married Tim. Check out some of their photos if you want here. A quick text the next day after an epiphany while I was driving, and she agreed to bring the dress and bouquet out for another session, this time at my studio in the midst of some fog machine work. Minutes later she was part of the project. Still looking for models for this series. The others have been more risque, but they seem to take on their own personality. You can see more about the project here. Thank you to Sam for your willingness to take the direction of this project needed, I added another photo from Saturday to show how the beautiful the dress and bride really were.

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Some photo projects I take for clients, some I take for me, I have started a new one and this one is for the year. My ode to 2020, my Gas Lighting Series.

My vintage WWII Gas Mask that has been kicking around my studio for years looking for a reason to get in front of the camera, my ability to sculpt with light (one of my favorite things to do), a fog machine and (so far only a couple of) patient yet brave subjects.

The idea has been in the plans since March, a closed studio and social distancing made it feel like I had to wait a bit. I have a few more interested women I have been talking to, now that things are relaxing somewhat (though the sessions are still COVID responsible) I hope to ramp this series up. I am not sure what will happen with it, so far it just has been a fun distraction while paying respect to the time we are living in. Collaborating with my subjects they have gotten a bit more risque – talking PG13ish – than my toy photos, but I believe they are artistic and the goal is to show strength, grit, softness and 2020.

Here are two from a session I did last night, I would love to get to at least 20, since it is a magical number now, though recruiting is not my style. If you or maybe you know someone you know, would like to know more info on this , drop me a note. The session is no cost and like I said a pure collaboration. You can reach me here, just put Gas Mask in the message somewhere. Stay safe.

CONTACT NOTE: I found out the original contact was not working the first night this was posted. If by chance you reached out and did not hear back, feel free to use the link to send a second message, it is fixed now.

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