Not Alone - A Conceptual Piece

I have had the itch to get back to conceptual work for some time.

Recently, Brooke Shaden (photographer) posted a challenge on her blog called White Wall Challenge - "It is about taking that blank and boring wall and making it work for us." The challenge pulled at me because I have always wanted to do a conceptual piece inspired by the short story, The Yellow Wallpaper.

I had always been afraid to do it, because I consider myself a natural light photographer - and I haven't done any conceptual pieces without natural light - and the image I had in mind for this had to be shot without natural light. But when I read Brooke's challenge post, I thought, why not? What have I got to lose?

When my youngest sister came for a visit this weekend, I told her she had to model for me. At least if it turns out terrible, I can have a good laugh with my sister about it. 

So I gave her lots of her favorite drink (Dr. Pepper) and convinced her to let me let me do her hair (although the complained via SnapChat the entire time - teenagers! :P), and I dressed her in my old prom dress.

And then I put her against a wall in my bedroom.

And while it wasn't a white wall (the walls in my house are all this beige color), it still was a plain old wall. I moved a giant lamp I have in my bedroom off to the side of her and shot for maybe 8 minutes.

Out of the shots I got I fell in love with two images: I liked her body in one, and her right arm and the shadow in the other. Original two images:

I loved the shadow of her hand in this one - like she was holding hands with something in the wall. 

But I preferred her face/body in this image. 

So, I mixed the two images, made the frame larger, blended/cloned and added texture (amongst a few other edits).

And below is the end product, which I have entitled, Not Alone. It's a rather simple image. But it speaks volumes to me. I think the thing I love most about it is how the shadow of her hand makes it seem as though she is holding hands with something in the wall, and she looks at peace - not scared.

The challenge wasn't so bad...I think the idea of shooting indoors scared me more than it should have. Thanks Brook Shaden for always challenging and inspiring us - and thanks Liv for modeling for me.
 : ]

P.S. I am doing some more new pieces this summer, and I have a few friends who are helping me out with that in August/September - which I am pretty stoked about [more on that coming soon]. 

Cover Reveal - Bloody Acquisitions by Drew Hayes

Okay - so this is just not another vampire book...I promise. This is the latest in the Fred the Vampire Accountant series: Bloody Acquisitions.

Haven't read the others? That's okay. Drew Hayes won't hold it against you - well, I can't speak for him - but I can speak for myself, and trust me, you want to read these novels.

Check out this COVER!

What is happening in this one?

With a thriving parahuman accounting practice, a steady relationship, and a circle of trusted friends, Fred’s undead life has become more enjoyable than his normal one ever was. Unfortunately, it also seems that he’s no longer the only vampire to appreciate the up-and-coming city of Winslow, Colorado. A new clan of vampires is moving in, and they aren’t well known for tolerating outsiders in their territory.

Now, Fred must cope with the growing presence—and threat—of other vampires even as he struggles to keep up with his business’s demands and make time for his friends. Between hidden parahuman towns, crazed vampire hunters, quarreling mages, and the world’s least subtle spy, it will take all of Fred’s wiles just to keep his head above water. And as the new clan sinks their fangs deeper and deeper into his city, the undead accountant is faced with a choice between two equally unappealing options: flee his home, or stand against an entire clan of fellow vampires.

Available for pre-order now!

Why should you read this book? Because its author is bloody talented [yeah I said it]. He is also a fellow Texan - so you know I have to spread the love.

Author Bio:

Drew Hayes is an aspiring author from Texas who has written several books and found the gumption to publish a few (so far). He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he’s not familiar with what the term “employable” means. Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you’re still reading, though.

Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He’s not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn’t love a good high-five? No one, that’s who.

Check out his website for some more humorous reads or follow on twitter.