Last August, I had the pleasure of shooting over a beautiful summer morning with burlesque performers Bonnie Delight and Lola Lee. For almost 2 and a half hours, we worked through different poses and played off each other’s ideas. We were going for the very Victorian Gothic look in this shoot with touches of sexy. These shots are some of the color highlights. The ladies were very creative and melodramatic in their posing in keeping with the theme.





( Color Highlights (8 behind the cut) )

Last August, I had the pleasure of photographing burlesque performers Bonnie Delight and Lola Lee. For almost 2 and a half hours, we worked through different poses and played off each other’s ideas. We were going for the very gothic Victorian look in this shoot with touches of sexy. These are some of the most Victorian images as I retouched and edited them to black and white.




( Vintage (8 behind the cut) )

While visiting the bluegrass region of Kentucky this past July, I had the opportunity so do some impromptu test photos of a young lady in Lexington. She’s not a professional model, but certainly has the look to be one. These were done at an abandoned parking garage and a partially demolished bourbon distillery in town. No make up, no special lighting or reflectors, just natural beauty. Meet Irina.



( Natural beauty [8 behind the cut] )

As noted in so many places, I’m in a serious catch up mode on older photos. This set was put aside because of technical issues. Once I solved the focal distortion issue (creative filtering), I was able to work with these. Without a doubt, I wish I’d come up with the solution much sooner, as Mr. Bobbie Burlesque was a tremendous model.

Bobbie’s based out of the Los Angeles area and has performed and in produced many shows including the recent west coast Burlesque Tour. Here are highlights of the session.



( Bobbie Burlesque [14 Behind the cut] )
( Artist Shots [7 Behind the cut] )

Previously noted
I’ve been going through old files and photo sets trying to clear up some of the material that’s been overlooked or missed. In this case, I was personally invited to attend and photograph Molly’s visit to Hollywood and the signing party for her ode to Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art. Back in May, I made a copy of all the basic (unedited, resized or modified) pictures and passed the CD-r to Kat Bardot. As this point, I mistakenly coded the file that it was complete and planned to do the edits later. As is usually the case, life interceded and I completely forgot about the file and the amazingly fun evening. I’m making up for that now I hope..


Molly reading from her book, pausing to consider mischief

( bodacious and buxom beauties of bawdy behavior [13 Behind the cut] )

Contrary to some rumors, I’ve not stopped taking or working on performance photos. The truth is I’ve been so focused on either Bats Day preparation or my art show at the next Fright Night LA (Sept 14th) that I’ve been on an unofficial hiatus from the performance side. This performance was an exception.

Allikah is a co-worker of mine by day. Needless to say, when I found out she was also a performer and model; and she found out that I was a performance photographer, new dimensions in creativity opened up. These are highlights of her belly dancing at a local Greek restaurant called Mythos. Enjoy!



( Shimmy, shimmy, sway [10 behind the cut] )

I finally finished this set. It was difficult deciding which ones to use in the edits, because so many of them came out well. On top of that, Reneà is simply a joy to work with. Conveniently these photos are coming out prior to her starting a series of shows here and then taking to the road with Bobbie Burlesque, Victoria Vengeance, Jewel of Denial and La Cholita for a Burlesque Road Show. This is not to be missed. In the near term she’s performing Friday at the CIA in North Hollywood.



( Mischief Managed [18 behind the cut] )

After a long time away from posting these sessions, I thought it was time to get off my arse and put a few of these up. I haven’t heard back from Audrey about this set, but I genuinely had a hard time deciding which ones to post. I’ve never had 80% of the photos turn out so good they could be published immediately. It left me a bit confused as to which was the best of the best. Hopefully you’ll agree these are fairly good.



( oh to be pushing up daisies )

Here’s the last set of highlights from my shoot with Sister Bones at the CIA.



( Read more... )

Schedules and activities have kept me from editing and uploading more photos from this incredible shoot till recently. I’m happy to offer these images from our first and second set. This was shot on-site at the CIA.



( Some work questionable photos behind the cut [+9] )

We shot three amazing sets that day. Here are highlights from the "Fashionista" set.



( Read more... )

More modeling photos – Sister B

As soon as she approves, I’ll have more photos from my March shoot with madam_lily. In the mean time, might I introduce you to Sister B. We did a photo shoot in the familiar haunts of the CIA and I feel the results were pretty impressive.



( A taste of more to come (Questionable in some work environments) )

We shot three amazing sets that day. Here are highlights from the second and third set.



( Read more... )

Back to Burlesque

A bit of education first..

For the folks who don’t know, haven’t read or merely are too young to know the difference;
burlesque is by definition the art of satire and as well as the tease. The artists and performers in the old days would frequently work in current affairs and subjects of serious nature into their shows, merely to be able to poke a little (harmless) fun at them.

As Wikipedia clearly notes:
Put simply, burlesque means "imitation"—to satirize or parody. Burlesque is a style of live entertainment that encompasses pastiche, parody, and wit. The genre traditionally encompasses a variety of acts such as dancing girls, chanson singers, comedians, mime artists, and strip tease artistes, all satirical and with a saucy edge. The strip tease element of burlesque became subject to extensive local legislation, leading to a theatrical form that titillated without falling foul of censors.

Because of laws in the municipalities of the Los Angeles area, venues require special licenses to serve alcohol in the presence of nudity, so performers here wear coverings on all the potentially offensive parts (covered by law). Most local burlesque shows are therefore technically PG rated, but due to the presence of alcohol may be restricted to 18+ or 21+ depending on the venue

Jewel of Denial, Renea La Roux and Count Smokula


Josh Robert Thompson introducing Jewel of Denial performing her version of the “Immaculate Conception.”

( On with the show.. [22 behind the cut] )

Folks in the Los Angeles area, I need help. I have need for site for an indoor model shoot. My subject wants to do lingerie and possibly some tasteful semi-nude shots. As it's a “Trade For Product” (TFP) shoot (ie. unpaid) she and I have limited resources to rent a location. We’ve considered a hotel room, but most hotels have the cheesiest decorations. Does anyone have any offers, ideas or suggestions? It could be a house, a conference room, a warehouse.. anyplace out of the weather and public view but preferably in the Pasadena, Glendale, North LA area.

dirtnap13 – is the CIA a possibility?
mirdonamy – Are there any places in your area you’d recommend?

Anybody?

For folks who haven’t seen the info on it, Dr Sketchys’s Anti Art School is a modeling session held for sketch artists and photographers using alternative models, burlesque performers and side show marvels. The goal is to have creative art in non-traditional formats. Check out http://www.drsketchy.com/ for more info.




( Wow [14 behind the cut] )

Back in December, I was invited to attend my friend Jenn “Foo” B’s birthday celebration at a quaint little club in Hollywood. Have camera, will travel (for friends).

I’m going to repeat this statement from the previous post in case there’s ANY confusion over the nature, flavor or content of these photos or the ladies performing:

My biggest goal was to make the various entertainers (dancers) look good and feel the respect for the skills they were very obviously showing off. Frequently there were points where these beautiful women (many from the burlesque community) would pause in their routines for a moment, make eye contact and silently I would know that I should shoot. In other cases, it was a matter of trying to capture the wild and joyous energy of their fluid motion. No voyeurism, just the sheer pleasure of watching their grace and skills.

At no time did these ladies show an inch of their most tender flesh, nor degrade themselves in any way that could considered pandering. They simply looked and danced incredibly well.

Nina



( Picture time [17 behind the cut] )

Back in December, I was invited to attend my friend Jenn “Foo” B’s birthday celebration at a quaint little club in Hollywood. As the evening got rolling, this small club filled to the brim, have with regulars and half with party goers. All of the visitors were treated to entertainment provided by some very familiar and beautiful dancers as well as a live band. Overall, it was a great time.

BTW, Jenn has had the chance to review all these photos and was very complimentary. Given that I feel comfortable to offer them up here.


Jenn is the lovely lady in red on the right.

( Picture time [18 behind the cut] )

Lulu Lunaris can be found on MySpace. On to the photos!



( Lulu Lunaris – curves ahead (may be NSW) )