The brief for the contract was to find and cast models and create a very vintage 1950s science fiction B-Movie appeal.  I had some great contracts from my model work in the past and immediately hired LouLou D’vil, a burlesque dancer who recently finished second in the World Burlesque competition. She was perfect for the story’s psychic plant seductress from another planet.  The rest of the actors fell into place quickly and we found ourselves doing a full day shoot at the Ajaton Joki studio.  Then I raided my costume closet for capes, necklaces, vintage dresses, pearls, cheap crowns, etc. and together with amazing work by the client’s art team, we had ourselves a session ready to go!

12 hours later, gigs of video and promo shots taken, and one messy studio produced some great footage ready for the vintaging.  My client took the raw videos and put together some great (and cute!) cut scenes and intro videos for the game.  This was easily the most fun I’ve ever had producing commercial work – certainly the most fun working at my studio!

Some Promo shots for the game release:

Of course, variety is always the aim for me – how can I take the same model, same location, same make up and clothing and make each image distinct, different, and yet interesting in its own right.  It’s a challenge – one I hope I rose to in this particular session!

The owner of the Arabian horse stud farm had a gorgeous English riding habit that I simply could not wait to photograph in the later hours of the Australian Winter afternoon.  As well, model Charni rose to the occasion as well and created moving portraits of girl and horse.

Simone, the owner of the ranch and her special horses.

And Charni’s images

St Louis, Missouri received quite a few grants during this period from the New Deal initiatives.  Of course, not all the products of that time would end up surviving to the fin de siècle; certainly many were important for employment only during those tough years and not needed as America found its prosperity again.

The location for this shoot was what remained of one of those programs.  Situated along the Missouri River, not far from the starting point of the Louis and Clark Expedition, the site had several fascinating ruins that, although not terribly old, still retained quite a bit of character.  The architecture’s original purposes may have become obsolete but they still remain an important and preserved part of US history.

The raison of the shoot was to create glamour shots for a personal fitness trainer to celebrate her triumph over life’s hardships.  Jelena grew up in war but eventually found peace when she was able to emigrate to America from Europe.   It was fitting that her spirit echoed those of the original builders of the ruins – that even in times of diversity, determination and strength can create beauty.

Jelena may not be a model but there is no doubt she is every inch a beauty.

Here, model Heidi Moijanen is wearing a 60 year old Japanese wedding kimono (shiromoku) at a stretch of beach outside of Helsinki.  Hair and makeup was done by Cemille Nismetdin and I was fortunate to have a great assistant in the form of Richard Hernigle.  And he had his hands full not only keeping the lighting rig from blowing away a la Mary Poppins but also keeping the wind-damaged umbrella open enough to spread light onto Heidi.

And Heidi was amazing – modeling to perfection despite gale force winds and a frigid -10c along the sea.  She’s also standing nearly knee deep in heavy snow yet still manages to look elegant.

Oftimes shooting in Winter can be a bit more difficult; but the beautiful soft feel of blues and whites truly make for extraordinary imagery.

We had equipment that refused to work, very heavily dappled midday sun, and a cat who was more attached to the photographer than the models (warning: don’t get on your knees for a low shot or you found that cat on your shoulders!).  To say the shoot was a challenge would be an understatement.  But you can’t call yourself a professional if you can’t compensate quickly an instantly for whatever a location will throw at you – and every location wants to throw curves.

Although we were going to work mostly with strobes, I couldn’t resist some backlighting in all that glorious noon Winter sun.  And then some glamor shots later rounded up this fantastic shoot!

Some different processing:

And a little bit of 1950s Technicolor to finish the session

More information on Design Aglow Issue 11 on their blog.