Christmas Illusion

Queens Series

This past year I have been working with Cassandra Church (model) and Palace Costume (wardrobe & jewelry) on these images loosely based on the theme of Queens, from around the world. These are the final images after retouching. They will are part of a 2013 Calendar that is being printed even as we speak. It's been a really great collaboration. I love that Cassandra is so different in each and every shot. A true testament to her own hair and make up skills, to transform herself, but even more to her acting~truly becoming each character with such intensity. And, of course, Palace Costume remains such a constant source of inspiration. Melody Barnett is the owner of Palace and over the past 40 years, she has transformed what began as a vintage clothing store on Melrose Avenue into one of the largest privately owned collection of vintage clothing in the world. Walking into Palace is like walking into a living museum. I lose myself in the aisles of the collision of history and fabrics...

What I read in Japan.

Charming translations found in Kyoto and along the Nakasendo Way.

What I saw in Tokyo

Towed Away

revisiting old ideas of drawing over my photos and breathing new life into them.

Collaboration

Cassandra Church and I have been working since the beginning of the year on a calendar for Palace Costume with the loose theme of "Queens" from around the world. We're up against the clock so we're packing a couple of queens in each day we shoot, rather than just focusing on one as we have done in the past. I was thinking that since we were packing so many in in one day, the quality might suffer, but we seem to have our formula down. Cassandra is the queen of chameleon. She fully embodies the characters of every costume she adorns. It's such an amazing experience working with such an invested and creative spirit as Cassandra. Just one more shoot and we'll have our 2013 Calendar.

What I saw in Paris

Walking out of the Studio des Ursulines in the 5th, after watching the amazing Bob Marley documentary, dir. by Kevin Macdonald.

Briar Rose

Cassandra Church as Fairy Tale Heroine.

Taboo Color ~ revisited

Mad Lyn~introducing....

Introducing: Mad Lyn art direction, make up and styling by the talented Cassandra Church.

Kikuya's Ghost

Cassandra Church dancing to the shamisen on a hot summer's day in Santa Monica. Kikuya, according to one blog, was the name of the very first female geisha.

Luv Lulu

Cassandra Church, meets Louise Brooks.

Untitled~

The Silk Road Journey

Cassandra Church, model and chameleon.

The Ins and Outs of Royalty

Cassandra Church rocks Madame de Pompadour.

A message to you, Cuba.

Taboo of Color

I recently went into Taboo to get some blue and pink in my hair. Done by the amazingly talented Aaron Blackburn. I'd been thinking about creating a stained glass look in my hair for a couple of years, and finally mustered up the courage to do it. Gill Hodgson, the fearless leader over at Taboo was inspired and co created with Aaron on some amazing looks.

He Said She Said

Exploring unchartered territories in the etiquette of texting.

Molly in Red

Molly Marlette outside of Rae's Diner on Pico Blvd.

Growing Roots and Spreading Wings

I had a great shoot with Sandy Glass who is a lovely photographer/actor/Jazz enthusiast. Back in the day he rubbed elbows with so many of my heroes including Irving Penn, Alexy Brodovitch, Richard Avedon and Bert Stern. I drank up his stories while I photographed him in my studio with my daughter along side. Gill Evans played over Pandora Radio. I saw this random fake plant at Bed Bath and Beyond when I was styling the shoot and couldn't resist. It was just the right touch to complete the story.