Re-Post for PR - Penny Cabot - An Evening with a Princess

Truly a learning experience for this photog!  This was really the first time I had experienced a shoot with a model who had professional experience...what a joy it was!  Since this shoot I have photographed Penny numerous times and in my opinion the portraits get better and better.  Penny and I developed a true psychic connection when shooting...all I have to do is think of the emotion, the feeling, or physical poses that I want and within seconds she picks up on it and does it without saying a word.  Indeed, very rare - for sure!
We focused on professionalism and "nailing" the shots.  It really was much later in the series that I realized just how much magick surrounded this project.  I learned to pre-programmed designated music to call in the guardians along with many other magickal methods that became the "norm" for all my shoots.  What this experience brought to me was a very dear friend, and how to maintain a high level of integrity and expectation from my job as a photographer.  Thanks Penny for giving me the confidence I so desperately needed to continue on with MWS !!!


I will be releasing more of Penny's shoots on FB over the next year...so stay tuned folks...stay tuned!

Just a test shot - LOVELY!

Penny's shoot is inspired by a portrait done by George Hurrell in the 1950's at Paramount Studios. Of course I will be adding my own lighting techniques and design, keeping it original, but the idea is ALL George. Since Penny is a very talented artist, I will be incorporating her artistic flair into the shoot.

Judging the way Penny's photos turned out from Laurie's Birthday celebration (http://allure.smugmug.com/cabot/LaurieCabotBirthday I think it is certainly safe to say her portraits will be quite beautiful!

When Penny arrived she was all ready for the shoot, and it only took a moment or two for her to change into a beautiful glittery dress that the strobes seemed to like very much, by bouncing off the sequins and beads in a most complimentary fashion.

I did not know that Penny had previous experience modeling...but, it only took a few shots and I knew that this gal really knew how to pose, how to work the props, and most importantly, how to feel the emotions I was looking for. She was eager to help me achieve my goals for her debut as a "Mystic Woman", and believe me she did just that! She "worked" the drapery in a way that I had not expected and truly surpassed the expectations that I did have...she took it to a whole new level. The lighting and equipment cooperated, and really we had no technical issues throughout the duration of her shoot! What a joy!

It was a long shoot, but so very worth it. I cannot wait for you all to see her top 8 shots in the "Mystic Women of Salem" photo gallery http://allure.smugmug.com, I think you will all be very, very pleased. I will be adding her photos to the gallery as they are completed...so check the above website frequently over the next 2 weeks.

The goofy photog posing with a regal Penny!

Your photog goofing around before shoot.

The set is now ready and awaits the arrival of a Princess!

                                     

Promotional Re-Post - Mulysa Meyham of Good Mojo Tattoos

A studio portrait will be released tomorrow on our MWS FB Business Page !  Check it out !

The Mystic Women of Salem Project is proud to present, Mulysa Meyham of Good Mojo Tattoos !!!

On  Sunday May 12, 2013 at 5pm the lovely breathe of fresh air arrived at the studio on an overcast and rather chilly May day, even for New England.  Mulysa is a native Salemite who has generational history with the city of Salem and it's people.  Needless to say, Mulysa is the FIRST and ONLY tattoo artist that will be featured in the MWS project.  She is a lovely young woman with the wisdom of the ancients.  I was captivated by her and her story from the very day that I interviewed her at Good Mojo Tattoo Shop, well over a year ago.  She brings integrity, honesty, compassion, and unlimited artistic flair to the project.  As you will clearly see, from her shoot, Mulysa IS ART...walking, moving, breathing ART.  She is fascinating to look at and compelling to talk to.  There are not many of her generation that have the knowledge and wisdom of the ancients like Mulysa does...it is quite jolting at first, one just does not expect such things from youth.  Her shoot was fast and virtually with no direction from me...it was like "strike a pose" from the very beginning.  She was like shooting a seasoned pro.

I am certainly not used to shooting so fast...I had a hard time keeping up with this girl!  I called it a wrap in only a little over an hour (and folks that's unheard of with MWS shoots)!   When I heard the little whisper,"call it a wrap" I was quite shocked and a bit perplexed.  However, I learned long ago to just do as I'm told and surrender to the powers at be...so I did.

I knew that we had gotten some incredible shots which is the norm for this project, but, what had me a bit confused was that the air in the studio did not change or become "thick" as I call it.  That's a sure sign that "other forces" such as the Guardians are indeed present.  Knowing that Mulysa is a VERY powerful young woman, I really was perplexed by the lack of changes in atmospheric conditions that ALWAYS occur when working on MWS, ESPECIALLY shoots with these women.  However, like I said, I have learned the hard way...just don't ask questions and DON'T BUCK IT!

Mulysa left the studio seemingly satisfied and seemed to enjoy the experience as well.   I, on the other hand had a nagging feeling...certainly not one of disappointment, just curious more than anything.  It was not until I began editing and downloading the shots to hard drive that it hit me!  And boy did it...ONCE AGAIN!

During shoots I break every so often and let the subject view a few of the shots via the view screen on the camera...it seems to help them with a "visual" so they can understand what I'm going for.  At one of those breaks I showed Mulysa the sequence of shots I had taken after she let her dreads down and unwrapped from the velvet.  She was not exactly excited about those particular shots, which surprised me because I remembered vividly with visions of a "lost tribe" a newly found civilization deep, deep, in the forrest and Mulysa was the Queen.  During this sequence, my pre-programmed cd's were filling the studio with drum music.  It had an all encompassing echo...it seemed to fill the entire studio...the longer I shot the more intense the drums.  Of course this is one of those experiences that I have from behind the lens (I have many such experiences) but, not like this one...with sound AND visions.   While I was editing all this came to me.  I thought...you know I'd better go check that cd...I don't ever remember that music before (thinking there was some message or something - all I knew was something was up).  When it defies logic and makes no sense what so ever, my ears and senses perk up to FULL ALERT status...

I searched every track of every cd that are designated and pre-programmed for MWS shoots, not once, not twice, but thrice.  There IS no drum music on those cd's.  I have searched 3 times now...so, I chalk it up to Freyja and the Guardians once again...

    Message Heard, Message Received, Message Relayed


Great Job Mulysa - Hope you feel differently about the "tribal" shot(s) - check it out!  
Luv ya!

R :}

MWS LADIES - RE-ORGANIZATION AND PR UPDATES

Very shortly we will be posting some of the studio portraits on Facebook.  This is being done for PR purposes.  Meeting with publishers, we found out that the MWS page (business Facebook page) needed to "switch gears" in a sense.  The portraits that will be posted are NOT in the running for publication in the Mystic series.  However, know that these portraits are absolutely good enough to be used for PR purposes.  The shots that will published simply mean that the lighting, expression, details of the shot rated higher in the excellence category. 
We aim to bring this page up to the level that the website is.  The website is being viewed and hit thousands of times over the Facebook page.  So, in effort to have more consistency and most certainly more accurate numbers, there will be significant changes on the page.   
Soon, I will be working several days per week with Laurie and Penny, so William and I are working hard to get all MWS business completed before then.  
Just FYI peeps.

MWS UPDATE - DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS - May 2016

         DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
The last few months the Project Manager (Wiliam)  and I have been consulting with professionals in the publishing industry (agents, houses, authors, etc.,).   The feedback has been interesting and at times a bit shocking for us.  We are hearing, "beautiful, interesting, magickal",  the shocker for me especially is hearing "too regional".  Even with our data reflecting national and international interest and thousands of views/hits via the MWS gallery on Performance Art Photography website, blog and Facebook pages (especially the gallery - a real "hit" you guys!).  
Being so surprised by the "regional" comments and feedback, William and I are now having to re-evaluate the direction and ultimate goals for MWS.  In fact, the entire project and it's intention is being reviewed and re-calibrated.  Confused yet?  Let me explain and get a bit more specific.
The professionals are saying that MWS is too regional, implying that the only interest/sales would be from Salemites and the surrounding areas.  Our data and numbers does not seem to sway this opinion.  The next possible direction and scenario for the project, in William's opinion (as well as mine), leads us to major decisions that will effect the future of MWS tremendously.  
Several sleepless nights later along with the feedback/opinions from MWS ladies, published photographers, artists and mentors we have streamlined and come up with the following possible scenarios.  The first being...MWS would become one chapter in a much larger and expanded version of the original concept...ie, other locations and women would be included and featured in the book.   Of course this scenario would cost mega bucks and several years before final compilation and publication.  That being said, I am reminded of the old saying, "what the God's and Goddess's have in mind is much bigger than you can ever imagine".  This in itself is haunting us throughout the decision process.  The second scenario would be to stick to the original concept and try to self publish MWS.  This means that I would have to sacrifice the "fine art" label and quality of the final product.  Please understand that my vision of the book is done by Master Printers (very few have the knowledge, equipment and ability to produce a book of this caliber).  I did consult with Christopher Penczak and Copper Cauldron Publishing and his response was that for a project like this, they just did not have the equipment to take on MWS - at this time. He concurred that MWS could only be produced/printed by a select few in the publishing industry.  This was certainly confirmation for me. 
If we should decide to produce MWS on a local level, even at a lower quality than my initial vision, it would still cost several thousand dollars. The photography books that I have seen around Salem that feature the historical sites/locations of interest...etc., etc., are not in the same league as those that I have photographed...even a novice can see the vast difference.  Please be clear, am I implying that I am this incredible world class photog?  No.  However, I do know for a fact that my advantage and "edge" is that I had other forces clearly working along with me and in my (and MWS) favor.  People will see this vast difference when the location shoots are revealed...they are sealed and have not been seen by anyone other than those working with me on MWS shoots around Salem. 
At this point we have to analyze the intentions and directions being made for MWS's future.  Scenario two would pacify the ladies of the project and some of the locals...is that why I would consider # two?  Number one is a much, much bigger project and would require an incredible amount of dedication, time, and not to mention dollars.  So...which is it?  Which path is the correct one?  Which one will please the Goddess? Which one will benefit the most people?  
Have we put aside all personal gain and considered what's best for the project?  

Those are the million dollar questions at this time.  
We shall see peeps...we shall see.  R :|