I am thrilled to announce that Professor Lewis, Photography Concentration, of the Art Department at Salem State University has agreed to continue participating in the Mystic Women of Salem series/project  as advisor and critiques under the Directed Study program at the University.  My final portrait critique went extremely well to say the least.  

" These recent shoots are the best and most consistent that you have done in the entire MWS series, you are producing and working at a very high level of photography."  

OMGoddess, OMGoddess you guys!  I cannot tell you what these words mean.  You have to be at the University and in this program to fully understand just how hard it is to get high marks and to receive comments such as the above, is EXTREMELY  difficult!

So...all the pain, the endless hours of work, the fatigue, the frustration and not to mention the fear, is proving to be worth it.  With people like you ladies', your families, friends, the University educators, our PR Girl Dawn Dorgan and not to mention the Project Manager's guidance, expertise and constant support...is most certainly giving me the strength to continue on!  POWER TO MWS!!!!!  YES!

Elaine and Nicol, our Reiki Masters shoot will be scheduled for launch tomorrow and if it is too late in day I will re-launch it at 10 am Friday as well.  Just FYI - the Professor said that the lighting, was excellent and the photograph I took of Nicol sitting on the floor is the best photograph I have taken in the MWS series (due to the complexity of the lighting design).  CONGRATS and THANKS NICOL!!!!  

So VERY HAPPY!!!!  :} R

On Saturday, April 13, 2013 Mystic Woman Dawn arrives at the studio with "Excalibur" in hand and looking as lovely as ever.  Much, much planning had gone into this shoot, more than usual I would say.  From brainstorming to visions, Freyja sent messages almost immediately about the theme, the dress, the poses, the head dress, the backdrop, and most importantly...the lighting.  Weeks prior to the shoot I had begun sketching (a method I always use for each shoot) the layout and design of the decided theme...which was "Lady of the Lake".  The messages had come via conversation and ticker messages at the bottom of the screen of several news channels.  Salem had a snow storm prior to the "messages". The night before the storm Dawn and I met and had her pre-shoot meeting.  "Lady of the Lake" came up and had come to her numerous times long ago via a very odd library experience.  We left the conversation being that I would sleep on it and ask for confirmation.  The very next morning when I turned on the TV there was "Lady of the Lady" (reporting school closings) on one channel.  I changed the channel over 4 times (by that point I quit counting) and the message was the same on each "Lady of the Lake"..."Lady of the Lake"...over and over again.  So, "Lady of the Lake" it was!

We decided on two themes, Lady of the Lake, and Guenevere.  Dawn had ordered a gorgeous custom made dress from England and it was Arthurian in style.   (The Project Manager and I decided that we would be able to use Guenevere shots in PR.)  So, of course I HAD to shoot her in it. 

Thank goodness Dawn's niece (Courtney) had come to assist!  This was by far one of the more difficult shoots for "The Mystic Women of Salem" project.  Not only were THE GUARDIANS present but all of THE ELEMENTS (plus a smoke machine !) were represented as well, which made for a VERY powerful session.  The magic was thick and the messages were quite strong during the entire shoot.  I took Dawn back in time to Camelot where she was ultimately alone kneeling at an altar with Excalibur as her only source of defense.  Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot and all the men were in battle...Guenevere was to carry the burden of protecting the castle, the women, and all the children.  She could FEEL Morgana busy, busy, busy brewing a demon legion.  Guenevere went from desperation and fear to the ultimate triumph of re-gaining her power and determination to see the battle through...good against evil.  

Guenevere shots will be up on the Smugmug gallery at www.allure.smugmug.com soon.  

For right now check out her "Lady of the Lake" shots!  During the smoke scenes Dawn wore a crown with Fauz over her third eye...Freyja was well represented!  

Dawn and Courtney departing after hours and hours of a difficult shoot...but one that brought me to the verge of tears several times.  It is quite emotional to see your vision, sketches, and MWS woman bring it all to life right before your very eyes!   GREAT GREAT JOB GIRLS!!!!  :}

Ms. Mia Mountain arrived at the University on Sunday, April 7, 2013 for her much anticipated shoot.  The theme for Mia, since she is a librarian in Boston, was "The Book of Records".  A theme she was quite excited about after hearing my vision.  You all saw the "The Book of Records" promo with the blue lighting as pr for her upcoming shoot.  We expanded upon this vision.

I met Ms. Mia in front of Meir Hall on a rather chilly and windy New England afternoon.  The moment she popped her head out of the car, I could not help but notice how shockingly beautiful this young woman is.  She is a very strong woman who has had an incredibly difficult journey to navigate over the last couple of years...personal in nature, so I shall not go into further details.  

Mia has had some modeling experience in fashion and I tried to warn her about the type of shooting sessions that MWS requires from me and the featured woman.  However, I think she was a little concerned and "jarred" about my shooting style.  Until she saw the pr photo on facebook promoting her shoot.  She was assured after that, that I did indeed know what I was doing.  

Like I told her and I will tell all of you...when the pre-set music begins and the guardians are present my movements become fast, furious, and silent.  Many times I can literally "hear" what to do and what lights to pull next.  I had warned Mia that this experience is entering another realm...and there's no telling who will show up or what will happen.  However,  no matter how much I try to prepare MWS gals...it seems they must experience it for themselves...and boy do they!

After calling it a "wrap", Mia said,"that clock on the wall cannot be right."  I told her that it was indeed correct, but that she had just experienced the "zone".  Ms. Mia was shocked and further said that  the "blue light" session felt like she was being drawn/transported into the light...literally.  She surrendered to the power and respected the presence...  that's when the majick began and the best photographs were taken.

Great Job Mia!!!!  :}