New Photography Website

Check it out, I'm expanding, and have created a specific site for just my creative photography. It runs smoother and easier than the current Abyssmal site's portfolio. Plus it's set up for mobile use as well. The future is now!

CLICK HERE FOR AWESOMNESS.

The Space Shuttle. 1981-2011

Something world-altering and incredible happened in the spring of 1981, 30 years ago... I was born. 2 months later, something ELSE happened. The inaugural launch of the first NASA Space Shuttle, Columbia. STS-1. A safe, reusable ship that could escort Americans to and from space. A feat that many Earthicans had put blood, sweat and tears into since the great space race in the 1950s.

Unfortunately, due to many factors, this past week was the last of the 135 scheduled shuttle launches. Ever. The crafts are to be retired and spread around the country for many tourists to enjoy from here on out. The technology is working, but I agree is getting outdated. (Most of us wouldn't feel comfortable driving a car that old, let along a rocket ship.) It still brings a tear to my eye.

I have always been a HUGE fan of the shuttle program, a program that has grown up along side me, and has taken me along for the ride. I remember watching the Night launches from the Keys (Yes, you could see a Night launch from there). Watching day launches through my telescope. Going to Kennedy Space Center for the 1st time when I was 8.





Attending my first launch for STS-40, Columbia in 1991. My Dad got us into the Press area, as close as we could.



I even built my 2nd year Pinewood Derby car to be modeled after the Shuttle (and yes of Course I still have it!)


I attended Space Camp in High School, and visited all three Space Centers.


I've attended dozens of launches over the years, and was lucky to be able to take my son, Victor to his first (and last) shuttle launch.


...and currently a Commander Card holder.


You could say I'm a bit of a Shuttle nut. But not a Space nut, I have never truly enjoyed Sci-Fi films or tv shows. I've only seen Star Wars once (when they re-released it in theaters) I hate politics, so naturally have stayed away from Sci-Fi... With a heavy heart, I watched the last Shuttle launch from my hotel room in Miami, near a hospital where my Mother had just gone through a major aortic valve replacement in her heart. I wouldn't have missed the surgery for the world, but it was odd not being able to feel the boom of the engines igniting one last time.

I am excited for the future of NASA, the introduction of private Space administrations, and the refurbishing of KSC as a new Space Port. The plan is supposedly to start shuttling Americans to space again from America within 3 years, through Space X's new program. At the moment, we are paying the Russians to take us up... good plan. I'm stoked to be able to go through it, once it becomes a museum item. I am excited to see where the future of American Space Exploration holds... let's hope it leads us back up and further beyond the stars.

PHOTOSHOOT: We Belong Alive

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a fan of Cancer. After losing my Father and Mother-in-Law in the past year, it is not something that I balk at. My Mother also had cancer at 20 years old, and has been dealing with side effects still even 30 years later. Cancer sucks.

On October 6th of last year, the popular Horror T-shirt site Fright-Rags released a special edition shirt, that if bought would help support a friend of the site's who was battling cancer. (You can read the whole story HERE.)

The image that they created stuck with me for a long time, and as a Photographer, I had always thought it would make a great striking photo. When all of the components and schedules came together recently, we were able to try and physically recreate the painting.

Here is the final image, a throwback to the famous Janet Jackson cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, only utilizing Frankenstein's Monster & his Bride. I hope you enjoy it, and I also hope it instills a bit of motivation to help out someone who has cancer, or who has lost someone to cancer. It is something that unfortunately will effect every single human on this planet at some point in their lifetime...

We Belong Alive.



Here is the original image created by Fright-Rags:


Models: Tara Price & Keenan McClelland
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800, & 800 Ring Flash
Makeup by: Ashli Szymanski of C.S Studios FX
Hair Styling by: Kaitlyn Matlock
Wardrobe Styling by: Aleksandra Chernova

PRINT: Gothic Beauty Magazine

I recently discovered, unbenounst to me, I had been published Nationally (I think the 3rd time?) in the popular alternative "Gothic Beauty Magazine" this month. I had done a shoot in the past for Pink Label Corsets, with Orlando model Lily Le Roi in a nearby Graveyard (see Blog entry HERE). The photos were used on a write up in the magazine on the clothing label. Check out the scans below, and grab a copy at most major book retailers (that haven't gone out of business...)

PHOTOSHOOT: Insane Black Rock Shooter

I love fan Conventions. I love the atmosphere, the excitement, the costumes. (not so much the $9 Convention Center Hotdogs) I've gone to conventions since I was in high school, and have always loved the nature of getting a certain group of people together to obsess with their favorites of pop culture. One of the elements of conventions that I have not always gotten into... is Anime. Now I watched a bit of anime in school, and my wife Melanie loves some Dragonball Z, but I never fell in love with it the way others did.
Recently I applied to do a photoshoot for an anime cosplay with model Gemma. (My FIRST Anime Photoshoot!) She had created a costume for an upcoming Anime convention, of the character titled "Insane Black Rock Shooter".

I have no idea where this character is from, or what she is about, but the costume struck me as an awesome potential live action image. Gemma did a great job on the design, and I helped liven it up a bit with Photoshop. Here is the final image:


Model: Gemma
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Janna

Another victim of my camera in the Los Angeles area, is our friend, actress and co-producer on "The Interrogationists", Janna Jude. We broke away from our busy production schedule to grab a quick shoot on her apartment rooftop, overlooking the sunset strip and downtown L.A. There was a really full moon that night.... really full.



Model: Janna Jude
Shot on Location: Rooftop, West Hollywood, CA
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Hollie

While wandering around the Los Angeles area, I also grabbed the opportunity to shoot with our friend and actress, Hollie Winnard. We lurked through abandoned cages, shacks, and giant stone enclosures. The place had definitely been fairly vandalized and entertained by local vagrants. I definitely had the feeling like I was walking through Jurassic Park's Site B. Here are a few of the shots that came out well...





Model: Hollie Winnard
Shot on Location: Abandoned LA Zoo, Los Angeles, CA
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600