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My photographs, sets and designs- Pin wheel set.

I recently wrote an article on Bored Panda about the creation of two of my photoshoots, reusing some of the same elements and showing some of the process photos from the shoot. To check out the full article click here. I apologize for the SEO written title in advance ;) 

Since some of you are already familiar with my work I will just be adding the photos and some brief descriptions! 

I designed the backdrop to appear like a large head piece when Elena stood in front of it.

The same pinwheels were used in this photo shoot with hair stylist/ model Karly Vedan. The makeup artist (Ashley Skrocki) incorporated various design elements from the pieces into her work.

This string of paper flowers were all individually hand shaped, arrange, and glue together with a "rivet" on top. 

Tiny flowers were added to the makeup and a paper flower shawl was made for this "scene."

A different view of the paper shawl with some pins I made to match. 

On to some behind the scenes photos, taken with my cell phone, of part of the creation of the pieces the models wore. 

The pinwheels before putting them together for the background. 

Shaping and gluing together the paper flowers

The final paper pieces (the crown I ended up using for a different shoot)

The larger pinwheel with the hand shaped flowers in the centre.

The mask before it was dyed, painted and had all the beads, stones and feathers added. 

Updates and what's happening in March!

We are signed up for Western Canada Fashion Week on March 28. Doors open at 7 pm, with the show to follow at 8 pm at the TransAlta Arts Barn in Edmonton.

For this show, we are writing a short story inspired by several Celtic myths we love. Shortly before the show, we will share a summary of the story, and later this year the full story to go along with all the runway photos. We decided to do this instead of a traditional collection since many of our pieces are so different from each other. Each signature piece we make is usually based on a character we created or on a story that includes that character.

Recently, we were published in the January edition of Gilded Magazine out of California. This photoshoot was also based on a short story we wrote.

We were lucky enough to meet a kindred spirit who really understands the stories and inspiration behind our pieces. The photographer, Breanne Marie Photography, captured the storyline beautifully through her photos. She has been amazing to collaborate with and you can check out more of her beautiful work here.

We will do a full blog post with the story and all the photos from the shoot soon! But for now below is one that we love of model Jen Ferguson.

We are also very fortunate to have my sister, Ashley, as part of our team. We will be creating a line of complementary (to our items) stencils for airbrushing makeup by this summer!! 

You can check out Ash's other work on her website http://skrockimakeupartistry.weebly.com

*Ash with model Carra Pischke Photograph by Brenda Lakeman

We were also featured in a local print and digital magazine, T8N, with a photo essay. It includes never before seen shots of our studio, inspirations, quick drawings, and watercolour tests of various pieces we make. We asked one of our favourite models, Carra Pischke, to join us for the shoot.

The interview was done by the editor, Carmen, and the photo essay portion was done by Brenda Lakeman out of St. Albert. For anyone interested in seeing a bit of our studio and learning more about the makers behind these items, the March edition of T8N Magazine is available on their website. For those who live in Edmonton or St. Albert, the magazine is available at dozens of locations free of charge for pickup. A full list of locations can be found on their website.

Here is a link to the feature, with the full print version at the bottom.T8N March Issue

Lastly we recently changed the pricing on our website to US dollars to be included on social media like “Pinterest.” This now makes all our items pinable! For our Canadian customers this just means you will see the Canadian amount on your bill. If you want to purchase in Canadian dollars you can also do that through our Etsy shop! 

 Details to follow soon about other photoshoots and publications!!

Shoot in Gilded Magazine January 2016 Edition.

This shoot was based on a short story we wrote. It is only very roughly edited to show the context and the ideas behind the shoot. I included scene notes to further describe the items we used, as well as the thought process behind the shoot. The photographer was the fantastic Breanne Marie Photography. 

She was fully on board with the creative ideas we brought forward and added some of her own, helping to create a truly unique set of photos.

The models were, Carra Pischke, Jen Ferguson  and Randy Cusack. With Makeup by Ashley Skrocki Makeup Artistry and hair by Dani White. 

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On a cloudless night, the stars shone upon a forest through which no light could reach. Pathways once lush and inviting were consumed by branches, long and short, entwined like lovers against the twilight. Deep within the corridors of winding trees, dark secrets aching to be told were disclosed in clandestine meetings by the shadows that kept them. The tones, crisp against empty air, hung in anticipation of the drumbeat, calling to those who had yet to appear. The circle’s completion drew nearer and nearer as they amassed. Of blood and stone, that which must be given was presented in the face of the full moon. Those who assembled beneath its watchful eye gathered not for light, and though the stars shone, their light was lost amid the branches. Tonight, the moon would turn its back on this forest.

Not far from the gathering, a dusty path wound outward, stretching its worn fingers through the countryside and touching the hamlets where those unaware of these nefarious goings on blissfully unwound from the labours of the day. The merriest of all were undoubtedly the traveling companies who set up their temporary quarters along the weaving roadside. Their day had passed in hours of toil, hauling belongings, wares, and caravans onward to a destination only determined upon arrival. When they stopped to await the coming dawn, fires were built against the embers of a slow sinking sun. With cauldrons bubbling and fresh game roasting, it was song and bottle that beckoned most. But not all would find solace in such illusions, and one such young man sought his retreat in the moon’s mesmerizing face. With little hesitation, he set forth from the comforting nest of his encampment and the warm haze of friendship, security, and ale onto the dusty path.

Along the path he strolled. The air was crisp against his face, and the silence was unbroken save for the steady rhythm of his own footsteps. Lost in thought, he wandered on, unaware of the distance he had traveled, until a darkened wood consumed his view. The sound of a maiden’s laughter drew him from his reverie, and step by step he traveled ever deeper into the trees. A glimpse of her cloak, the flash of her hair like smoke against the dark, drew him closer still. Her slender hand reached from the shadows, one finger outstretched, and as though it were the night itself beckoning, enticed him onward. Each step revealed another fragment of her. A black filigree mask obscured her face, and an intricately detailed ivory cloak wrapped around her, weaving her into the shadows that held her.

The gold ring upon her finger captivated him, and as though caught in a trance, he was powerless. So bewitching was her gaze that he remained oblivious to the ring’s razor edge against his skin, or the body pinned tightly beneath the shroud just steps away. In her other hand, she carried a mask with a dark visage and great horns. Those who had gathered in secret remained hidden in the shadows, watching carefully as events unfolded. With a single drop of the young man’s blood upon the tip of her finger, the transformation began. A horned creature, enslaved to whatever commanded these dark woods, now stood where once an innocent man had been, its soulless gaze resting upon the risen goddess.

Beneath the shroud, the mouth lay agape, frozen in time like a marble sarcophagus in a forgotten mausoleum. Yet when that single drop of innocence was passed from her fingertip, a gasp was heard, like rustling leaves caught in the forest’s throat. Slowly, the body beneath the shroud stirred, as if reanimated from a state fit for the grave. She moved again. There in the forest, behind the back of the moon, where the starlight could not reach, stood a goddess of ancient will. At one side, her noble sacrifice was no more than a husk, and at the other, a body returned from death.

From every shadow appeared another set of horns, another set of black eyes watching, their numbers innumerable as they filled the night. Like a butterfly emerging from the hollows of the mortuary, the shroud slipped from her as she rose. In the eyes of the goddess, the gold of her adornments shimmered. At her feet lay a great horned mask, its empty gaze fixed upon the stars.

 The End

by Tanner and Amy 

The scene notes show roughly what items the models would be wearing, what the models might be doing. 

Scene one: shows model in cape with filigree mask and Swarovski crystal cuff. Raising one finger to beckon the traveller. Black mask. Large armour ring. The woman is wearing a large skirt. Cape is golden or ivory with black trim. 

Scene two: shows man and woman- no mask on the female model. She is tracing her finger with the ring down the front of he chest. Leaving a small drop of blood. He is holding the demon mask. He is wearing a cape with a large axe pendant.

(Various edits below) Breanne thoughts of smoke bombs, which worked amazingly with the sort of fairy tale shoot. I love the black and white version as well. This reminded me of a old fairy tale that would have been filmed in the 70s. The smoke from the bombs changed so rapidly, with the far right picture making it seem like the smoke is coming from the models hand. 

Scene three: shows the woman now in large mask/with large skull necklace with drop of blood on her finger holding it over to silhouette on the table.  No cape in this image. Cathedral cuffs.

A incredible image by Breanne Marie Photography with fantastic editing. 

Behind the scene shot with Tanner. This even makes it look more like some vintage film. On the right side you see the hair artist Dani White. 

You can see the model Randy transformed. I love the shots Breanne Marie Photography did of Randy. 

Totally surreal shot!!!! 

Picture 5: solo pic of woman. shows the woman from under the blanket wearing the larger Phaedra set (large statement axe set, cuffs, belt, earrings). Shorter stone bodice/corset. There is the mask by her feet. 

the blue smoke only adds to magic of the overall shoot. 

Alternative edit by Breanne Marie Photography. 

To see other photos done by Breanne Marie Photography please check out her website here.