Behind the scenes shooting w/ model, designer and Steemian, @nikki.vance!

Good evening […early morning, actually], Steemit. I’m tired. This is one of those nights that I had to force myself to the table to blog. After dropping @guthrie off at school, I had a big shoot today. @nikki.vance […yes, she’s on Steemit so follow her] and I have been discussing a big dark fashion/dark pinup shoot for a couple of months. It was the shoot I’ve been looking forward to most after Viva Las Vegas, and in my home city! This was the day and we wanted to make it count.

@vermillionfox worked tirelessly to create three unique set/shoot locations in our home. She assisted, as she usually does, when we have a chance to work together. @nikki.vance arrived right on time and we’d talked over the concepts we were hoping to achieve. @vermillionfox utilized our endless arsenal of candles […that gets a little dangerous when working with complicated post scenarios] and several new antique treasures we’ve purchased over the last few weeks.

We’d split the living room in to two separate shoot areas. @vermillionfox created a false wall with a dark chocolate brown fabric. One of my favorite lighting techniques is to combine cool natural light from windows with warm, incandescent light from lamps […something I was told not to do in college]. I love the complex arrangements it creates. Combine that with props, dead flowers, picture frames, candles and difficult poses, and you’re bound to get something cool […especially with a model as stunning as @nikki.vance].

Shortly in to the shoot, our tarantula and 5’ Suriname red tail boa constrictor even participating in the photos […a real testament to @nikki.vance and how awesome she is because that was not discussed previously]. We moved to the other side of the room utilizing a darker space, more in line with my typical dark pinup style. We made our way upstairs to our beautiful wooden vanity and mirror immortalized in several of @vermilllionfox’s Musing posts.

Once finished in the house, @nikki.vance and I made our way an hour south to Hastings, MN. In addition to being smart and beautiful, our model is also a brilliantly gifted artist in creating custom fashion headpieces. We had one of her more elaborate creations to shoot and I knew of just the location. The Old Mill ruins which I stumbled across through friends’ recommendations when we were looking to shoot our MTG Liliana Vess cosplay last fall.

The photos at the ruins came out incredible. Probably some of my favorites of the entire day and I can’t wait to edit. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse in to the behind the scenes. I post daily. For more photography, art, illustration and the stories behind the work, follow me @kommienezuspadt.