I had a hard time holding the camera still for this shoot; I spent most of it terrified, and it was the middle of the day. I heard tell of this Asylum from a new friend of mine, like me she shares a fascination with madness and the asylums that house it: thanks Juliet : ) Needless-to-say I had to take advantage, if not for the photos just the experience alone.

With Camera in hand, my Leatherman on my belt, and a model at my disposal I entered.

Immediately after Rose and I “made our way in” the eeriness ensued: screeching medal on the floors directly above us, doors slamming and creaking, bats and birds shooting out from dark corners, and yes…footsteps…eeeekkk!  We first heard the steps when we were in the Turquoise Room. Sorry there aren’t more shots in that location, wicked textures, but Rose and I we’re so on edge and darty-eyed at this point that I had set the camera down and we were literally sitting in that room listening to the cacophony of sounds…motionless – I almost left right then.

Having bettered our fears we moved along through the pitch dark corridors, replete with doors swinging open and closed. Having heard dogs at one point, I decided to go ahead by about 100ft to make sure everything was safe for Rose. A decision I later learned was quite insensitive, because Rose explained being attacked by a dog was a better prospect to her mind then being left alone in this place.

We were shooting the series that produced #7 when Rose’s eyes darted past me and she started to point nervously. By now I forgotten my fears and was more occupied with framing the shot. I turned around and there were two large guard dogs standing in the doorway of the room we were in. My first thought was, “I really don’t want to stab a dog today…”  Warm breath… they had come right up to me and started to appraise my legs, “okay (I thought) they are real!”  I told Rose that no matter what happens do not make eye contact just ignore them. I continued to shoot, Rose continued to look unsettled, and the dogs hadn’t decided who was to get which leg.

Rose’s eyes went placid…they had disappeared as quickly and silently as they had arrived, thank God!

Due to all the trauma I had experienced, not sure if I’ll return. I do have some ideas for this place before they gut it, but I feel very uneasy about taking models to such a dangerous place. All-in-all it was a great experience, and like I said I really didn’t care if I walked out with much. You be the judge.

Bon appetit,

The Violets

FIN
P.S. no dogs were hurt in the taking of these photos

What is a Moving Portrait? A Moving Portrait is cinematic in nature, a collection of moving pictures/stills. Each frame is carefully considered, contributing to a momentum of imagery that tells a story and projects a feeling that is unique to you. Stills continue to play an integral role in the moving portrait. Laced throughout, stills let us hold  those moments in time that so easily slip through our fingers or go unnoticed revealing a part of ourselves or loved ones that passing time seems to rob us of. Inversely the cinematic element reminds us of the poetry of motion and subtlety of expression that a alludes the still. We hope you enjoy the first of many  Winding Violets Moving Portraits.

Who: Jessica Strong

What: Moving Portait

Where: Winding Violets Studio and Kingston Ontario

When: March 6th, 2010

Why: Because it is beautiful

Music by Pricilla Ahn (such a beautiful song, thank you)

I am a big fan of editorial photography. You find editorial photography in fashion, bridal, and fine art/photography magazines. Editorial shoots are highly contrived, that is to say controlled, and  are commonly concept based. Stylists, designers, art directors, the photographer, and many others collaborate to conceive a create vision. Sometimes the vision is clear cut and has a specific end (i.e. showing off a new designers line) other times it is about creating a feeling or ethos, and sometimes they are simply done in the name of beauty: in the words of the immortal John Keats, “‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,’ – that is all / Ye need to know on earth, and all ye need to know.”

Who: Jessica Strong

What: Editorial Portraits

Where: Kingston Ontario

When: March 6th

In partnership with April Ross, Kristen Duimering, & the fundraising comity for Camp Outlook, Winding Violets is donating a portrait session to the Charity Art Auction for Camp Outlook.  Camp Outlook is a volunteer camp put together to help the at risk youth of the Kingston area, teaching them life skills & bolstering their self confidence through outdoors training. The silent auction is being hosted by The Sleepless Goat from February 1st until the 28th. The session can be family oriented or personal: a single individual, boyfriend and girlfriend, engagement, or boudoir. The prize entitles the winner to the sitting fee and a $75 print credit!  Come down to the Sleepless Goat and bid on a Portrait Session with The Violets. Without further ado, here are some portraits of April Ross. We just took a stroll together in through downtown Kingston and this is what we came away with. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment under this post. Please come down and help support this worthy local cause.

– The Violets