Late-September monochromes!

What’s up, Hive? How are things this evening/morning? I’m just getting home from a few hours at @caffetto. @mirrorpool and @neverwel work tonight, but mostly administrative stuff, camping socials and setting up accounts on other chains. Most of this early week has been productive getting several illustrations done for the @neverwel release, hopefully next month. I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming LA trip. I’m leaving in less than a week. I don’t feel ready, but knowing it’ll be my last trip of the year offers some calm.

Tonight, I’m going to be sharing a collection of black and white photography of some of my favorite images. These are photos that’ve never been turned in to monochromes. Once or twice a month, this is a great opportunity to showcase the dramatic black and whites of my best dark pinup shots. This first one is from Queens, NY with a model named Christina. This shot is featured in my book by @wcpublishing, but as a color. The hotel wasn’t very exciting so this is a trick I used to make the image more interesting, having her hide under the covers.

This new shot is from January of 2022, shot in Los Angeles at my friend Micheline Pitt’s home. She’s been one of my closest friend’s since I started shooting with the prominent pinup models on the west coast. She now owns two vintage inspired dress companies, her goth brand, La Femme En Noir, I’ve shot many look books for. This photo was taken during our most recent project together and although Micheline doesn’t model much anymore, I said, “Can you lay down here just for a quick shot.”. I love this one as a black and white. Very, “Old Hollywood”.

Lastly, this low key, shadow heavy black and white was taken in Bethlehem, PA at the Bookstore Speakeasy with tattooer and model, Alisha Gory. The entire restaurant was lit with dozens of oil lamps. I couldn’t ask for a more, “me”, setting. Alisha is outstanding, obviously. The richness of the dark space really makes for a captivating monochrome and this is my first time really appreciating the subtle complexity. That pulp/noir vibe really translates with a femme fatale waiting in the shadows like a black widow. Thanks for reading! Good night.