Moeraes Fate

Recently, I did a photo shoot with the band Moeraes Fate, (formally known as DAME.) I've been holding on to these for the last week or two, waiting for them to announce their new name officially. The theme was Steampunk, which I always have trouble explaining so click on the red link if you are curious about what it is. :)

I brought in two MUAs, Julienne Spencer and Christina R who did a fantastic job on the makeup and hair! And Starkers! Corsetry was very kind to lend us these beautiful corsets and skirts.

Each of the women has their own distinct personality so we tried to reflect that in the wardrobe. Above are Katee (vocals/bass) and Kayla with the goggles (drums). For better quality versions of these images, click on the links. The photo quality on this blog is rubbish!

New band member Ali (guitar), is also new to photo shoots but she's really easy going and a great listener so she photographed like a pro.

The name Moeraes Fate is a play on words. The Moerae (otherwise known as The Fates) were personifications of destiny in Greek mythology. One spins the thread of life, one measures that life and one cuts the thread, i.e. Birth, Life and Death. So when they let me in on the name change they asked if it was possible to work it into the shoot. I came up with some wool and a huge pair of gardening shears (thanks to my Mom) which I think worked well! And I think it's a cool name for a band of three women. Click HERE for better image quality.

And I'm totally chuffed that they decided to use one of the shots on their new CD! I think it looks perfect!

So it was a success in my book!! A definite thanks to my sis Samantha for helping me lug all my gear down to the studio and set up. Great day, great band, great shots!

Up next, I'm doing some model test shots with a new client. And then I'm hoping to put a creative shoot together for November inspired by Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unwerth (if you're on a work computer and they're prudish about nudity maybe visit this site later...).

x0
Al

"Hang You From the Heavens" - The Dead Weather

Another one of my favourites...rock'n'roll. :) This performance is just so fuckin' fantastic!

Headshots and country BBQs

So I thought I'd post about what I've been up to lately.

First, headshots! We went down to the Distillery District which is an amazing spot for photos! Liz photographs well!!

Elizabeth MacAlpine
MUA - InVision Makeup

Also took some shots out in the country during a family bbq. I wish I could have walk around a bit more but it looked like rain and I had nothing to cover my camera with.

Coming up this September, I'm doing a steampunk shoot that I'm really excited about. It's early days but it looks like everything is falling into place...I will definitly be posting them when they're done!!

Bought A New Bike

I bought a new bike! It's a 21 spead and candy apple red. I test rode it all weekend I was so excited! Then I ride it into work this morning...first commute in with it and I get a flat tire. doh! But I'm hoping this gets me into good shape. I quit smoking almost 7 years ago and I STILL get winded climbing stairs. For a more quality version of this pic, click here.

Jen & Chris's Wedding

I shot a wedding a few weeks back and I'm pleased with the way they turned out and more importantly I think the bride and groom are happy. I thought Jen was an elegant bride, not a cream puff in sight. I loved the Roman influenced dress and the theme colours were blue and orange which are perfect for a summer wedding. I'm not the type of photographer that gives a lot of direction. I find really posed shots a bit boring and bossing people around tends to stifle spontaneity. So I took a lot of candids and for the posed shots I tried to just let everyone be themselves.

A lot of the people involved with the wedding were friends or family of the bride and groom. I know Jen from UofT, Jen's friend Justin who owns Cherish Events Management cooridnated the wedding. The DJ was Chris's brother in law Sean and this amazing wedding cake was done by Chris's sister Joy.
My favourite shot of the day is this big group shot. It's not Toronto without a pigeon crashing the party. To see better quality versions of these pics and a few more click here.

Surrender Dorothy

I haven't been here in a bit so I thought I would post my 13/52 shot for this week. I bought this dress a while ago and poppies always remind me of the Wizard of Oz, which is one of my all time favourite films. So this is my little tribute. You can't really see the Surrender Dorothy in the sky so to see a better copy and the rest of this series so far, click HERE. I shot a wedding two weeks ago and I'm just finishing that up. Once the bride and groom have seen their photos, I will post a few here. Weddings are tough!!

Jean Harlow

I've decided to write a bit about what I like and I'm starting with my favourite of favourites, Jean Harlow. It's safe to say that I am a devoted fan of hers, I just love her. I've seen most her films, though not all of them...some are tough to find.
A little info on Jean: Her real name was Harlene Harlow Carpenter, Jean Harlow was her mother's name. She used it when a friend of hers egged her on to sign up as an extra for "the pictures" and the name just stuck.
The term "blonde bombshell" was coined for her. She was typecast early as a vamp and a "trashy" woman, although that wasn't really who she was. Her biggest dream was to have a family. But her reputation for not wearing underwear was absolutely true. She didn't do this to be provocative, she just thought it was uncomfortable to wear them so opted not to. Which is funny when you think that only a decade earlier, a woman would have to be draped in fabric from head to toe and bound in a corset.
Three of her most famous leading men were Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and William Powell. Powell and her were also a couple off camera. The picture below is from one of my favourite films with her and Gable, Red Dust. By today's standards it's phenomenally racist and sexist, but you just have to take it all with a grain of salt and accept that this was the way of the world then. Jean's performance is fantastic and their on screen chemistry is perfect. And it should be noted that this is a Pre-Code (or Pre Hays Code) film, which means it was released before the MPAA Film Rating system so they just did what they wanted. The Hays Code came into effect in 1934 and it changed the content of films being release quite a bit. This film would have been considered way too sexy and suggestive...to say the least. Boo! Those code people were no fun! The photo below is of Jean and Spencer Tracy, I think from Libeled Lady.
Jean made a conscious effort to change her image so she could play different roles, starting with dying her famous platinum blonde hair light brown. After the code was put in place her characters were always portrayed as villains and she wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. Decades later, one of her biggest fans would suffer a similar fate; Marilyn Monroe. This actually isn't my favourite look for her, I like the vamp look. :) But I understand why she did it and I still think she looks beautiful!! In fact I absolutely love this photo below so I'm thinking I might do a shoot inspired by it...I just have to fine the gown.
Jean died at 26 of uremic poisoning as a result of massive kidney failure on June 7, 1937. Back then there wasn't even dialysis never mind kidney transplants so she was on a very fast ticking time clock. It genuinely makes me sad to think that she really had no chance. This photo below is one of my favourites. Technically and in terms of composition it's a fantastic shot and I love that we get to see a glimpse the real Jean without all the makeup.
If this blog has sparked your curiosity for Jean, I definitely recommend watching her films. The easiest films of hers to find are Bombshell which is great, and Dinner At Eight which is a classic!
For a list of all her films click here. I would also suggest reading Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow by David Stenn.
It is a brilliant biography that highlights who the real Jean Harlow was. A quick example; before film crew unions were put in place, they were always making them work long hours with no breaks. On one occasion, when breaks were taken away, Jean ordered in gourmet coffee and pastries and stopped production so the crew could sit and enjoy their coffee. She was all class in spite of what has been written about her. Now go watch her films!!