I loved the Hotelito for all it’s stark shooting situations and shady spots too. Who needs a backdrop when there’s an abundance of natural light and beautiful vivid walls? I knew it would be good shooting when I looked at it online before arriving and definitely was happy when I arrived. I’m enamored by modern architecture and bold lines.
I worked all week with my Nikon FM 35mm and my Rollei. Little cameras that didn’t weigh very much so I wasn’t carrying around tons of gear in the heat. Plus I was scared to pack up my 4×5 with all my Polaroid film for fear Mexican Customs would hassle me on arrival. On the way home at the airport when they were searching my bags before departing they didn’t know what 120 film was, so I may have had a hard time explaining Type 55 Pos/Neg film to them and Sodium Sulfite. Though Steven Billups managed to bring in all his Polaroid film. Though I was happy with all the work accomplished with my little cameras. I ended up shooting more and going back to the camera set up I learned on.
Claudine and I worked together back in 2008 during the 29 Palms festival with my 4×5, so good that I had something different with me to get a different look. We had the opportunity to work together twice this time around. This is our first shoot. We didn’t wander too far away from that fabulous swimming pool. Shoot 10 minutes, jump in, shoot 20 minutes, jump in again… that was my week really. Claudine is quite an enigma, in a good way. She seems so unassuming in person but when you point a camera in her direction this intense confidence pops out and lends itself to inspiration. She’s great to work with!
It’s always great to start the week off shooting with someone you’ve known for ages. Love working with Candace!
Mostly shot with my trusty Rollei and Ilford Pan F 50. I love the Ilford 50/Rollei matchup. The textures and shadows I get with this film make my mouth water just a little. It’s a very luxurious film that lends itself quite well to my love of dark bits. Very rich.
We started working a bit earlier than I like. I usually love working around noon so that I can really push the limits of the contrast. I can see all you photographers shaking your head at me, but that’s how I like it! I don’t care for soft shades with my work… I want them harsh and dramatic. I can appreciate the early morning light and the late afternoon light even better. I just find, for me, that there’s still an abundance of goodness with harsh noon light. I picked that up when working with toy cameras, holgas and dianas. You need a lot of light with these cameras. I guess I never got used to getting up early either. Not my cup of coffee. And I need at least 3 of those before I begin. Better than smoking pot I guess. ha.
We finished earlier and dropped down into the little shop area of Todos Santos. We ate lunch at Los Adobes then Candace sampled some tequila, and I managed to get a few snap shots. All in time to be back for the model group shoot which I already posted. 🙂
I started a new “tradition” last year in Australia. It seemed only fitting that I do it again.
There will be video soon…
Every model who was at the festival!
Claudine, Ella Rose, Anoush Anou, Meghan, Stephanie Anne, Kiera Grant, Rebecca Lawrence, St. Merrique, Candace Nirvana, Brooke Lynne, Carlotta Champagne, Samantha Grace, Anne Duffy, Tara Tree and Sara Liz. Thank you, Ladies! Stay tuned for the video!
Since the festival has completed my home has been full up with Aussies. I’m keeping one, but the others have all left me to muddle through film and edits. I’ve decided that collecting Australians must be a hobby of mine. I think I like them. They all seem to have been brought up appropriately. They even help me clean when I’m not looking. And they leave me pretty orange flowers (thanks Mick and JC). But enough of that…
How about some pictures of a goat named Boots and Stephanie? I absolutely love Jenny at Hotelito for allowing us to have fun picture making with her goat.
I’ve yet to be overtly critical with any of these images. Sometimes every image on the roll says a little something. I usually figure out that ONE shot after I’ve had a chance to divorce myself from the day, the editing and the here and now feeling when the shoot is still so fresh in your head. Merrique is an amazing model and that makes the editing process that much harder.
I had been looking at this door at the Casa Dracula for quite some time online. I thought Merrique and I were going to get in the car and drive to the boat dock in La Paz and head over to one of the islands for our shoot, but Todos Santos kind of kept me from leaving… (you can never leave…) and maybe the pink champagne on ice had a thing or two to do with that, but I really think it was the heat. Heat that I’m missing right now. brr!
I love Billy’s breakdown of events so much and very happy Tara picked up on it and has started her’s also. I thought about what mine would sound like and started going through past emails, thought about the insanity of putting the event together and all the mishaps along the way in order to finally make it to Mexico and decided that maybe I should keep the blog completely and totally light hearted and fun. It’s better for me to sit and listen to all the good stuff people have to say… the back outs and people canceling at the last minute somehow seem lessened in their impact when I see how much fun people had. So, I’m going to leave them at the wayside, remember not to invite those people again, and focus on how totally awesome the entire week was.
I could not have done it without the help of a few V(ery)I(mportant)P(eople). These VIPs have been involved with me for years and know how to sort it, I don’t have to tell them much of anything, I just say go for it and it rolls through and it gives me a time to relax after all the organizing and last minute chaos that happens. The festival would not be the same without their help. So a massive thank you to Michael Marlborough for dealing with the slide shows, organizing over $4,000.00 worth of sponsorship and for being an awesome big bro! Ron Skei for organizing all the rides for models to and from the airport, making sure they get home from parties OK, and generally being a massive help. And Stephanie Anne for being my voice. I’m shy in front of a crowd (even in friendly company) when it comes to speaking and having Stephanie there to take the reigns when we have announcements eases me. Put me on Rollerskates and ask me to do cartwheels in front of 100,000 people … no problem… put me in front of a crowd and ask me to speak? No habla Ingles! So, thanks Steph!
I’m so happy everyone had such a great time! Once I arrived, it was perfect! I had one great time myself. I miss the pool at the Hotelito so badly! I have a massive pile of snap shots from our parties taking by Michael Marlborough I plan on blogging soon, so stay tuned. Our group shot is SCHWEET! We even have a group video. Among other things! haha
I just finished developing, scanning and editing all the images Ella Rose and I made while we were there. I lucked out and got to work with her twice, very happy about that. She’s really a lovely person and has this very English way about her. Very posh and lady like. I approve. And over 75 images later… I’m definitely happy with the work we created. Hopefully our paths will cross again soon.
One of the things I loved about Todos Santos were the wild horses roaming around. One let me pet her on the nose. Now I’m back in Los Angeles wanting a horse really badly. Anyone wanna come raise a barn? 🙂
Communicating (photo by my husband)Wild Horses on a Mexican Road
It’s been Aussie Central here at Casa Zoe. Michael and Jacinta stayed for a spell and for me the fest is now over. DO NOT LIKE GOODBYES. See you all next week!
So, the developing has started and the goal is next week. Getting the film is muy importante, but I can share a few iPhone shots until then… now that I’m at my computer. Yeah. Hope you like.
I’m sitting in the parking lot of Whole Foods as a friend shops for her hippy food waiting. So out of boredom I thought I’d upload a few snap shots from Todos Santos.
The drive back was pretty uneventful except for the wandering moo cow in the middle of a bit of construction. As I’m snapping the photo Candace reflected on the guy urinating on the side of the road. Made for a great giggle.
Todos Santos is a cute little town, I’d go back even just for a weekend get away. The Hotelito is great for that. LOVE it there. Can’t wait to get the photos Michael Marlborough shot from our dinner with The Mechanic in Chef, Iker who fixed about 15 different dishes representing different regions in Mexico. The food was to die for. Unfortunately I think I gained weight that night. Ha. Brilliant. Jenny, the owner, was such an amazing host and took such great care of all of us.
So until we get those photos please enjoy a few random snaps of different things. 🙂
