Since the day my son was born we would read to him every night before bed. To me it is more than just sharing stories with my son, but a guarantied moment in my hectic day to share a moment of pure imagination and take a journey with our minds together. We read everything from Peter Pan, to books about cars, truck and spaceships.
This series, although short represents to me the thoughts that I feel are going through my son's head when we read books together. I hope one day he will look back on these images and they will spark memories of not only the adventures in the books but the adventures we shared with each other that were highly influenced by the words we read before bed.
This shoot was one that took me really far outside of my comfort zone! This shoot would have been a big fail if it wasn't for the team that helped me! Thanks!
Dancer: Katia Garza & Israel Rodriguez
Make-up and assistance: LuAndra Whitehurst
Photo assistance: James Terfone
Make-up by:
Matthew Sprunger
Make-up: Laura Danbridge
Model: Yanire Acra
Make-up: Laura Danbridge
Model: Yanire Acra
Make-up and Hair: LuAndra Whitehurst
Model: Brooke White
Assistance: Krystine Lopez
This is my first attempt at an idea that popped into my head a few months ago. The concept seemed simple enough. A high fashion make-up with a very soft lighting on the subjects face quickly fading into a silhouette of her hair creating a Kraken, and destroying a pirate ship. My vision was nothing like the final image that was created. My goal was to create everything and leave very little for photoshop.
Then reality set in during the shoot! The mind is very tricky and can create things that may work in theory but not in a practical situation. But all is not lost! I am satisfied with the final result and learned a ton of new lessons that will make the second attempt at this image a success! Keep an eye out for the image later on in the year!
Thank you for stopping by!
Much Respect
Rich Johnson, AD
Nothing says “I love you,” like a Zombie ridden honeymoon, with heads exploding, and body parts dragging…right? Well, it does for our married couple Alexandra and Bill McCoy. Professional make-up artists by day, and Zombie ninjas by night, this couple have an affinity for the supernatural. After spending their early married years as lead makeup artists for Europa parks Horror Nights, the couple wanted to make their “Trash the Dress” session even more memorable than ever. With the help of our inspired and talented couple, friends and volunteers, we were able to create this amazing rendition of the walking dead—breathing new “life” into the phrase “Till death do us part.”
Rich “The Brain” Johnson: Mastermind behind the lens and concept of “Till death do us part.”
Caressa “The Heart” Johnson: Flushing life into the story with her script and direction.
Alex & Bill McCoy “The Deadly Duo”: Not only responsible for the demise of the zombies, but for the creation of them. Not only a quick hand with a gun, but with a make-up brush, turning any civilian into a terrifying zombie.
“Zombies” Andy Howard, Laundra Whithurst, Krystine Lopez, Kellie Murphy, Matt Chiri: Falling to the quick hands of The Deadly Duo, this group of walking dead nearly cut the happy couple’s marriage short, with their incessant hunger for warm blood.
Douglas “The Eyes” Howard: There to capture every moment of production through the eyes of this talented cinematographer, Douglas has the footage to ward off any other hungry zombies.
David “Snapshot” O’Connell: Like in sports, everyone needs to see themselves in action to strategize improvements for their next plan of action. Photographer O’Connell was there to capture those moments before, during and after the project in order to give a snapshot into the day.
CJ “Unsuspecting By-Stander” Smith: Like most people in the wrong place at the wrong time, CJ was there to lend a helping hand in assisting the crew in taking down the zombies.
Collin “The Hammer” Coughenour: What is a Zombie take-down without heavy artillery? As a precaution, and honeymoon gift, Collin lent his collection of guns to the deadly duo for protection—good thing to.
“The Law” Mike & Helen Hofman: caretakers and owners of The Car Spa in Orlando, FL, the land in which the Zombies invaded.
Make-up by: LuAndra Whitehurst
Make-up: LuAndra Whithurst
Creative Assistance: Caleb Morgan
Production Assistance: Emily Bradly
Photography & Post: Rich Johnson
Make-up: Britton Goro
Model: Lauren Oh
Photography & Post: Rich Johnson
Photography: Rich Johnson & Caressa Koory Johnson
Make-up: LuAndra Whithurst
Models: Krystine Lopez, Coral Rivera, Kaley Jarvis
Hair: Alexandra McCoy
Body art & Make-up :Nix Herrera
Photography & Post: Rich Johnson
A few months back I was contacted by Meka, the lead singer of a band named Meka Nism. She asked if I would be interested in creating some creative promo shots for her newly formed band. When I arrived at the shoot I was so impressed with how unique the bands style was. This was going to be an amazing session! Here is a description of the band (directly from their site).
Meka Nism
A female fronted musical experience with no particular style but their own. An all encompassing machine built to awaken your senses. You owe it to yourself to understand the Meka Nism.
Upon returning from Japan in 2010 with a collection of unique songs, Meka re-united with longtime friends Reed Tyack and Alvin Bauer to take the music to the next level. They emerged with a new sound that equaled the power and versatility of her lyrics and vocals. To fully manifest the vision, the last two pieces were set in place. Bobby "The Ripper" Keller added his technical melody and ferocious shredding on lead guitar and James Chaos to not only complete the instrumental aspect but also added the visual expression of the experience.
Photgraphy & touch-up: Rich Johnson