so after my new years resolutions blog New Years Resolutions it has come to my attention by @viridiana that I have touched on repeatedly on the topic of my project Retro Equality without ever really explaining in full what it is about!
so hold onto your hats ima going to drop some knowledge on youss
(this logo was designed for us by a fabulous designer and illustrator Matt Reid)
Retro Equality started as a small community project for a national pinup comp I was apart of. I just wanted to so a photoshoot of me and a girl to help promote marriage equality and gay rights. especially being engaged to my partner for nearly 19 months now just waiting for it to become legal in Australia, this topic means a lot to me. The right to get married to someone you love isnt something the government should have such a strong control over.
ANYWAY I put my idea out into the world on my Cherry Buttons FB Page
and BAM I received such a huge response of photographers, models, HMUA and just general people wanting to be involved that I made it big, bigger than I imagined. Creating set together couples out of the 6 models who could make certain dates ect I carefully paired girls together who I though complimented each other. As well as organizing a photographer for each couple. And creating 3 scenes for each couple to be apart of. I wrote up briefs for every scene, for the models, for the photographers, schedules for the shoot days, releases for them to sign, talking to businesses for locations, buying props, baking for some scenes, you name it I did it trying to make everything move smoothly. Many late nights at my computer in bed.
The scenes are basically normal things couples do together, waking up next to each other, shopping, dancing, a massive picnic, stuff like that. there was 11 scenes all up after we quickly put together a Christmas one in December. Over 10 final images for each scene. I have a big collection of over 100 photos that are owned by the project.
We even had the fabulous team that is @countess and @exkyu working as one of the models and photographer for one couple which was awesome. Was great to work on something together.
We slowly got out logo and our Facebook Page as well as our instagram page @RetroEquality
We had 2 articles come out about our project, highlighting the fact I overall won that pinup comp that this project was created for as well as winning best talent, best outfit and best community project. These articles were in The Inner West Courier and City Central Mag and online for the Daily Telegraph (facts were kinda iffy)
We are in the final stages of printing hard and soft cover photo books to sell at this years Fair Day if our application goes well (its quite expensive!) Sydney Fair Day 22nd Feb
And RIGHT NOW are selling 2015 Calenders on Etsy =D
We are also going to be apart of the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade This year with a bunch of pinups!!
Its been a lot of work.. and money we have a very slow moving Go Fund Me Account to help me cover the costs for all this, so far everything has come out of my money.
SO yeah I think thats pretty much it in a big sorta nutshell!! oh we have our first photos released in Alter Life Magazine that came out today in Issue 4!! and having a number of other submissions coming out over the next couple months ^_^
Its all very big and exciting! Its very quickly become my baby this project Ive put my heart, soul and tears into it... I hope you like what youve read! buy a calendar! check out of FB page and if you have any questions just comment and ask!!
Cherry xx
