Greetings faithful followers, loyal friends, and random stumble uponers. 2+ months since I last posted something? How time flies. I have been on the site now and then, but nowhere near as much as I once was. I can't say that my activity will increase, but I should try to pop on more often.
We had some absolutely crazy weather this past February: quite a bit of rain. Two weeks ago we had snow that actually stuck to the ground... several inches in some places. And this past week it's been in the 70s. Nucking Futs!
If you're going to be in Las Vegas, Nevada the weekend of March 16-17, Mrs. DeadGuitarist and I are having a Housewarming Open House (and studio tour) on Saturday, 16 March 2019 from 1 PM to 9 PM, and you're welcome to stop by. Just PM me and I'll send you the address.
As I mentioned in my last blog, Mrs. DeadGuitarist and I moved into a new house 2 days before Christmas. Everything has been arranged since the end of January. I don't have photos of all the rooms (unfortunately, I don't have a saved walkthrough video either), but I do have photos of the spaces I use for photo sessions.
I bring in a hair and makeup professional for my paying clients, which is done in our master bathroom. I could do some bathtub (milk, bath bomb, bubble bath) shoots in there too. The bedroom is upstairs next to the guest bathroom, which is where clients change clothes and spruce up hair and makeup as needed. There is a large walk-in shower that I can use for shots too. Unfortunately, that guest bathroom is small. There is a large closet next to the guest bathroom. Eventually, we are going to rip everything out of the bathroom, knock down the wall between the bathroom and closet, and completely remodel the bathroom, with a large walk-in shower... large enough to put a stand alone bathtub in, single sink, Hollywood style vanity, and a changing area with a small clothes rack.
I can also use the backyard and front porch for shots. There's also space in the loft if I want to do some shoots with backdrops. And once I get the exercise room done, I can shoot in there too. And I do shoot on location... hotels, Airbnbs, and a variety of outdoor locations all over southern Nevada, southern California, southwestern Utah, and northwestern Arizona.
In case I didn't mention it before, I'm specializing in boudoir photography (as well as SG style photo sessions). I get a lot of satisfaction in helping women feel beautiful, gain confidence, and boost their self-esteem. My company is Phantasy Photos LLC. Here is my mission statement:
Through boudoir photography Phantasy Photos LLC, a Las Vegas based glam/chic photo studio, enables women of all backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, and body types to begin a journey of discovery, self-expression, and self-love. We help women liberate themselves from their insecurities, empowering them to let the confident, beautiful, radiant, elegant angels emerge from within.
I had 4 photo sessions in February. I actually had more scheduled than that, but one cancelled at the last minute, and I've been ghosted by several more women, which really sucks. I thought I had almost $4000 in sales but one lady had trouble getting PayPal credit, and the second lady never paid her payment plan down payment. More suckiness. But I push on... hopefully next weekend's clients will confirm their photo session appointments and actually show up.
Here are some of the photos from my February photo sessions (they all signed agreements allowing me to use their photos).
GINI
ABOVE: Before and after hair and makeup
MANDY
ALISHIA
ABOVE: Before and after hair and makeup
ABOVE: Everyone loves shooting with Teddy. Pretty sure Teddy likes it too!
MICHELLE
Michelle was not a paying client. She's a model (and a rapper), so we did a TFP session. But I wanted to get her into my studio because she has an amazing and powerful story that should resonate with potential clients.
ABOVE: She even posed for some photos without her prosthetics. The above photo has not yet been edited.
Michelle is a double amputee. She was badly burned from the waist down by scalding hot water when she was 14 months old.
I can't do her story justice; you have to hear it for yourself. She told her story and gave me a testimonial on video: https://www.facebook.com/fantasyfotoslv/videos/2256051594641081/
She has a master's degree in music from Full Sail University, which if you are into music, you know it's the best university for music related degrees (musicians, vocalists, producers, engineers, etc.) in the US. She aspires to get her PhD in Philosophy and Physical Therapy. She is a confident, beautiful, amazing, and inspiring young woman. It's time well spent to watch the 5+ minute video.
If she can do this, anyone can.
So, that's what's been going on the past two months in my world.
Hopefully, I won't get ghosted by anyone in March and I make a couple of sales.
Stay Tuned...
DeadGuitarist
