"New York State of Mind" and other expressions w/ Violet Vixen!

Good evenings, Steemit. I’m sitting at a very hot, humid @caffetto coffee shop. It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve made a post. I’ve been trying to balance different areas of my life, all at the same time. When I returned from LA this past trip, I felt an usual sense of ease. All the things that were stressing me out before I left, seemed insignificant […or at least not as urgent] once I returned. I vowed to retain that approach to life, and I’ve been doing a decent job. A couple times this week, I took a nap, @vermillionfox and I read comics in bed, and today, I sat aside a few hours to beat the living shit out of @tarotbyfergus in Magic: The Gathering! Man, nothing makes me feel more zen than turning his hope in to despair. 

Quickly, for anyone reading and wondering, I’ll be announcing the winner of this weeks’ Trail by Comics “Superheroes” competition. I have to talk a minute to thank and praise everyone that entered! This contest is really coming in to it’s own and the talent making entries is incredible! Please consider entering future Trial by Comics if you draw, sketch, paint [...eventually, write...as I'm already considering a script competition]. I want to see how this thing develops with more and more participants, plus you're almost definitely guaranteed a vote and/or resteem from me! Starting next week, and for the next month, @danielkiessler will be co-sponsoring “Trial by Comics”. He’ll be matching my rewards for the winner, for a consistent 50 SBD throughout the rest of September and in to October. @danielkiessler is an incredible artist himself, already making an impact in the Steemit art community, so give him a follow!

Tonight’s work spans over a year of work, from various shoots with my NYC based muse, Violet Vixen. I’ve shared some of my work with her in my previous blog, “Uptown girl!”, but these are new edits I finished this evening. Steemit is the only place I’ve shared them thus far, so I’d love feedback or constructive criticism.

Violet came to me just over a year ago, and we shot together in a jaw dropping condo with floor to ceiling windows on the 40th floor, high above Manhattan. She brought with her a remarkable collection of lingerie from most of my favorite designers, and wardrobe collections that were, without exaggeration, museum quality. One of which was a Fortuny gown, which until that day, I didn’t realize the significance and privilege to shoot such a coveted piece of history. Our first shoot together, both of us realized our obviously creative energy while collaborating. 

We shot again months later in NYC, capturing an entirely different collection of lingerie. This past Spring, we met in Vegas during Viva Las Vegas. We woke up with the sun and drove to Bonnie Springs, shooting against a gorgeous backdrop of mountains and Joshua trees. Violet wrapped herself in colorful fabrics and moved gracefully along the Nevada desert while I followed her, capturing deeply emotive images.

Finally, this past July, I met her again, in NYC. We shot at a beautiful, historic hotel. Not surprisingly, she had another array of one of a kind, vintage wardrobe pieces. Delicate black lace, see through white robes and interested props and accessories. Lighting was more of a challenge than usual since it was mostly all overhead illumination, but I managed to position her under the lamps for a few shots. As always, she killed it with her pose, expression and emotion. We achieved what we were aiming to create. She’s always one of my favorite clients. Such a privilege to work with such a knowledgeable, capable and exceptional model.

Thanks for reading. For more photography, art, illustration and the stories behind the work, follow me here at @kommienezuspadt. Also, check back here tomorrow afternoon for the winner of Trial by Comics and the new theme! Thanks, Steemit!