DECREPITUDE BY KRISTI MARTINSON

Editorial Bridal Portraits

After collaborating on the Eno River 2016 editorial project, Kristi and I got together to plan out a winter concept. Weddings being a little slower during the winter in the Triangle area, we wanted to use our time wisely. Still wanting to keep with the bridal theme but staying away from water. Eventually, we came up with “Junk Yard Bridals.” The bridal portion was easy, and the junkyard was impossible. While this series of editorial, bridal portraits seemed simple and straightforward we did run into a few roadblocks along the way.

Junk Yard

After searching the surrounding counties for an appropriate shooting location. I came up with exactly zero locations that would let me shoot on their property. All of them citing safety and liability concerns, which was totally understandable. The location had been a failure for much of November and into December. Plan B was to start finding junk cars on private properties or from friends. This turned out to be the best option.

Thankful for locations

LRC Customs in Youngsville, NC, let us come onto their property and shoot several sessions. JL Auto in Benson let me come in for several hours and shoot in their very warm shop. The rest of the series were shot on private properties throughout Wake, Franklin, Durham, and Granville counties.

Makeup and Hair

Kristi’s approach to this series of editorial, bridal portraits was not to be traditional. Out with the usual bridal hair and makeup and in with the over-the-top and creative. As always I gave her free reign to do as she wished. She incorporated everything from gold, to construction paper, and even flowers. She came up with some great and unique looks for each model.

Winter

It got cold outside! At the end of January, it became very difficult to shoot outdoors without freezing. The portrait sessions slowly moved indoors. We began to find old warehouses and run down homes to shoot in. The goal was to find locations that would match the same aesthetic as the first few sessions. By the end of the winter, we had finished the series, and we were all pleased with the results. At some point we came up with the name “Decrepitude” for the project, referring to the portraits surrounds.

Sofiah Hassouneh

Midway through the winter, on of Kristi’s associates asked if she could contribute to the series. I am always looking to collaborate. Just like Kristi, Sofiah came up with great concepts for the models. She styled most of her hair and makeup on location, which wasn’t always ideal. In a bathroom, on a sidewalk, in a park. She went above at each shoot. Despite the limitations given to her.

Wink Hair + Makeup – http://www.winkhairandmakeup.com