Behind the Scenes at a TRD Photography Event

BTS at the Feb 22nd Blowout...

On February 22nd we offered a special event at the TRD Photography studio. We'd done some renovating and decided to celebrate by offering a big discount day. We had a great day with seven ladies booking slots. It got extremely hectic and I didn't get to video as much as I had planned, but we put together some short clips as well as some of the edited images from several of the ladies to kinda give a glimpse into the day.

I wanna thank my pal, Raven Lee, for assisting me that day. She was a huge help. Raven and I have a special video project of our own that'll be debuting here in the near future. Check out some of the final product below of several of the amazing ladies I got to work with that day!

much love and thanks for all the continued support,

Ricky

www.trdphotography.com - www.facebook.com/trdphotography

IG - Twiiter - Pinterest - @trd_photography - Chattanooga, TN

Model April Bijou - TRD Photography

Model Ania De Von - TRD Photography

Lucia Silveria - TRD Photography - Her first ever professional shoot and she rocked it!

Model TIffany Merriman - TRD Photography

Model Raven Lee - TRD Photography -

Photo of the Day - April Bijou - 2/21/2015

Photo of the Day - April Bijou - 2/21/2015 - TRD Photography

This was one of my favorites from 2015. I met April at the Chattanooga Tattoo Convention and she booked a session with me. She blew me away at our shoot! I'm really stoked as tomorrow I'll be getting to do another session with April as she booked one of my slots from my special studio session I offered recently. 

So stay tuned to see some more killer work from this young lady. You can follow her FB page at the following...

www.facebook.com/pages/April-Bijou-Modeling/472890502857230

Follow more of my work at the following as well.

www.facebook.com/trdphotography - IG, Twitter, and Pinterest - @trd_photography 

www.trdphotography.com - trd@trdphotography.com - Chattanooga, TN

Flashback Friday - Mandi Mayhem -

Flashback Friday - Model Mandi Mayhem - POTD 2/20/2015

Let's face it, I've got some absolutely amazing friends. Mandi is just a mind blowing talented lady and all around awesome person. This was from our last set that we got to shoot. It was featured in Ink Revolution when I was still working with it. 

Go check out Mandi's FB page at  www.facebook.com/pages/Mandi-Mayhem/139923119450671 

View more of my work at the following. 

www.facebook.com/trdphotography - Twitter & IG - @trd_photography

trd@trdphotography.com - www.trdphotography.com

As always, I'm Ricky of TRD Photography and I'm based in the Chattanooga, TN area. My studio is a stones throw from Chattanooga in Cleveland. I specialize in model photography but I also work with bands and businesses in creating a unique look to help brand their image. Hit me up if you're interested. 

Photo of the Day 2/17/2015 - Vanessa Michelle

Photo of the Day 2/17/2015

This photo is one of my recent favorites. Vanessa and I go back a good ways. We met up at a local fav location of mine and did some more "pretty" almost fashionesque work which we hadn't really done before. I loved this angle and the lighting was fantastic! 

Be sure to check out more of Vanessa's work. She is also one of my cohorts in our "alternative collective" The 86'd.

Visit Vanessa at www.facebook.com/vanessamichellefilth 

Visit the 86'd at www.facebook.com/wearethe86d

Visit me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trdphotography

Instagram & Twitter - @trd_photography  Email - trd@trdphotography.com

Photo of the Day 2/16/2015

Between Two Worlds 

This shot came from another shoot that we were doing at the time. I love doing shoots in the water. There's just something magical with it. After we were finished doing the original shot, I asked Daniel Wilbanks, one of the hands in our other photo if I could get a capture of him reaching up once more. He obliged, and this shot was born.

Enjoy,

Ricky

www.trdphotography.com - www.facebook.com/trdphotography - trd@trdphotography.com Twitter & IG - @trd_photography

Photo of the Day - 2/15/2015

Photo of the Day - 2/15/2015

I debated over and over, what should I start this photo of the day deal with on my blog. I decided to start it out with one of my favorite images that brings in aspect of my faith. 

I took this image at a local cemetery. I love shooting images of statues, when you look at them from different angles and perspectives, it's incredible the amount of emotion they have. This particular image grabbed my attention. This is also the first time that I've ever edited a statue type image in more of my vintage feel and worked it more to fit my vision. I really loved the results.

It's not always a popular thing to say, and sometimes I catch flak all around, but what I do as a photographer results from Faith. I mentioned it in my about me section. I'm far from perfect but my work is my calling in life. I have no doubts of this. It's one of the reasons that I think this image means so much to me. 

Enjoy,

Ricky

www.trdphotography.com - www.facebook.com/trdphotography - Email  trd@trdphotography.com - Twitter & IG - @trd_photography

Talking Puncture Wounds Clothing with JD Hicks

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Talking Puncture Wounds Clothing with JD Hicks

I first ran into JD way back in 2012 when I just started hitting the alternative market hard. We connected through some models that were modeling his work. JD has shown me a lot of support in various ventures since, and I've really enjoyed seeing his vision for PWC expand. Recently I had a conversation with JD about where his vision is going. I'm also going to share some various photos I've taken for PWC. 

 Ricky - JD, what's new with PWC? 

JD -We just closed out on another very productive year. Being a small clothing line out of Eastern Kentucky and making the progress that we have made in a few short years is unbelievable. And we owe it all to the people who support us day in and day out. The Puncture Wounds Clothing family continues to grow daily. We are in the process of dropping a few new designs and looking into setting up a few events in the new year.

Model - Jessi Anne - Photo TRD Photography 2012 - Puncture Wounds Clothing

Ricky - Tell us how PWC got started man.

JD - It started out as an outlet for me to help display some artwork by a couple of my extremely talented friends who own tattoo shops and for me to start up a fun little hobby. The very first item for sale from Puncture Wounds Clothing was customized canvas shoes that were decorated with sharpies. 

Ricky - Very cool! I didn't realize that about the shoes. You guys have really done a lot of work with bands and in the music industry. Who have you guys sponsored as well as what, if any plans do you guys have in 2015 in the music scene?

JD - We've had the opportunity to clothe the backs of so many musicians and bands. Or family of bands consists of Another Lost Year from Charlotte, Elisium from Virginia, Almost Kings from Atlanta, Shallow Side from Cullman Alabama, Screaming for Silence out of Nebraska, Artifas out of Memphis, Crashing Broadway, Zero Dark Thirty, Royal Bliss, and Uncrowned.

We've also had the pleasure of Clothing national acts such as The Butcher Babies, Devour the Day, Pop Evil, Gemini Syndrome, and the Almighty Sevendust! We also met up with Marilyn Manson at a show in Columbus to deliver some gear to him.

We will be working with some more bands heading into the new year! May even see us set up a festival or two slinging some shirts

Model Alexys Graves and Tattoo Artist Kitty Konniption - Photo - TRD Photography - Shires by Puncture Wounds Clothing

Ricky - There are so many clothing companies out there in the alt scene, what makes PWC different?

JD - PWC isn't just a clothing company man. We are a family. Our goal is to bring as many talented people together as possible. We are looking to take over the world together.

Ricky - There's definitely no better goal than world domination brother! Where can people find links to check out PWC and pick up some gear?

JD - You can find us on 

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pwc23 

Instagram - @puncturewounds

Twitter - @pwounds

Website - http://www.pwclothing.com 

Hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about Puncture Wounds Clothing. Be sure to check them out and support small businesses! 

If you'd like to book a session with me, I've only got a couple slots left open for February, and I'm beginning to book for March. I'm based in Chattanooga TN but I travel when I have enough clients in an area. Find my work at the following links.

www.trdphotography.com - www.facebook.com/trdphotography - instagram @trd_photography - Twitter - @trd_photography - Email trd@trdphotography.com

Ink Revolution - Interview with BMX pro Caleb Ruecker

Ink Revolution - Issue #2 interview with BMX pro Caleb Ruecker

One of the highlights for me in 2013 while I was out in Portland, Oregon was getting to meet and work with Caleb. I met Caleb through a mutual friend, who just happens to be a killer model, Lucille Suicide. Caleb and I shot some photos and it was just great conversation. Recently Caleb has been doing some insane long exposure photos in and around Portland. You should check him out on Instagram @calebrueckersphotos  You won't be disappointed! Below is the interview that we did in Ink Revolution Magazine, issue #2.

IR: How did you get started in BMX?

Caleb: I have always had a BMX growing
up, but got really into it after I had a bad 
skateboarding accident. I fell in love with
BMX and knew it was my dream, my 
passion, and my life.

IR: What is your best memory from being
on the tour?

Caleb: Oh man, there are so many! I would
have to say riding for Metal Bikes and riding,
traveling, and becoming friends with all my 
peers and all the dudes I looked up to when I 
was just a little BMX rat. They are all amazing
memories and I wouldn’t leave any of em out.

IR: Where are some of the coolest places you
got to visit in your travels? 

Caleb: Back east and Montreal for sure. I loved
New York and Boston. Fun memories for sure! 
I really enjoyed just pushing through different
states with a van full of rad dudes, just seeing
different things go by.

IR: When you were out on the road, how big 
were tattoos in the BMX culture?

Caleb: It definitely wasn’t. I remember seeing
a bunch of BMX dudes all bare skinned and 
before you knew it they were all blasted out. 
It kinda fell into the ‘thing to do’, but you 
should never rush anything, especially tattooing
your whole body. 

IR: I wholeheartedly agree! When did
you get your first tattoo? 

Caleb: Haha. I got it when I was 14 years
old and I got it done in a Hells Angels house.

IR: That’s just what the health inspectors
like to hear. You’re working in a shop in
Portland now, right?

Caleb: Haha. Right? Yes, I work at Lady 
Luck Tattoo in Portland, Oregon. I have 
been a part of this tattoo shop since 2002
and I love it and everyone here.

IR: That’s awesome bro! What do you do 
there?

Caleb: I run the front, aka, I’m the shop bitch.

IR: What’s one word of advice for those going
to a shop for the first time?

Caleb: Always look at the artist portfolios and
do your homework, no matter what you hear
about the artists. And don’t be afraid to ask 
questions or voice concerns you may have.

IR: Great advice! What are your upcoming plans? 
Any traveling?

Caleb: Yes! I plan to fill my backpack up and 
grab my bike and go wherever the pavement
takes me. Not sure where yet, but thats the best
part about taking that leap and going with the wind.

IR: Sounds amazing man! We wish you all the 
best on your journey!

I hope that you enjoyed checking out that interview from Ink Revolution #2 with Caleb. All photos were taken by me, TRD Photography. We'll be sharing some more interviews from Ink Revolution magazines, as well as I've got several new interviews in the works as well. 

If you're interested in my work, I'm based in the Chattanooga, TN area. I am booking sessions for February and March currently. Slots are filling up fast. Check out more of my work at the links below.

www.facebook.com/trdphotography - Instagram @trd_photography - Twitter @trd_photography - Email trd@trdphotography.com - Chattanooga, TN

George...it's me again, George....

An Introduction to my pal, George....

If you've followed my work at all over the last year, you may have seen some photos of my pal George the Ventriloquist doll pop up from time to time. I just thought I'd take some time to introduce you guys to George and give you a little on his backstory.

So I met George a little over a year ago out in a Goodwill in Portland, Oregon. I saw him and he waved me on over and told me he wanted to be a star. So I said "come on." We got back out to Tennessee and he took part in the group shoot for Main Line Ink in October for his photo debut but then he just hung out for a bit. We didn't talk a whole lot for a bit. 

Later in the spring I was about to do a shoot at a carnival that was passing through a small town close to my house and the model was running behind. I was hanging out shooting and I looked in my trunk, and there he was. He called me on over again and said "Dude, c'mon, it's a carnival. The pics will be epic!" So I said "let's do this thing." I decided to post some bts pics on Instagram and I asked him what his name was. I remembered an old inside joke that I had with one of my cousins when we were kids about the name George, so it didn't shock me when he said "just call me George."

We took some pretty awesome stuff and George kinda became a hit on some of my pages as well as his prints got a big reaction from the conventions I went to this year. Recently George got into a pretty epic shoot with model Raven Lee. The above shot is from that set. So just keep an eye out for George. He pokes his head out ever so often, especially on Instagram. If you come shoot with me in my studio, feel free to give him a high five or a hug. He's always poking his head around....

Ricky

www.trdphotography.com - Chattanooga, TN - trd@trdphotography.com

www.facebook.com/trdphotography - IG @trd_photography - Twitter @trd_photography

Thanksgiving, and a little bit of what I'm thankful for....

Thanksgiving and a little bit of what I'm thankful for....

So a lot of times when November rolls around I keep seeing people's social media feeds fill up with daily posts of what they are thankful for.....for several days and then they seem to run out or forget or something. As far as I can recollect, I've not ever posted about what I'm thankful for so I decided to drop that today for something to blog about.

Everyone always says that they are thankful for family and friends, etc. I am too but I want to go a little deeper on the subject of friends. 

I'm really thankful for my career, and beyond the fact that I love that I get to be creative and stuff like that, what I'm really stoked about is the friendships that I have made doing whatever it is that I do. I started shooting professionally back in 2009 and I'm blessed to count so many of those that I began working with back then still as good friends. Many of them have quit modeling, some have moved to other states but it's awesome to still get to see them as I do.

The way that I work, I've gotten to know so many amazing people. There's no way that I can share all the stories, or mention everyone by name, heck I couldn't even fit everyone on the collage that I made for this post. I just wanted to drop a message to thank you all for your friendship. I'm thankful for each and everyone of you guys. Some of you guys we don't get to see each other as often as I'd like, but I think about you guys often and love all the work we've gotten to create over the years. I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I did want to drop a few lines to a few of you guys specifically though. 

Dan - I'm blessed by our friendship dude. I'm stoked to see what God is doing in your life and you've been an enormous inspiration to me in my walk as well. 

Raven - I know you've experienced a lot of loss this year, you are in my thoughts and prayers girl. You are one of the sweetest and most genuine people I've ever met. 

Jourdan - Dude I'm so stoked for you and Q. I hope you guys have a great first Thanksgiving and Christmas as a married couple.

Nea - I'm so honored to have gotten to shoot your maternity photos and that you came back from North Carolina to have me do them. I hope you guys have a great first holidays with your little bundle of awesomeness! 

Kitty & Patrick - I love you guys! I hope you guys can get back to Chattanooga soon! 

Jessika - I'm so stoked that we reconnected and have gotten to make some killer work together. I'm thankful to have gotten to know you a lot better. 

Tootsie - What can I say? I'm stoked that whenever I have a hair brained idea like a photo with worms, you're like "I'm down." 

Christine - Dude, you've been one of my best friends since the beginning of this journey. I'm stoked to have seen the transformation from when we were both starting to seeing you now. You are awesome man! 

Brandy - You're one of my best friends and despite you constantly falling off the face of the earth, I'm stoked to know you. 

Edge - Dude, you're just one awesome person. I think you're one of the few that has more hair brained ideas than I do. I appreciate you letting me shoot at Main Line while I found my own studio when I came back from Portland and you're help with finding extras for our shenanigans. 

Nickie - Dude I've known you since right at the beginning of this whole photography thing. Our shoots helped me grow and learn so much and I really value our friendship over the years. I'm so stoked to see how life has blossomed for you over the years,. Seeing you and Tim and your family grow has just been amazing. 

Jessica W - I'm so stoked to know you and Jonah. He's an amazing little dude and I always enjoy catching up with you! 

Tessa - I'm so glad we got to work together again this year. I hope all is well with you!

Amanda P - I'm so stoked that you've gotten to go back to school and that it's going well for you! You and I have gotta get together again soon and bring Cricket into the mix too! 

Mandi - Dude I have really enjoyed getting to know you over the years. I love all of our work together but I am really glad to count you as a friend first and foremost! 

Steph - I'm so stoked to see where God has lead you in your life. To see you and Ben so happy and surrounded by hairless cats, it's an amazing thing. :) 

Jolee - Dude....that is all. :) Just kidding. I'm so stoked that you're happy and that you've begun life anew with your best friend. 

Chels - Dude, I'm so blessed to know you. I'm so honored to be getting to shoot your's and Michael's big day! You are such a great friend. 

Amberly - I'm glad to see things working out in Florida for you! I've enjoyed working with you over the years. 

Tom - Dude, I'm stoked we got to get together again after all of these years. 

Leighann - I enjoy working with you a lot! You are awesome! 

Vanessa - Girl, you are one of my fav people to work with. Beyond working together I really enjoy that we have become friends over the years. It's always a fun day when we get to hang out and shoot! 

Brandy & Steve - Guys I have really enjoyed getting to know you guys and working with Vintage Vapors. You guys are growing so fast! Can't wait to see what 2015 has lined up for ya'll.

Renee & Polli - Guys, you two make me miss the Northwest so much. I have really enjoyed getting to know you guys and work with ya'll. Crossing my fingers on a trip in 2015. 

Lynn - Bro, I enjoy our conversations at Main Line so much dude. I've learned a lot from you. 

Randi - Come visit Sis! 

Cici - Dude, you're in TN and we still haven't connected in my home state. We gotta change that. I've loved working with you out in Oregon though. lol

Kim & Josh - I've really enjoyed working with you guys and getting to know both of you. 

Jamie - I love being around you and your creative vibe! I hope all is well! 

Shae - Dude, you are so amazing to work with and just to know. I enjoy hanging out with you! 

Mo - I'm so glad that we got to shoot again after all this time! Congrats on getting signed with the agency! 

Tina - I've been blessed this year to meet you and get to know some of your story. I was truly honored to work with you on such a personal project. 

Off the top of my head, that's all I can think of. I've met so many amazing people, I truly hope I didn't leave anyone in particular out. If I did, i am sorry! I just wanted to take a minute to make it a little more personal than just a generic post. 

Ricky

www.facebook.com/trdphotography - IG @trd_photography - Twitter @trd_photography 

TRD Photography - Chattanooga TN - Modeling - Band - Promos