Seeing Yourself in Beauty and in Decay...Photographer Ricky Davis

Seeing yourself in the Beauty and the Decay – By Ricky Davis

Back in 2013, I began a series which I titled Beauty in the Decay. I had been inspired by the work of the amazing Karen Jerzyk who goes into abandoned buildings and shoots nude models. The work is mind blowing and very powerful. Now I don’t shoot nude models, the most that I shoot is implied, but I really liked the idea of doing a series that pits beauty in the midst of decay, from my perspective. I feel that this can open up a lot of questions. What is beauty, really what is decay?

I shot two photos for the series in 2013, and none in 2014. I got a little off track. Recently I decided I wanted to began it again and had the opportunity to work with the amazing Liz Price for a new image to add into it.

A few weeks ago I posted the image above on Facebook and Instagram and I asked the question of what people feel, or what are their thoughts regarding what’s happening in the photo. I held my own opinion back until now. I wanted to share a few of the responses that I received about this photo.

“She feels alone in a society that says her body doesn’t fit the standards for beautiful.” Amanda C.

“Longing for her dreams, hope that’s lost” Carol Ann M.

“She’s feeling embarrassed or shunned. Lack of confidence, yearning to be accepted.” Kellie H.

“I see someone who has hit rock bottom, and this is the moment she decides to take her life back! 
I feel like her thoughts are, “screw the world! Wait until they see what I have coming for them!” (In a positive sense)
For me, it seems like a moment of transformation!” Trevor L. 

“Remembering what once was…” Christy G.

” I see someone reflecting waiting for a change who is to know if it is good or bad” Kennedy G.

“Loneliness looking out into the darkness for a single ray of light.” Gregory A.

Those were responses on Facebook, here’s some of what people on Instagram had to say.

“A very foreboding, dark, & sinister look. Emotionally I’m intrigued on what the subject sees outside the window.” VIntageterrance

“I feel sad. I feel like she got left at the alter and she is soo misrable she still has on her wedding crenlen slip, and is staring outside waiting for her groom to show up…..” Mrsham1993

“To me it feels forlorn…like she’s waiting on someone who never came” DarthCrowe

As I started reading the comments as they were being posted, the thought resonated with me, especially as I knew a few of the people commenting, with things that were going on in their lives. They weren’t necessarily just viewing Liz as a model in some far off photograph, some were seeing themselves in her place. My idea was justified a few minutes later when Carol Ann commented ” You know, after reading everyone’s response, I think that our critique is how we actually feel unsure emoticon or maybe it’s just me.”

So what is the purpose of art? Sometimes I think it’s helpful for us to grow and to sort through things that we are dealing with when we can step out of ourselves and see it in third person. Much the way that some were able to step into Liz’s position and relate.

For me, this photograph is a symbol of hope and beauty. Yes, the room is trashed, and it’s dark and bleak. Yes, she’s not airbrushed, liquified, and the like. It’s gritty and the location doesn’t seem too inviting. The curtains to the window are drawn, except for where she’s holding them apart. She’s not looking behind her at the disheveled mess that’s in the past, but she’s looking forward through the window into what’s to come. Too often we focus on the distractions around us instead of looking ahead. We don’t know what’s to come, but we already know what’s behind us. That’s what it makes me feel anyway.

I hope that you like the image and will stay tuned for more.

Ricky

If you’d like to work with me, trd@trdphotography.com

Tattoo Model - Photo of the Day - Raven Lee - TRD Photography

Tattoo Model Raven Lee

Raven has become one of my best friends over the years. She's such a sweet, authentic person and that's pretty hard to find. This set we shot in North Georgia. The above photo I wanted to keep a real, natural feel to it. The only photoshop work done on this was adjusting the colors. No airbrushing/liquifying type stuff at all. I hope you dig it.

Ricky - TRD Photography 

Chattanooga, TN - www.trdphotography.com - www.facebook.com/trdphotography

FInd me on Twitter/IG/Snapchat/Pinterest - @trd_photography

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

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. 

Throwback Thursday - Hotels Project with Raven Lee

Photo of the Day - 2/19/2015 - Throwback Thursday - The Hotel Series with Raven Lee

One of my absolute favorite people in the world happens to be Ms. Raven Lee. I met her back in early 2012 and have had so many amazing, artistic shoots with this lady. She's been one of the sweetest, most genuine souls I've ever met! One thing about Raven that I've not ever seen at her level is how prepared she always is. Her specialty is really in nailing artistic shoot and she goes above and beyond in planning. I've never seen anyone else like her! 

I chose this photo to share with you guys today because this one came from one of my projects! It's a project that I've not really worked on since 2013 and I'd like to get it rolling again this year. It's what I called the Hotel Project. The basis of it came from the idea of working towards a book project featuring more character driven b&w shots done at hotels. Different places with different vibes. 

Even though this was one of our lesser planned out sets, it's still one of my absolute fav sets. We went for more of the old Hollywood starlet feel, with her look and with the edit. 

Be sure to go check her out on Facebook below.

www.facebook.com/theravenlee 

Be sure to stay tuned to the blog as I have a video project coming up with her VERY soon. :)

You can check out more of my work at....

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

Email - trd@trdphotography.com - www.trdphotography.com

I'm Ricky Davis and I'm based in the Chattanooga, TN area. .