A Tattooing Dad - Interview with Kenneth Chope

Tattoo Artist - Kenneth Chope - TRD Photography

A Tattooing Dad- Interview with Kenneth Chope

Ricky - Hey Kenneth, I really enjoyed meeting you and getting to talk to you abit at our shoot. Give us a little introduction to our readers and tell them a little bit about who you are in a few sentences.

Kenneth - My name is Kenneth Chope. I’m 38 and i reside in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I currently work as a tattooist at White Wizard and have been doing it 3 years. I’m a full time artist as well as a full time father. My love of comic books is what made me go after becoming an artist and also the reason i got into the tattoo chair.

Ricky - Hell yeah man! I didn't realize comics was one of the things that inspired you. Are you a DC or Marvel man?

Kenneth - Honestly a DC fan. The heroes seem more normal and less powers. But I lived vicariously through them as a kid and found my place as a young artist trying to recreate them on paper and failed time after time miserably. My favorite comic book character today is Tattoo. a marvel character who can make their tattoos come to life and such.

Ricky - That's awesome! I'm more a DC dude myself. I don't think I've heard of Tattoo. Reminds me of a dude that showed up on Arrow at one time that he could use his tattoos as weapons to assassinate people. Are you stoked to see Endgame?

Kenneth - I am. I’m ready for it as we all been waiting what feels like an eternity for its release. I’m just hoping for a fight between Thanos and Hulk. Although, I have been thinking Hulk is actually Loki or another character that may have assumed Hulk’s form. But then again I tend to go down the rabbit hole thinking of plots and where the franchise will go in the future.

Tattoo Artist - Kenneth Chope - TRD Photography

Ricky - That sounds alot like my oldest daughter reading up on all the theories about what's happening and why Hulk wouldn't come out in Infinity War. You mentioned fatherhood. How many kids do you have? Are they into comics as well?

Kenneth - I only have one child currently and she’s just starting her comic book collection and she collects walking dead comics. My daughter is my life though and as a single dad I try my best to teach her about everything I can. We both share quite a passion for the arts and she’s just starting her first attempts at trying to draw her own comic book artwork.

Ricky - That is awesome that you guys are able to connect with art and comics. We talked a little bit about it at the shop, but being a single dad and a tattoo artist, how has that been?

Kenneth - Well both of them separately would be great but its a struggle to juggle them both. I love what i do but i work a lot of nights so we tend to see each other every moment I get. My daughter., Acia tends to come to the shop and spend the evenings with me. She will draw while i lay down some lines. These days its much easier but I didn’t have her full time while i was going through my apprenticeship. This last year I got full custody and have been making an effort to teach her in my downtime how to do different styles of art. She says she wants to learn to tattoo in the future and honestly I would love her to learn and be able to do so but as a career I would like her to find something more stable. It’s not that we don’t make a decent living but its hard work. Every hour we work we have three hours of drawing time that week. Every artist is different but I hardly am seen without my iPad drawing or sketching away trying to come up with my next piece to show off. The artist market is competitive and there are quite a few tattooists but people forget that we all have our own styles. The hardest part though of the job is the other artists, we all have to get along but yet were all so different. In many studios artists can build each other up and help each other but some studios they just break each other down and try to scare each other off. But its like any job these days where the competition will try to take down those they feel are a threat. Honestly i try my best to stay out of it all but the shop gossip happens everywhere.

Ricky - I can totally get that. With our kids we want them to achieve great things and let's face it, sometimes people look at some careers and see the glamour and not the hard work and bullshit that goes on behind the scenes at times. We talked a little about art and the competition. It would be a lot more pleasant if we could help change the mentality that we all compete. Art is subjective to the viewer. If we could all push each other to be the best we can be, they'll be a market of people that like what we can offer. How has tattooing changed your life?

Kenneth - Interesting question!!! I used to wake up and put on a shirt and a tie and go to work 12 hours a day as a restaurant manager trying to make ends meet. Now iIm 7 to 8 hours a day or more in the shop and able to just be myself. Sure we still have to censor ourselves and remember we run a business but now my suit is my skin and i’m out here bearing it all to see and putting my skills on the line to see if i can make it in the competitive art field. I love waking every day and creating. At first it was hard but these days it gets easier and easier and i’m developing my style. Looking back i was too afraid to be myself and open up in the restaurant world trying to be a corporate puppet. But now it doesn’t matter. I just kinda do as I please with respect to others and create what I want. Though there are still stigmas when I draw dark art. People are starting to break down the stereotypes that went with tattoos we all saw when we were children.

Tattoo Artist Kenneth Chope - TRD Photography

Ricky - It's such a feeling getting to create and be yourself. What are some of the stereotypes you've encountered with being a single dad that's a tattooer? What about some of the ones based off the kind of art you create?

Kenneth - People think of us as unemployed and feeding off the government while its honestly the opposite. We work hard and enjoy the art. I have had someone ask my daughter who I was and why she was hanging out with a delinquent. We get stares when we are out in public. But i also get praise these days from a lot of mothers telling me its really cool i raise my child to be without bias or stereotypes. I want her to have an open mind and not fight her teachings from when she grew up.

As for my artwork i love to draw the dark side quite a bit and would love to send you a few reference pictures but because i drew a ram skull or rams head. I’m automatically considered satanic when its just another image. Honestly i think people put to much stock in images and beliefs but that’s my opinion. As an artist i’m just trying to move forward and draw a bit of everything.

Ricky - That's really cool man! I think it's important to raise our kids to be open minded and to really evaluate and think things through to know what they believe. These days so many believe what they are told and those telling it take advantage of that. Where would you like to see our society be in the next five years?

Kenneth - I would like to see society accept the people they see around them. Stop holding beliefs before people and to start recognizing the fact we can all learn from each other. Its time we as people help each other out weather it be an ear to listen a shoulder to cry on or even just a simple hello. People need to stop being afraid of others so much and start getting to know each other. I’m part of a beard group called The Bearded Villains and our local chapter the Smokey Mountain Bearded Villains and our goal is to break down the stereotypes of bearded and or tattooed men and to show what kind of great things we can do through charity and brotherhood. Its really a great group of guys but because how we choose to look others judge us and treat us differently. So the founder Von Knox set out to do just that and break the stereotype.

I would like to see equality for all though and to see a barrier against negativity. Maybe see this country united instead of divided.

Ricky - I think that is really cool man! That is definitely a noble goal! I want to thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with us. Where can people find you online to check out your work?

Kenneth - Thank you so much for your time as well. It was honestly great meeting you and i cant wait to watch this grow and become something amazing for you. I have watched your work for years and I support other artists in their endeavor.

My work can be found on instagram or facebook @tattoosbythecaptain or tattoos by the captain at white wizard. You can always call me as well or come by the shop my number is listed on the sites.

Thank you again and man your work is truly badass, Keep up the work and i hope to see it evolve into an amazing project. See ya along the way!!

Tattoo Artist Kenneth Chope - TRD Photography

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this interview and story. This project is especially dear to me as I love sharing people’s stories. My goal with this project is for it to be more documentary in nature. So as a disclaimer, the words and ideas that some of the people I interview may not always reflect my views and takes on things. I feel we can learn a lot from people if we open our minds to different views and takes. I hope that will come across in these stories and profiles.

With interviewing various tattoo artists, as this project is documentary in nature, I have many friends in the tattooing field but in picking out an artist, do your homework. Check out the shops, check out the portfolios, and find an artist that is right for you. Thanks for reading guys!

Tattoos and Motherhood with Rachel - TRD Photography

Tattooed Mom - Rachel Sossamon - Photo by TRD Photography

Tattoos and Motherhood

This is the inaugural blog post in my new series of doing profiles and interviews with different people in the tattoo community. Recently I had the privilege of sitting down and photographing Rachel and her little one, Willow. We got to talk to Rachel about the journey she and her husband had to start their family, as well as kind of being a tattooed mom means to her. I hope you’ll take the time to read our interview and if you enjoy it, share it. I will be releasing a new interview weekly, so keep an eye out. Without further ramblings, here’s Rachel’s story.

Ricky - Hi Rachel, I really enjoyed meeting you and your little one for our session. Can you give our readers a little bit of background on yourself in a few sentences?

Rachel - Sure! Currently I’m a stay at home mom, which is literally the greatest job in the world! I’ve previously worked at a tattoo shop in south GA where I did body piercings for a few years. I’ve had the chance to model some, mainly because of my art work. And before that I worked at a couple of Harley-Davidson shops.

Ricky - That's awesome! You also mentioned that you've moved around a bit? What originally interested you in tattoo culture?

Rachel - I have! My husband and I are originally from NC. His work is what brought us to GA. Later his company moved us from south GA all the way to north GA and we’ve been settled here now for a few years. As long as I can remember I’ve always been really interested in tattoos. It probably started with my dad. He was a Navy man and when he was stationed away he got this butterfly tattoo on his arm. I vividly remember him flexing his arm and making his butterfly move and I thought that was the coolest thing. Needless to say, I could not wait till my 18th Birthday when I got my first tattoo. From there on it was a game changer. I knew I wanted and had to have more.

Rachel & Willow - Photo - TRD Photography

Ricky - That's really cool. It's awesome to have a memory like that, that has stuck with you of your dad. So in South Georgia you were working at a tattoo shop and then in North Georgia, you've now become a mom. How has it been transitioning from being a shop girl and piercer to being a stay at home mom?

Rachel - It’s been a huge transition from working with the public to family life! A little bit of back history, my husband and I struggled with infertility for almost 10 years. We saw doctors and specialist. I did every kind of test and took all the drugs trying to get pregnant. We did 3 rounds of IUI and suffered a miscarriage. Moving to north GA allowed me the time to actually focus on trying to start a family. Thankfully out of the blue and all on our own we conceived our daughter and she was born June of 2017. It’s like two different worlds now. I miss piercing. I miss all the different kinds of people you meet and I miss that family feeling working in a shop but nothing compares to being a mom. Maybe one day I’ll get back into it again when she’s a little older.

Ricky - Wow! That is amazing! I had no idea. I'm sure that reading that can give some hope to people out there trying. Sometimes things just have to happen in the right time. What are some ways that motherhood has changed you?

Rachel - Motherhood has changed my whole outlook on life. Like it’s no longer about myself but about this tiny little human that I took part in creating and carried for 9 months. Its made me more grateful for the little things. Its taught me to slow down and appreciate what’s in front of me. It’s made me more hyper aware of what’s going on around me because I want to protect her as much as possible. It’s such a huge responsibility to be given this precious gift to love, nurture and raise. Motherhood has literally been a blessing and a lesson but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rachel & Willow - Photo - TRD Photography

Ricky - I love this! I'll tell you it was a blessing for me at our session seeing you and your daughters bond. Doing what I do, I've seen some parents that just haven't had that connection with their little ones. Do you think that your struggle with conceiving and starting a little later than a lot of people has given you a different perspective on being a mom?

Rachel - Oh absolutely. I struggled with depression not being able to conceive. We had “unexplained infertility” so not knowing what the cause was and not being able to fix it was really hard. Watching your friends and family members have babies was tough. Don’t get me wrong, I was extremely happy for them but it broke my heart that it wasn’t happening for us. I was at a point where it was really affecting my marriage and I had to take back control. I sought out help. Best thing I could have done. I had to have the mindset that it just wasn’t gonna happen for us and that I needed to be ok with that. We bought a house and adopted a third dog and everything was good. 2 years after giving up and moving on with our life we got pregnant. It was definitely a huge surprise. We were finally given what we had wanted for so long. No way did I want to be 35 and pregnant but that’s how it ended up and I’m absolutely ok with that. I definitely try not to take things for granted because I know she’ll only be little for so long. I’m literally soaking it all in. Like how lucky am I to finally have her? She’s my whole world and I’m so blessed! All of the struggles definitely give you a different mindset. Becoming a mom later in life definitely makes me more focused, in the moment and appreciate what I have.

Ricky - That is so amazing man. I definitely could see it in you guys interactions. On the web sometimes you see things circulating about tattooed parents, and here in the South especially, you can get some stares with being tattooed. How has your experiences been as a tattooed mother?

Rachel - So far so good. My daughters first year being earth side we didn’t really go out much. But this past year we been adventuring out more and to be honest I haven’t really been paying attention to other people because I’m so focused on my daughter. Occasionally I’m surprised by someone coming up to me to say that they admire my art work or to tell me they hope to have that many tattoos one day. I love those moments because they’re unexpected. Hopefully my daughter won’t have to experience anyone being negative towards her mother because of my tattoos. If that happens I’ll use it as a learning experience. That we should be excepting of people no matter what they look like. Very much like that quote about not judging a book by its cover.

Ricky - I love that take on it! Teach our children if negative experiences happen rather than getting upset if they do. I want to thank you so much for being a part of this project and letting me meet and take some photos of you and your little one. Any last words for other folks out there that may be struggling with starting a family?

Rachel - Sure... more or less I want them to know they’re not alone. So many of us women (men to) go through this and suffer in silence. It’s ok to talk about it and share your experience. I don’t want to be yet another person who tells them it will happen when you stop trying because those words are said way to often and really don’t make anyone feel better. I’d rather say I understand and support you. Just breathe and take it one day at a time. Try not to let it consume you and always lead with a positive outlook. But most of all, you did nothing wrong and it isn’t your fault.

And thank you Ricky! Willow and I enjoyed our time with you! Hopefully we’ll get together again in the future

Rachel & Willow - Photo - TRD Photography

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this interview and story. This project is especially dear to me as I love sharing people’s stories. My goal with this project is for it to be more documentary in nature. So as a disclaimer, the words and ideas that some of the people I interview may not always reflect my views and takes on things. I feel we can learn a lot from people if we open our minds to different views and takes. I hope that will come across in these stories and profiles. Thanks for reading.

Say Something....with Morgan

Model - Morgan Reece - TRD Photography - Say Something

Say Something...with Morgan & TRD Photography

One of the things that I miss most about working on magazines is the interviews. I love to read stories and interesting interviews. So I've been working on this for a bit to introduce a new segment for my blog called Say Something. It's talking to different people that I work with, and some specifically for this, but I want to talk to people about life in these contemporary times about real stuff and not just the usual "how long have you modeled/been a tattooer/etc" questions. Hope you guys dig this chat with Morgan and the pics.

TRD - So we're talking to Morgan today for the first ever edition of Say Something here on my blog. Morgan, it's been awesome getting to know you and work with you this last little bit. One of the things that I've found really inspiring about your social media is even with going through some tough times, you remain upbeat and positive. How do you do that?

Morgan - I realize just how lucky I am to be alive. Having been brushed with things that should have killed me, mentally and physically, I appreciate life entirely. I have the “it could be worse” mentality and a little “it always gets better” sprinkled on top. I just try to keep going because I know who I am and I know what a fighter I am.

TRD - I think that's awesome, and I think it's really cool that you share some of what you've been through and how you've struggled with depression and things. You never know who out there is dealing with things and how that little bit of openness can help. You've done some road tripping. What's been your favorite destination that you've been to so far?

Morgan - Thank you! I have a “keep going” tattoo on my arm, big enough so anybody I encounter can see it because I talk with my hands. It always gets better, if you put in the work and believe it. And nobody is ever alone. I would have to say the road trip I did to the Grand Canyon and back! Leaving from Tennessee and coming through Texas on the way back. I got to be in Denver, Colorado for a blink, but I fell in love instantly. The trees were all yellow with leaves and I found a hot spring that was surrounded by nature (I believe it’s called Strawberry Park). I felt very at peace, was sleeping in the back of my Jeep, and just genuinely enjoyed Colorado and the beauty it holds.

Model - Morgan Reece - TRD Photography - Say Something

TRD - That is so cool! I've seen some of Colorado, but more so just in passing. Northern Wyoming for me was amazing. Where else would you like to visit?

Morgan - I would love to go out of the country! As much as I travel, a lot of people don’t know I have yet to do that yet. I would love to go to Norway! Oslo has been tugging at my heartstrings for a very long time now. I’m thinking I’m going to finally going to make it happen in the upcoming spring!

TRD - That is killer man! I hope that it works out for you to make it! You're in your mid twenties right? What do you think people your age can do to make a difference in our society?

Morgan - Yes! I’m somewhat new to the 27 club. I think we should definitely speak up. If something bothers us, speak up. Too often we go with the flow and just settle because we think it’s just the way it’s got to be or go. Not only that, but I think we should definitely open our eyes to our neighbors. I think we forget that we aren’t perfect or above anyone so we overlook humanity sometimes. I think we need to just take care of each other and be kind. I truly think that love and empathy could move mountains.

TRD - I agree man! I think that it's become so easy to just become consumed in our own life, in this cyber world, that we overlook whats going on in the real world. What do we need to do to get beyond the negativity in social media?

Morgan - I think we need to just turn it into a positive thing! I try my best to post quotes that will inspire, help, move, and help people feel a little less alone on my Instagram account. I need it sometimes more, but I often get messages saying “thank you. I needed to hear that.” I think we could comment encouragement instead of screenshooting with intention to bring someone down. I think we could really use it as a positive thing, but unfortunately, with our human nature, it takes a lot of brain work. We just have to try!

Model - Morgan Reece - TRD Photography - Say Something

TRD - I think that's really well said dude! Where do you want to be in ten years?

Morgan - Honestly, that kinda changes every other year sometimes. I want to be happy, feel loved, I want to have many travel stories under my belt, and feel like I’ve accomplished a few things then.

TRD - What are some of the items on your bucket list?

Morgan - Skydiving, swim with sharks, visit all 50 states before I turn 30, and eventually see Celine Dion in concert are just a few of them!

TRD - That's awesome dude! Just getting to know you, I bet you'll be knocking them off in no time. I wanna thank you for taking some time to chat with us. What's one last thing you'd like to say to folks out there reading this?

Morgan - Thank you! I’m definitely setting some goals to get to them. I appreciate you having me to do this! It was a lot of fun, as always. I would love to leave this by saying... be you. Just be you. Own your faults and your quirks. They make you who you are and nobody can ever take that from you. Don’t apologize for who you are and don’t you dare change to make someone else comfortable. The right people will love you and appreciate you, despite how much of a mess you can be. And be nice to the people trying to figure it all out. Life isn’t easy and we are all going through this together.

Ink Revolution - Spring 2017 - Now Available.

We are pleased to announce that the latest, and most likely, final issue of Ink Revolution magazine is now out and available. One of the things that I have loved most about IR over the years is getting to talk to and interview a variety of people, and hopefully take interesting photos of them. That will not be going away. I have plans to carry on interviews and such, but in a blog format and without the the restrictions of keeping it as a "tattoo magazine." I love the tattoo industry and will continue to interview artists and be a part of it, but I want to be able to share stories and opinions of people on a variety of things without worrying about how many tattoos someone has or doesn't have. Stay tuned. And go pick up this kick ass issue. 

Ink Revolution - Spring 2017

By Ricky Davis in Ink Revolution

40 pages, published 5/1/2017

Ink Revolution is a tattoo lifestyle magazine. In the Spring 2017 issue we talk to Wes Collins about his Cherokee ancestry, and about tattooing in Native culture. We sat down with tattoo artists Michael Clester and Chris Allman. We talked with tattoo models Mel Lamon, Cece Sinclair, & Candice Mariee. We talked herbs with Griffin Salve, food with chef Eric Fulkerson, and a highlight on Marty Hambone Hamilton.

Moll Mag South Africa Interview with TRD Photography

TRD Photography - Moll Mag South Africa 

Moll Mag South Africa - TRD Photography Interview

Recently I did an interview for Moll Mag South Africa. It was one of the most fun interviews I've ever gotten to do. Be sure to check it out. Click the photo and go read it. :) 

Ricky

Photo of the Day - Leighann Word & TRD Photography

Model - Leighann Word - Photo by TRD Photography

Photo of the Day - 6/9/2014

Apparently, it's gotten to the point that I'm only gonna be able to share a few of my photos on Facebook going forward, as anything with shadows gets pixelated beyond recognition. So good news, it means I'll be sharing more here on my blog, which in reality I should be doing anyway.

Here's a sneak peek from a set I did recently with my pal Leighann Word. This set is going to be insane! This is a raw image, no photoshop except for b&w conversion.

As always, to book me, just shoot me an email to trd@trdphotography.com I'd love to work with you.

Chattanooga Tattoo Convention - TRD Photography

Tattoo Artist  Dietsch of Blackbeard Tattoo - TRD Photography

Chattanooga Tattoo Convention

Today starts the third annual Chattanooga Tattoo Convention at 2pm. Tattoo Artists and Tattoo Enthusiasts will be gathered at the Chattanooga Trade Center and I'm stoked to be a part of it this year. My friends, Tim Harden and Kellie Ruthless have invited me to hang out with them at the Revolution Tattoos booth. The convention has some amazing artists and a lot of cool shows planned. So if you have some time this weekend, come check it out. 

As for me, I'll have prints on hand, many of which have never been in print form before, and I'm offering a huge print sale. 

8x10's are $10 each or 2 for $15. 

11x14's are $20 each or 2 for $30. 

I'll also be booking shoots for June 2014, so come put down a deposit on that shoot you know you've been wanting to do! 

Below are some more photos I took at last years convention.

The Enigma and Syrena Rose - TRD Photography

Tattoo Contest Time - TRD Photography

David Braden doing a hand poked tattoo on Kitty Konniption - TRD Photography

Tattoo Artist Lynn Buckner of Main Line Ink - TRD Photography

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

Tattoo Model - Raven Lee - Photo by TRD Photography - Woodland Beauty Set

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

Pack of Wolves - Echo of Love Album Cover

Echo of Love - The sophomore release from Pack of Wolves - Photo by TRD Photography

Pack of Wolves - Echo of Love

Recently I was honored to be able to do some album artwork for the band, Pack of Wolves. They are based out of Chattanooga, TN and just released their sophomore album, Echo of Love. They are fronted by the dynamite, Tootsie Von Comare. She's got soul well beyond her years and they put on a great show! Their album is out now digitally and soon to be released in cd format. Here's the cd cover that I got the privilege of shooting.

Check Pack of Wolves out at the following sites.

www.facebook.com/pages/Pack-of-Wolves/112745215503051

www.packofwolvesmusic.com

www.reverbnation.com/packofwolves4

And as always, feel free to check out my other work at the following links.

TRD Photography - Chattanooga TN - www.trdphotography.com

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

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 -

Throwback Thursday - Hotels Project with Raven Lee

Model Raven Lee from the Hotel Series by TRD Photography - Photo of the Day 2/19/2015

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. .

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

Model - Vanessa Michelle - Group The 86'd - TRD Photography

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  - TRD Photography

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

Talking Puncture Wounds Clothing with JD Hicks

BTS Photo above with Steph D, Cricket Murphy, Amanda Pocalypse, and me. I'm wearing my PWC toboggan. 

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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

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