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

Thoughts on Stereotyping....

Just some thoughts....

So I realize that I've kinda fallen behind on this whole blog thing, I'll try not to let it happen again. The last few weeks of 2014 were kinda nuts for me. Lots of deadlines to get photos done before the holidays. I

Anyway, I had an experience tonight that I've experienced numerous times, and it brought to mind a lot of thoughts that I've had recently with events here in the US. I debated all the way home on if I should write about it on here or not, and I finally decided screw it. It's not what you might find on most photographers blogs but then again I don't want to be most photographers. 

Tonight I was grabbing some groceries at the store, just the usual type stuff. It was busy and we were all trying to keep from getting in each others way. I started down one aisle with only one lady on it. She was middle aged and when she saw me she grabbed her purse tighter , gave me a look of disdain, and scurried past clinging to the other side of the aisle. To be honest, at first it kinda bummed me out, then I started thinking....

I have no reason to be bummed out. I have no reason to apologize. I did absolutely nothing wrong. The idea that we are judging people based on the way they dress, their tattoos and piercings, or heaven forbid, the color of their skin is just sick. We seriously have gotta wake up. Wake up to the stereotyping that we've been programmed to believe. I have tattoos. I wear baggy pants, metal shirts, a hoodie, and a beanie MOST of the time. Get to know me and you'll find that I'm really not a bad guy.

And here's what I usually get told, "it's about the image that you project is how people will view you." Really? See that's a you problem and not a me problem. Look at Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, at the sex offender list online, or even a weekly "just busted" paper. You know what? A lot of those people APPEAR to be clean cut, well to do members of our society, so why do I gotta look like them to be treated as such? It's a shame. 

Here's where we go wrong in our country, we are so focused on appearances instead of on actions. Not gonna lie, when I was younger I judged on appearance. It was the way I was brought up. Now, I'm just as cautious as ever when I'm out, but it has nothing to do with appearance and everything to do with actions.. I am mindful of peoples actions, behaviors, and their energy. 

If I kept my distance from anyone that didn't project a "proper image", I'd be a pretty lonely person, and I would have missed out on some amazing friendships that have had a huge impact on my life and on my faith the last few years. I just thought it's something to think about. 

Talking Beauty and Sideshows with Raven Lunatic

Interview with sideshow performer and body piercer, Raven Lunatic.

I first met Raven Lunatic last year in downtown Chattanooga. I had just gotten back from Portland, Oregon and was doing work on a project that I called Beauty Redefined. I'll be posting more about it in upcoming blogs. I met Raven and asked him if I could take a portrait for the project and we got to talking about beauty and how it's defined in our society. It was a great conversation, and so in planning to do more interviews on my blog, I thought that Raven would be a great place to start!  

Ricky - "Raven, what are your thoughts on beauty and the significance that it plays in our society?" 

Raven Lunatic - "Beauty is so subjective in our society as well as the world that it's difficult to measure. We are marketed an "ideal" but it doesn't work for most of us. Some of the women that I'm told by a marketing firm/modeling agency are beautiful are just plain to me and some of the women that I find extremely beautiful wouldn't be called beautiful by mainstream America. I've tried to make sense of beauty and what the "It Factor" is and haven't identified it. Now, if you look at ideal beauty from other cultures, it gets even harder to figure out. Of course this only refers to outside beauty and once you talk to someone, the scale can swing up or down."

Ricky - "I completely agree. There's so much about it that is so subjective. We are spoon fed this idea of beauty and normalcy but it's all relative to interpretation. Let's talk about you for a minute. You do sideshow performances for Freakshow Deluxe right? What is Freakshow Deluxe for those that may not have heard of it."

Raven Lunatic - "The FreakShow Deluxe is Hollywood's own & ONLY carnival-style sideshow! This is a fantastic LIVE show, bringing the classic working acts of the old freak shows to life on the modern stage in a family friendly comedy stunt show that must be seen to be believed. Prepare to be amazed and astounded as the FreakShow Deluxe performs its mind-boggling physical feats with a flair for the theatrical and a touch of humor that the whole family will enjoy. See FreakShow Deluxe astonish with the Human Blockhead, the Bed of Nails, Sword Swallowing, Fire-Eating and so much more...  

I specialize in mostly Pain Proof acts such as Bed Of Nails, Bed of swords, , Breaking an Arrow with my throat, Hand in a Beaver trap, Tongue in a Mouse Trap, And recently started doing Arm in a Bear Trap.And my favorite is Pin Cushion and Human Bulletin Board where people staple cash to my body using an industrial stapler."

Ricky - "Very cool man! I def want to catch the show sometime! I got to see Enigma and Serana Rose perform at the Chattanooga Tattoo Convention earlier this year. Do you spend much time out on tour? What's life like out on the road for a performer?"

Raven Lunatic - "I have yet to meet them but I really want to. I love to travel and see new places. It's one of the reasons I joined but I haven't been able to travel as much as I want to. I have too many projects going at the moment and we put a show together to meet the clients needs so not everyone wants a guy who stabs needles through his face, neck and arm. Some venues ask for less extreme stunts." 

Ricky - "What are some of your other projects? I know you have Raven Lunatic clothing and your pierce too right?"

Raven Lunatic - "Those are the biggest. We just finished the first t-shirt for Raven Lunatic Clothing that was borne from a conversation with an old friend. He couldn't believe that I wasn't on drugs or drunk when I did my stunts or suspensions so I made a shirt. It's American made on American Apparel because I believe that we have a responsibility to support American companies. I've been working to bring the highest quality of jewelry to the area and removing the limits of what someone can have. I recently got a price for a Platinum navel dangle with diamonds, and rubies from BVLA. I'm lucky that there isn't a limit. Plus a pet project that I need to spend even more time on. I'm more militant than some people and think that if a business won't hire pierced and tattooed people, we shouldn't spend money there. I think it's important to support my customers."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/End-tattoo-and-piercing-discrimination-in-the-workplace/746127828747813 

Ricky - "Very cool man! I'll def share the links in this interview man. Before we wrap it up, I'd like to ask a couple more questions. What is one band that people should be listening to right now?" 

Raven Lunatic - "The main bands I would recommend at the moment is Frank Turner. I start every morning with Photosynthesis, Love Ire and Song" and "Sons Of Liberty" and Determined out of Reno. Some of the Irish Rovers songs make me smile too." 

Ricky - "What is a film that you'd recommend checking out?" 

Raven Lunatic - "Films are difficult. I tend to watch some really obscure films. I have a friend who pulls out the strangest films every time I visit. But I recommend watching Modify, Body of God and Dances Sacred and Profane. But brace yourself before watching. And for a mainstream film, Point Break."

Ricky - "I really appreciate you taking the time to chat with me a few minutes. I look forward to catching up with you again in the near future. Have you received any piece of advice in life that you'd like to share to close with?"

Raven Lunatic -  "The best advice I've heard is Be the person you want to be. We all do things to be more comfortable in our own skin. It doesn't matter if it's tattoos, piercings, how we dress or anything else, as long as we're a good person, that's what matters.

and one more final thought about beauty. 

We all do things to make ourselves more comfortable in our own skin so it only makes sense that we all have different ideals of true beauty. Beauty in one culture may not even be acceptable in another."

Ricky - I hope that you guys enjoyed the conversation with the Raven Lunatic. I plan on doing a lot more interviews and conversations here in the near future so be sure to check back often to check out new content. I asked Raven for some links to some of his work and projects to share with you guys. You can find those below. 

 https://www.facebook.com/AbroInkWorksTattooAndBodyPiercings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/End-tattoo-and-piercing-discrimination-in-the-workplace/746127828747813

http://www.freakshowdeluxe.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RavenLunaticClothing

https://www.facebook.com/ravenlunaticfsd

 Also be sure to check out TRD Photography on the web as well.

http://www.trdphotography.com - TRD Photography - Chattanooga, TN - 

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

Cemetery Series - The Introduction

TRD Photography - The Cemetery Series

I have long been fascinated by cemeteries. Some people hear that and immediately think you're one of those weirdo's sacrificing puppies or something like that. I may not be completely right in the head, but I'm not one of those people either. I've just always found cemeteries to be a surreal, peaceful place, and a lot of times they are full of just beautiful art.

I've done numerous shoots at some local cemeteries but the focus was always on the models. One day I was walking around and just letting myself just be. I was feeling the energy and the emotion. I started really looking at the statues and just looking closer than just a glance. They have so much emotion if you look at them and try to see something different.

Soon after this, a couple of tattoo artist friends of mine went and took photos. I immediately fell in love with the photos and just the moodiness of them. One of my goals is to check out different cemeteries in my travels and take some photos. I hope to be able to put together a really solid series and hopefully show it someday in the future.

The photo above is one of my favorites at this point. I just love the emotion and the cracks in this angels face. The truth is, I actually have this tattooed now. I've been in the process of a Spiritual warfare sleeve and I wanted an angel. I hated getting one of my photos tattooed, but it truly wasn't about the photo as much as it was about the emotion in this face. My pal, Kitty Konniption, did an incredible job! Keep an eye out as soon I'll have an album up from some of these travels.

RIcky

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

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

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

Lady in Red- Renee Rockwood

Well, welcome to my blog. I've tried my hand at blogs a handful of times and overall I kinda suck at them because I forget to update them on a regular basis. I'll do my best to not suck on this one. I'm Ricky and I'm an alt photographer based in Tennessee. Be sure to keep an eye out for my stuff.

   I chose to start this blog off with a photo that I did back in 2012 with the amazing Renee Rockwood. She's a killer model based out of Seattle, WA and you may have seen her in Bound by Ink or some other mags. Anyway, she's a killer person and you should def go give her a follow. A lot of people still come up and talk to me about this particular photo because they loved the mood and the red. We were shooting in a sweet little backroom bar off the Puget Sound and it was just an amazing experience.

   Keep checking back and I'll keep doing my best to have something new here a couple times a week for you guys.

Ricky

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