I wanted to channel some of Austin’s weirdness into a shoot, try something new, and dirty up my photos a little bit. In both shots, I set up three lights: (1) main light – beauty dish and grid; (2) kicker light with 30° grid and barn door; and (3) hair light with 40° grid with barn door. I wish I had an assistant for this shoot because the lighting needed constant tweaking. Despite the cool weather outside, I worked up a sweat! The bright sun poured in through the open windows, so I had to trick out the lighting to give a dark, glamorous, nighttime feel.

I met a talented artist named Hope Perkins of Hot Pink Pistol, and she had access to all this cool, weird stuff in her Austin home. I got to use some excellent props, and Catherine, the amazing stylist and Hope’s roommate, has a retail shop with a strong vintage feel, so I went with a vintage/Technicolor look in post. Remember the startling blue eyes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Or the poppy, saturated, contrasty colors in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? Ahhh… I can’t say I have perfected the process because every photo needs a great deal of tweaking in Photoshop. I’m certainly having fun trying, though! Wouldn’t it be fun to recreate a modern-day Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe look with this Technicolor process? *drools*

After this shoot, I realized how much I loved shooting in Austin. I have no doubt I will visit again soon and incorporate some Austin quirkiness in future shoots.

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Makeup artist: Carla
Wardrobe stylist: Catherine @ Foxy Vintage
Models: Rachel, Grace

Austin, TX 2009

© Amy Dunn
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