After permanently relocating to the east coast, I've transferred my union status from cameraman to production still photographer and have been working on films in New York City. Having shot two features and one short this fall, I've also been shooting some studio shots and events.

This summer I've had my Lucha Va Voom shots shown at one of the last gallery shows at CBGB's, I've been published in various periodicals and art publications, and shot promotional shots for several events.

My personal work has been on hold untl now, but I hope to return to it now that things are leveling off.

Happy holidays and new year!
~D
- posted by Don @ 3:40 PM

 
Just ended the San Diego Comic Convention where I reconnected with artists and entertainers I know from around the country, and made several purchases from Miss Mindy (www.missmindy.com), CJ Metzger (www.cjmetzger.com), Skellramics (www.skellramics.com), Gail Potocki (www.gailpotocki.com) and my friends at Century Guild (www.centuryguild.net).

I've set up shop in Astoria, NY but am still occassionally working in LA for particular shoots. This week I'll be shooting Colleen from Devil Doll, artist Blanca Apodaca, and authors Pleasant Gehman and Iris Berry. Since February my work has been in several galleries, including Artist Bound (Los Angeles) and CB's 313 (Manhattan) and I am getting ready to be part of the gallery show at the Blessing of the Cars in LA.

In the past few months my photos have appeared on the cover of the new Ditty Bops' album "Moon Over the Freeway," in Car Kulture Deluxe Magazine, and have been featured on the websites of NoFi Magazine and Trashy Diva clothing.

I've also done photography (live event and backstage portraits) for Lucha Va Voom and been in charge of the photo committee for this year's Miss Exotic World Pageant in Las Vegas. Last month I also shot event photography for Margaret Cho's burlesque show "The Sensuous Woman" at it's New York run at Fire Island.

Returning to NY I plan to continue photo editing for a book of my work and to shoot catalogue shots for Whirling Turban Vintage Dress Styles.

I am available as a motion picture still photographer on both union and nonunion projects in the New York area.
- posted by Don @ 12:15 AM

 
The Fallen Ones is now on dvd, it's one of the releases from Anchor Bay where I shot the behind the scenes, one of my last dvds to get credit besides those from It's A Chick Production, LLC.

Been shooting constantly, getting shows, getting published, etc...just helped with the archiving of the Exotic World Burlesque Museum, it will be mocing soon to Las Vegas!

Now I have a place in Queens, NY to shoot when I'm on the east coast, as well as the studio in LA. I'll be going back to LA to shoot Lucha Va Voom as well as some shots for No Fi Magazine before returning to NY.
- posted by Don @ 9:59 PM

 
Listening to Powerhouse, one of the most effective pieces of music at representing imagery through jazz.

I have just returned from NY, having begun my search for a photo studio live/work space. The trip began with luggage lost, with drink tickets for future flights as compensation. I had to wait in the airport for my luggage, which was on the next flight.

No great adventure to relate. The first several days the city was inundated with rain, one of the days sustained a record deluge, and I was forced to spend my search on the internet using a dial up connection. With no luck every search for studio returned information on studio apartments.

By night I suffered the rain twice to attend burlesque performances of a few friends: the first, a benefit for the victims of the flooding in New Orleans, the second, the weekly of Starshine Burlesque at Rififi.

Still braving rain, my friend Alison, who was temporarily living in NY, having escaped the flooding of her home in New Orleans, met me for drinks and a photo opportunity with her friend Iris at CBGBs, soon possibly to close. Then back to the apartment for dinner with my father, who, passing through on his way from visiting family in New England, was spending the night. That evening I went to Lady Ace’s show at the Slipper Room to see still more friends perform.

After a spectacular sunny weekend I found myself Monday night having dinner with Julie Atlas Muz, Dirty Martini, Tigger and other friends in honor of Kate Valentine’s birthday. The night ended with Kate and Julie and I talking well until the morning.

Tuesday was spent wandering through Fort Greene, then another benefit at night for New Orleans, produced by Darlinda Just Darlinda and emceed by World Famous *BOB*, who called me out from the audience, which was flattering and only slightly embarrassing.

Wednesday was again spent in Fort Greene, although now I had the company of my friend Sarah, a student at Pratt who showed me around the campus. In case I decide to take more classes someday I gathered information and talked to an advisor about post grad studies.

Both of my parents came into town that night for dinner in Queens, which was lovely. When they left I returned to burning back up cd-roms of photos, which I have been doing in every spare moment.

No work was done Thursday. Rather, I had lunch with my friend Allison in the MTV building where she works in Times Square, then dinner with my friends Luke, Laura, and Dirty Martini. Being Thursday I again went to Starshine, camera in hand, since the week before I did not want it to get wet in the rain.

The next morning I grabbed a copy of the Village Voice, as Dirty had told me that my photo of her was in it, with credit, then back to La Guardia to find my plane was cancelled due to weather. The next flight arrived too late for me to make my connecting flight to Burbank, so I was booked to fly later to LAX. Augusta offered to retrieve me, so I didn't ahve to pay for a cab. Na ja, es gibt mir noch gut.

The next time I am in NY I may have to use a broker to find the ideal photo studio situation, but all my friends are on the lookout for me. And yes, I did use those drink tickets from when they lost my luggage.
- posted by Don @ 2:27 AM

 
So many things...

Just shot the second last Velvet Hammer show Friday, then Saturday the Blessing of the Cars. That night had a group show at the Arsenal that Mr. Uncertain, Jo Weldon and Maria Astrid Gonzales. Thank you Miss Mariam for that!

Today I shot some of the chorus photos for the Ooh La La program, I have a few more to do.

But the best: I received a brochure for the Mütter Museum that includes my photography. This place is important to me and to be a part of it is tremendous.
- posted by Don @ 12:25 AM

 
Recent credits:

Exhibits
Arsenal Group Show 07/30/05
Club Screwball Closing night retrospective 07/26/05
Derby Dolls Art Auction Group show June 18 2005
El Rey Theater Velvet Hammer Group Show Spring 2005
POD Gallery featured photographer July 2005
Meltdown Poubelle Twins Group Show Dec 3 2004
Vine Tease-O-Rama 1 & 2 retrospective Nov 2003

Print
Stylemontecarlo 18 pages of photos and 2 page featured article
Oyster Magazine 2 page fashion spread Dec 2004
Barracuda Magazine Cover photo, centerfold and various shots
Village Voice
LA Weekly
Burlesque & the New Bump-n-Grind 40 pages of photos
by Michelle Baldwin
Velvet Hammer Burlesque 2001 Program photos and 2005 Poster
Lucha Va Voom all programs and most posters


Various promo shots for:
Julie Atlas Muz
Kate Valentine
Kitten de Ville
Augusta
Dirty Martini
The Poubelle Twins
Erochica Bamboo
The Velvet Hammer Burlesque
Lucha Va Voom
Uncertain
The Ditty Bops
Jo Weldon
Fishnet Floozys
Desiré D’Amour
Harvest Moon
Miss Delerium Tremens
Venus DeMille
Tigger
Princess Farhana
- posted by Don @ 11:43 PM

 
Lyssa has submitted my photos to a pinup contest, please vote for her (Miss Lyssa), and by extension you're voting for me! Okay, you're really just voting for her.

kustomzville.com

You can vote once a week until August 31st. So vote often. Would it kill ya?

Thanks!
Don



The KustomzVille Pin-Up Contest 2005!

- posted by Don @ 11:57 AM