Safe with Me: Angela’s Edwardian-inspired photo shoot

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Crashing Nightingale

In July, I had the distinct pleasure of photographing someone whose work I’ve admired for many years. Angela Ryan is an international model; but her work doesn’t stop there. Along with a modeling career that spans from fetish to pinup, she is a performer, creative director and stylist. I’ve been familiar with her work through social media for years. So it was an absolute honor to work with her and create some photo magic!

Angela and I conversed before she made her trip to Nashville. We decided on an Edwardian-era theme to my delight. After we decided on the theme, I went to work to find the perfect Edwardian blouse. The vintage gods were in my favor as I found one quickly and she was a beauty. These articles of clothing are like pieces of art so I enjoy photographing anyone in them. I recruited my side-kick and personal muse, Lashon, to help with set design. Between the time I scheduled Angela’s photo shoot and when it took place, I brainstormed the direction we would take. I was feeling a little inspired by the green fairy so decided to have a bit of a darker element to the look.

Tarryn Feldman, a talented hair and makeup artist, completed Angela’s look. The set was designed by Lashon who is a master at making anything come together.

~ Credits ~
Model: Angela Ryan
Makeup/hair stylist: Tarryn Feldman
Set designer and assistant: Lashon Miller
Edwardian blouse: The One I Love Vintage
Corset from Angela’s personal wardrobe
Gloved cape: from Angela’s personal wardrobe; designer Louise Black

“The world was to me a secret which I desired to devine.”

“Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose- a point on which the soul can focus its intellectual eye”

“How many things are we upon the brink of discovering if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries”

“But her’s was the misery of innocence, which, like a cloud that passes over the fair moon, for a while hides, but cannot tarnish its brightness.”

“I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine…”

“I’m a creature of fine sensations”

“I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”

The devil that dances in my head
Is never, is never dressed in red!

A Summer Siren

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Crashing Nightingale

One may think of summer and only think about the sweltering heat. But let’s not forget the fun things summertime brings. Summer hangouts, warm evenings, dips in pools of water, fireflies, and vacations or sometimes just “staycations” from work or school. This summer has brought new acquaintances for me. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some new folks and photographing them.

Early in the summer I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely lady named Haley. Haley goes to school with my gal pal, lovely photo assistant and main muse, Lashon. Lashon made the connection for Haley and me and we scheduled a photo shoot. Haley does modeling as well. It was a delight to photograph her and the three of us had so much fun! We shot for a long time and actually ended up doing about five portrait sessions in one with so many location and wardrobe changes. So I’ll kick off Haley’s photo series with one that made Haley look like a siren coming out of a beautiful pond. We even joked it reminded us of the sirens from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?

So get yourself mesmerized by these enchanting photos from part one of Haley’s photo series.
Model: Haley Weathers
MUAH: Georgia Myrick
Assistant: Lashon Miller

“The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.”

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”

“Love’s stories written in love’s richest books.
To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes.”

“Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

“Four days will quickly steep themselves in nights; Four nights will quickly dream away the time;
And then the moon, like to a silver bow new bent in heaven, shall behold the night of our solemnities.”

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

Black No. 1: Photo shoot with Lashon

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Crashing Nightingale

I am really enjoying the world of photography so far. Photography was something, sadly, I always put on the back burner. I thought about majoring it when I started thinking about college after high school. But I was discouraged and being 17, listened to the person. Over the years it kept coming up, but I kept putting it aside. When I decided to stop doing that, it was like a love that was always meant to be.

Right now, I’m relying on my girlfriends to be my models for me. It’s a win-win because I get to practice and I get to hang out with one of my pals! The lovely lady of this shoot is one that is near and dear to me. My very best friend since 9th grade, Lashon. Another plus is that she herself has always had her hand in photography. She is the person that taught me ALL about composition and pointing out any irrelevant negative space. We even signed up for a photography and Photoshop class together years ago just to learn together and really just to enjoy taking the class together.

So without further ado, I present to you Lashon’s photo shoot. This blog will be a two-part one as we took photos in different outfits. Here is our “black” series:

“No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be.”

“For the dead travel fast.”

“No one but a woman can help a man when he is in trouble of the heart.”

“Bleeding hearts, and dry bones of the churchyard, and tears that burn as they fall, all dance together to the music that he make with that smileless mouth of him.”

“The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his hand to me, with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile that Judas in hell might be proud of.”

Take A Brow

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Crashing Nightingale

I started wearing makeup at an early age. When I was 13 I asked if I could and my request was granted. I was then taken to the nearest store in search of mascara and eyeliner because I had no idea the various types of makeup to wear. Those were the only two items I bought. It was a start and proof that I had a lot to learn about the cosmetic world.

There are times when I wish I could go back and tell my 14-year old self not to over-pluck my eyebrows. I present to you Exhibit A: my freshman high school picture.

Here I am with my black, heavy-rimmed eyes and tons of black mascara. No foundation, no blush and no lip gloss or lipstick of any kind. It was the mid-90s and I was super gothic so there’s my explanation.

When I was 16 I bought Kevyn Aucoin‘s makeup book, Making Faces. I’m sure I saw it on MTV or some fashion show that featured it. I devoured that book when I got it. I read it cover to cover learning all about cosmetics and the different looks I could achieve. That book was, and still is to this day, like magic to me.

So back to my over-plucked brows. I seriously wish I could tell the teenage girl me to knock it off with the over-tweasing. But since I can’t I time travel, I had to come up with another solution. Luckily, I’ve met some great professional makeup artists over the years that have shown me the way to be a makeup Jedi. I learned that I didn’t have to continue to be ashamed of my lack of eyebrows and I learned how important they are. So much that if it’s a day I’m not going to wear any makeup, I’ll fill in my brows at least. It’s amazing how much your eyebrows define your face.

I was recently given the most lovely gift from my sister from another mister, Johnnie Mae‘s brother, Ryan. He is a professional makeup artist in California. He gave me Too Faced‘s Brow Envy brow shaping & defining kit. I could not wait to try it! Below is some before and after and photos of the product.

The case is so pretty and the kind you can nicely display on a vanity if you wanted to. It’ll also be vintage gold in about 50 years because of it’s timeless look. It came with a fold-out tutorial and three individual eyebrow stencils: So Sweet, Too Pretty and Super Sexy. The tutorial gives great and easy step-by-step instructions to create a classic Hollywood eyebrow. I LOVE the setting wax and highlighter. Makeup tip: the highlighter is a great way to shape up the eyebrow and basically make the lovely eyebrow you just created pop. 🙂

Sunday Spa Night

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Crashing Nightingale

Part of my self-reflecting lately includes taking time for me. Not in a selfish way but meaning taking the time to calm myself and remove the things that cause stress or negativity. Stress is a part of life but you have to find a balance. I have a pretty demanding job and about a year ago it test every ounce of my patience and sanity. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again. It’s simple: Life is too short. And that means it’s too short to let the stress rule my life.

So to focus on my mind, body and spirit, one of the routines I am starting to keep going is a “Sunday Spa Night.” After all the chores are done, I shut down that part of my brain and focus on relaxing. I take time for me. I told myself I can do this once a week. The biggest part of my spa night includes a warm bath. I only use candles for my lighting so it can calm my mind. Occasionally I’ll drink wine as I’m soaking the stress away. I focus on my breathing and getting in a resting state of mind. I don’t think about the next day being Monday. And I tell myself I can only control so much and there are only eight hours in a work day. I literally unwind my mind. When I’m done with the bath I start my skin care ritual. I am fortunate my mother started me at a young age, about 21, with getting into skin care. I really think taking care of your skin and body is the “fountain of youth.” You have to. Next I give myself a mini-manicure and pedicure. I pamper myself from head to toe. I’ve done this whole Sunday night routine before but I began to tell myself tonight I need to make this a weekly routine. It’s the best way for me to clear my head and prepare myself for the week. It’s my Sunday Spa Night. 🙂

What do you do to pamper yourself, darlings?

crashing nightingale

Travel the world, traverse the skies.

Tag Archives: Beauty

Safe with Me: Angela’s Edwardian-inspired photo shoot

A Summer Siren

Black No. 1: Photo shoot with Lashon

Take A Brow

Sunday Spa Night

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