There is an interesting story behind these silhouette photos (view slideshow below) that I took of Mia Ruiz. Mia stopped by 124 one day in the summer of 2021 for a couple of simple headshots and full body shots. She needed these for preliminary materials for an audition. After we got the shots she needed, Mia suggested trying to do some silhouette shots. I was apprehensive at first because I had never done anything like that. It is not as easy as it looks.
I had the white curtain but not the white paper background. Therefore the lighting would be slightly more difficult. After several tries, I got the lighting right and this is the result. I have to give a fantastic shout out to Mia. Her experience in acting and modeling came through in all of the shots we did. I did not have to do much directing which was a relief because at the time I did not understand the concept of “directing poses”. Even as of this writing I am still learning. Interesting, eh?
Moving forward to Dia de Los Muertos. I had a concept in mind: Day of the Dead. To make a long story short I ignored the advice of many who suggested using family and friends to be made up as La Catrina for this celebration of the non-living. I decided to hire professional actors and a professional face painter to create the images you see here. It was a decision I did not regret!
