Out of Lancaster, PA’s punk scene, is local band Horrorwood Ending. I had the pleasure of photographing these guys… and boy did things get messy!
This has to be one of my most memorable photos to achieve. By the end of the shoot, all three of the band members were covered in blood. And the drummer’s younger brother had so much of the fake blood poured on his head that he could barely open his eyes. Sometimes you have to suffer a little to make great art.
spent a day shooting the lovely Rachel Smalls in some Mess Queen leggings for Courtney’s line. Rachel is an absolute joy to work with!
These photos were shot at an AWESOME painted wall in Fishtown. While we were shooting, a guy approached us. He didn’t speak much english, and between Rachel, Courtney and I, we had no idea what he wanted. I can tell you for sure, he was REALLY interested in snapping some photos of Rachel…
What can I say? She looked like a rock star!
These next photos were taken at the park at 5th and Wolf, where Rachel again, was quite the head turner!
Rockin out to some Black Flag!
Ashley Miller and I go back quite a while… high school actually. She and I attended school together, we had art classes together, and believe me, she is a talented artist. After high school, she ended up in Baltimore apprenticing as a tattoo artist. I ended up in Baltimore attending school at Towson University.
Well, she and I collaborated in our home town of Lancaster to create some sweet photos.
You can check out this photo on my hitREcord page as well.
Thanks Ash! You’re the best!
My good friend and model, Mandy, came to visit me a few days ago. I couldn’t resist dolling her up in some sweet MessQueen duds for an off the cuff photo shoot. She is such a blast to work with, and with long legs like hers, Courtney’s designs always look stunning.
For those of you interested, you can snatch up a pair of these Gold and Black Hologram Disco Leggings from Courtney’s etsy account:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/94598673/gold-black-hologram-disco-leggings
Rock & Roll!
I present to you the Disco Queen gold leggings! Make the fella’s wanna HOLLA FOR A DOLLA’! And you thought the disco days were over…THINK AGAIN! These leggings will make you feel like you’re back in the 70’s groovin’ at Studio 54! CAN YOU DIG IT?!
I present to the world an un-published, uncensored, stripped down interview with Courtney Gamble, the mastermind of Mess Queen NY. …I know, it’s a lot of words to read in a photography blog, so I’ll share some photos too. Open your mind and rock out that spandexxxxx
1. Describe yourself in one sentence.
Tiny ball of neon on wheels.
2. What is your design background?
got my Associates in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Katharine Gibbs in 2007.
Enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology to receive my Patternmaking Certificate -current
3. What inspires you?
COLOR! and geometric abstraction (obviously :)), juxtapose street art, Murakami art, New York City, outrageous outfits of the london underground club scene, many of my super artistically talented friends, japanese street fashion and pop culture, Graffit artists, New Orleans (culture of the city – voodoo, creole food, art, architecture, music),
4. Who influences your designs?
“Silver Sixties” Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick and the people who frequented the Silver Factory, Karen O., works from the artist Dalek, textile prints from Cassett Playa’s collections (Carrie Mundane is the head designer..i discovered her line while I was in my last semester in school at GIbbs and i was soooo attracted to her prints and designs that I wanted to translate it into leggings so that is pretty much what inspired me to do the leggings..)
5. Describe in 3 words your 2012 collection.
Neon. Patches. POP!
6. MessQueen is known primarily for women’s leggings, what other products do you offer?
We also offer harem pants, cycling shorts, womens and mens tank tops, Childrens Leggings Newborn to 8 years, as well as custom printed leggings and tops for women, men, and children done by Ashley Strout of BlackRoseLA.
7. What is your favorite pair of leggings that you have designed?
my favorite pair of leggings are probably the Sliver Brite’s from my 2012 Womens Collection.
8. What’s your favorite color?
my favorite color right now is Pistachio Green!
9. Does your location influence your designs in any way? If so, how?
Living in NYC definitely does inspire my work. There is always something that I see when I ride my bike around any part of the city or Brooklyn that inspires me to incorporate and create different legging designs. I have so many ideas for new leggings and New York is a place with endless possibilities and ever changing fashion, art, music, etcetc. NYC is BOMB! haha
10. If you could dress any celebrity, who would it be?
Agyness Deyn- Model, Actress, Singer
She blew up as the new “It Girl” model around the same time I started making leggings in 2008. She looked RAD in every single spread she was in and I love the way she can rock every type of look out there (tomboy, baby doll, rocker chic, etcetc) I always felt that my leggings fit into her personal style so well and they would be a great addition to Aggy’s wardrobe!
11. If you could own any one piece of artwork (past or present), what would it be?
Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami
12. I hear you’ve been quite busy lately, any sneak previews as to what we can expect from you in the coming future?
Whew! Well I am putting my Women’s and Children’s 2012 Collection into production and with that I will be showing my collections together at the Plitz New York City Fashion Week Show on Feb 11th! I am also going to be producing my own show for Fashion Week in September 2012, so that will be my main project that I will be working on in 2012.
13. What’s on your ipod right now?
Diplo, Lil Wayne, Jay-z, Nikki Minaj, The Cramps, Black Flag, Fear Before The March of Flames, Skrillex…a variety of artists with upbeat songs that get me in the mood to pump out some leggings! Depending on my mood..excited, angry, stressed..my playlists always consists of songs that get me in mode to get shit done!
15. And of course, who is the MessQueen girl?
The MessQueen Girl is 18-25 years old..living in or around a large city area where she goes to school or works in the creative industry..graphic designer, art handler, music artist, journalist…
Playtime for her consists of dashing around the city with her best gal pals..going to art openings, music shows, fashion parties, and riding her bicycle.
My girl doesn’t necessarily try to buy what is “mainstream trendy”. She would rather find interesting pieces that are out of the ordinary or visit her favorite local vintage shops. She is very creative, therefore she also will alter her clothing by cutting, painting, or patching them. Anything that makes my girl stand out to others is what inspires her wardrobe.
The MessQueen girl strives to have a positive attitude about everything in life and keeps an open mind. She lives her life as a non-conformist, not intimidated by any pressure from society or the need to be “normal”. Most of all, the MessQueen girl is all about enjoying youth because life is a party!!
This post is way overdue and there is no denying that. I’ve been collaborating with Miss Mess Queen, Courtney Gamble, for over a year now, and let me tell you, it has been a WILD photographic ride. Let me introduce you, if you don’t already know her:
I had the opportunity to do a small piece about her for Undercover Artist (www.UndercoverArtist.com), so I’ll share a snippet.
MessQueen New York
In the October Atlanta heat in 2010 I had my first encounter with Miss MessQueen. Propped up next to her sticker clad hot pink bike with a lime green wheel, was a young ball of energy sporting neon hair. I knew we would be instant friends when, without formal introduction, she commented that since I was wearing a cut-up Colt 45 t-shirt it was absolutely necessary that I have a beer in my hand. How can you argue with that logic? We shared PBR’s in the park while watching the national bike messenger race, exchanging stories, knocking a few back, and enjoying the perfect afternoon.
Courtney M. Gamble, or “Tiny Terrible,” as she often refers to herself, has burst onto the East Coast fashion scene with a mash-up of bold neon, intricate patterns and unexpected trims. She creates a wide variety of leggings, harem pants, tops and accessories for both men and women in every color of the crayola crayon box.
Courtney is the quintessential fashionista, with her own point of view and a wardrobe of spandex to show it. She received her Associates Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Katharine Gibbs in 2007, and continues to further her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology where she is working toward her Patternmaking Certificate.
Hailing originally from the deep south of Louisiana, Courtney masterminds every step of production of the MessQueen New York line out of her loft overlooking the New York City skyline. Her designs reflect the lifestyle of a woman on-the-go, and she draws inspiration from her love of cycling and New York bike culture. To say that her style is wild would be an understatement, Courtney combines colors that wouldn’t conventionally be paired, mixes and matches patterns, and uses a plethora of trims. Fringe hangs from arms and legs, sometimes she layers lace over her neon colors, and sometimes she lets her MessQueen girls show a little leg.
In 2012, she will unleash her first official legging line on an unsuspecting world. Her latest patterns have gone into production and will be available on a massive scale in the very near future. She will also be launching a line of children’s leggings that she is tentatively calling her Tiny Terrible Line. Courtney also takes custom orders from spandex lovers across the globe.
Courtney’s work is available for order on etsy.com/shop/nycmessqueen. Her 2012 line can be previewed at www.messqueenny.com
Oh, did I mention that she is also an amazing model?
I enjoyed the weekends when she came to visit the City of Brotherly Love and we had impromptu fashion shoots. Courtney was always willing to put up with my crazy ideas and off the cuff location scouting, I like to think she had a little fun too.
Love ya Courtney! You’re such an inspiration to me!
Living in South Philadelphia has provided me with plenty of great photo opportunities. Just a few nights ago I was taking a walk by my neighborhood and saw the General Manufacturing Company all lit up. I knew immediately that I had to capture this sight. The puffs of smoke and industrial lighting with the backdrop of a clear night sky were simply awe inspiring.
Last night I dragged my tripod out to capture this image
I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. By using a very slow shutter speed, I was able to capture the whispiness of the clouds. And a low ISO gave me clear ambient light.
Ali is a young, talented actress and model from the Philadelphia area.
These two photos were taken in a creepy Philadelphia basement. I hoped to juxtapose the softness of Ali’s skin with the texture and cracks of the walls around her. In my work, I like to have beautiful things in strange or grimy places.
Possibly one of my all time favorite shots of Ali happened in a spur of the moment decision in which she grabbed a random red hat, threw it on her head, and struck this magnificent pose. I love how luscious her lips look!
Photographed a few delectable goodies made by SweeTreats, they taste as good as they look! Yum! Check out their facebook page for some of their other yummy treats.
http://www.facebook.com/EatSweeTreats
Cake detail from my Its About Details shoot
I love detailed images shot with a wide aperture setting, especially of flowers.
Carrie Lorraine Photography 