The Secret Garden

“Is the spring coming?” he said. “What is it like?”…
“It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine…”
―~Frances Hodgson Burnett

On a foggy day in Blowing Rock,NC I went out with Paul Cory Photography and captured some Spring inspired magic. It wasn’t exactly shot in a garden…although there were flowers,plants and life all around. It’s actually a beautiful place called Bass Lake. If you are familiar with Moses Cone Manor…it overlooks this lake. It’s a favorite spot of mine.

The costuming/headdress was all upcycled/repurposed by me. The corset is handmade,also by me. Every element was important or special to me in some way. The iron keys on my belt were given to me by my great-aunt Virginia who was like a grandmother to me. The tambourine was my dads from when he played in a band during the 70’s and the fringe wrap is from my great – great grandmother. I keep everything….always.

Bass Lake is very much like a secret garden. When I lived in Blowing Rock,I could walk there from my house. I did so often. The main path around the lake is nice…but once you wonder off the beaten path it’s just magic. So many areas to explore.

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
~Margaret Atwood

Paul Cory Photography captured the feel of Spring perfectly in these photos. I am honored to have been a part of this lovely day ❤

“It is a very beautiful day. The woman looks around and thinks: ‘there cannot ever have been a spring more beautiful than this. I did not know until now that clouds could be like this. I did not know that the sky is the sea and that clouds are the souls of happy ships, sunk long ago. I did not know that the wind could be tender, like hands as they caress – what did I know – until now?”
~Unica Zürn

My life has finally got me back in a position to shoot again. Motivation has been at an all time low but I think with the Spring I’m starting to come back around. So..stay tuned 🙂

All photos property of Paul Cory Photography ❤

Visit me daily on my second blog : Atlas Moonkitty’s Menagerie

Until next time…

In flowers,

~Atlas Moonkitty

“The Wreckage Of Our Youth”

“With the seasons winding down
We were going through the wreckage of our youth…”

“There was a small and subtle sound
That I followed in hopes that I’d find truth…”

These beautiful film captures are courtesy of the always amazing,Drake Avenue Photography. I found this dress at Goodwill for $5 and made the flower crown myself.

“But home never really felt much like home
I want to feel it in my bones
I hope it’s somewhere out there, somewhere out there…”

Dead Tracks

We shot in an abandoned area in Statesville Nc. It was pretty perfect. I LOVE urbex and the isolation of being the only two people in any place. It just creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I think that’s half the reason I dislike group shoots these days. I’ve been having an issue with finding any connection to almost anything. It’s been a strange unsettling January but I’m looking forard to February.

“And God, does he ever reveal the plot?
Has he given this place much thought?
I hope he’s somewhere out there, somewhere out there now…”

“There were roses painted red
So we pulled them down and used them for their thorns…”

“They placed a crown upon your head
And you felt it from the moment you were born…”

Possibly my favorite shot.

“But home never really felt much like home
I want to feel it in my bones
I hope it’s somewhere out there, somewhere out there…”

All images by Drake Avenue Photography

Lyrics taken from “Somewhere Out There” by Hume which really speaks to me today on so many levels.

Until next time…

The lady in red,

~Atlas Moonkitty

“The Curve Is More Powerful Than The Sword.”

“I wrote the story myself. It’s about a girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.”

A few years ago The North Carolina Photography Group hosted a shoot out at Castle McCulloch in Jamestown,NC. The theme for these events is always just OPEN. You can wear whatever you want. Ladies and gentlemen would show up in formal wear which was beautiful in a castle setting. Some wore costumes or street clothes,anything was a GO!

At this time I was still just putting on a costume and coming out for fun. I didn’t know anything about modeling. I just interacted with new people and photographers and tried to learn a thing or two while I was at it 🙂

Green nails….nails are always an issue for me when I shoot. Haha.

“I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.”

Brutcher’s Photography

I’m wearing a Lilah from Jonah Hex costume…straight out of the bag. Pretty good quality. I made the top hat myself because I had also worn this to a Mardi Gras event. I paid too much for this costume so I got my use out of it,haha.

Photography by Zachary Perlow

“I’m no model lady. A model’s just an imitation of the real thing.”

Currently life has been so busy and I’ve also felt a little hermit like and uninspired. I haven’t planned on any new shoots but I have SO many ideas in my head. As soon as I get out of my funk I know of a few photographers that are going to have to deal with me! Haha! Don’t feel too bad for them,they love me!

William Wyrick Photography

I’m also hoping to lead some group shoot outs around the downtown area here. I have some great ideas for themes! I’m really interested in making some new connections and just having fun again. Everything right now is crazy serious. I need a release. So stay tuned!

“Ladies who play with fire must remember that smoke gets in their eyes.”

At dusk they light the torches that line the walkway at the castle….magical!

My favorite part of this costume is the overskirt! It gives me life! I have often thought about remaking this costume with a real corset to make it screen accurate. I will say though,for a packaged costume,this was well made. It’s held up nicely through two events,three photo shoots and one water shoot!

Hope everyone is having a great week! Let’s all spread positive energies and love! It’s needed 🙂

All quotes by thee amazing Mae West

Until next time…

Reminiscing,

~Moonkitty

Studio Modeling

When I first started modeling,around seven years ago, it was mostly at group meetups and with a few friends that were learning photography. I got added as a studio model around 6 months into showing up at random group meetups by The North Carolina Photography Group.

Kira Wood Photography

Kira Wood Photography

Kira Wood Photography

When I started attending  these studio based shoots I was mainly modeling with two other awesome gals, Tiffany and Morgan 🙂 We hit it off, right away,  and from that moment on had a blast at any shoot we were a part of!

Photography by Abhishek Joshi

They called us The NCPG Angels. Three ladies,three different personalities and styles and each with our own brand of crazy.

Torey Searcy Photography

These studio shoots were for learning photographers and others honing their skills. Photographers could come take different classes with various themes like lighting or posing techniques. We were used as the main models. The classes were held once or twice monthly. We also continued to have themed group meetups at various locations.

This is how the magic happens…..

Yep….. Photography by Abhishek Joshi

For these specific shoots we brought whatever we wanted to model. Later on we coordinated outfits more. I usually brought costumes,bad wigs….and my weirdo personality 🙂

Photography by William Wyrick

As with any group shoot or meetup you get photographers of all styles. It was always so much fun to see what everyone came up with. Everyone was at different levels ….everything from beginner to advanced.

Andrew Gentry Photography

Andrew Gentry Photography

Andrew Gentry Photography

Our studio space was very small. You got to know the photographers and any other models used quite quickly. You learn to work together,share the light and to coordinate wardrobe changes so that no time is lost. It’s good discipline!

Andrew Gentry Photography

Andrew Gentry Photography

Andrew Gentry Photography

Andrew Gentry Photography

Looking back over these photos is so much fun! My style has changed and changed and then changed again. I learned a lot during this time and hopefully I improved. I knew nothing about “modeling” when I started. Tiffany and Morgan were already pros though. Thank you both so much for being so welcoming to me!

Abhishek Joshi Photography

Sometimes photographers catch you at your absolute BEST 🙂

I am the best model!! Andrew Gentry Photography

 

Until next time….

Throwing it back,

~Moonkitty

 

 

“In the Midst Of Winter…”

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

~Albert Camus

We’ve been covered in snow and coldness here in Jamestown NC for a few days now. Today I was finally able to get out and about again! They never came to scrape our neighborhood so we just had to deal with it until it as all melted. The gloom and cold have me dreaming of Spring and Summer once again!

“Because the birdsong might be pretty,
But it’s not for you they sing,
And if you think my winter is too cold,
You don’t deserve my spring.”
~Erin Hanson

These outdoor boudoir images were all taken by Anora Crescent Photography in and around Greensboro NC. The wardrobe was simple,some pretty vintage slips, pearls and my big ol naturally curly hair.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ~John Steinbeck

“The snow has not yet left the earth, but spring is already asking to enter your heart. The trees are bare, but they are already living and breathing.”
~Anton Chekhov

A personal goal for me in my modeling this year is to incorporate more boudoir themes. I have SO many ideas and pieces I’ve thrifted over the past few years. Now it’s time to put them to good use!

Until next time…

In Vintage,

~Moonkitty

“This Snow Globe World”

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
~Lewis Carroll

Snow was a pretty common Winter occurrence when I lived in Blowing Rock,NC. You either had it on the ground or it was falling from the sky. I lived in downtown which was a walking distance to pretty much anything I needed….and work ….so it didn’t bother me one bit. I grew to love it.

The day Intimate Images Photography and I  shot these photos,at Moses Cone Manor,there was a wind chill of -7. I honestly don’t know how I didn’t get frost bite!

“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people’s legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.”
~Sarah Addison Allen

It was a magical location to shoot in…with all the snow. From the mountain top you can see for miles. No one was around except us,obviously! Haha. Those crazies just dying for snow photos!

“Since it has quietly began to snow,
new distances have awakened within me.”
~Gerrit Achterberg

I no longer live where the locals are used to snow. BUT here in Jamestown,NC we got around 9 or so inches over night. We rarely get anything other than ice in this area so everyone is excited. So far I’ve made coffe, snow cream,chili and walked around the neighborhood. Netflix is probably going to be rocking the rest of this day! I’m really feeling like watching The Shining at some point!

“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?”
~J.B. Priestley

“Snowflakes fall from high.
Flurries lift and twirl below.
The world has turned white.”
~Richelle E. Goodrich

Until next time…

Covered in snow,

~Moonkitty

 

“Your Wildest Dreams”

“Once upon a time
Once when you were mine
I remember skies
Reflected in your eyes…”

I may have mentioned this a time or two BUT film photography is the new love of my life. It just feels REAL. So much of the time in modeling I’m trying to be something else. “God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.”- William Shakespeare.
That’s a lot of fun but showing your true self makes you feel alive in a much different way. Hello world this is me…

“I wonder where you are
I wonder if you think about me
Once upon a time
In your wildest dreams…”

These images were created by an amazing friend of mine out of Charlotte NC. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram as Mogophotosclt. She makes the magic!! We met as studio models about six years ago. She’s always been a creative force of nature. Her photography,just like her modeling,is brilliant.

“And when the music plays
And when the words are touched with sorrow
When the music plays
I hear the sound I had to follow
Once upon a time…”

“Once beneath the stars
The universe was ours
Love was all we knew
And all I knew was you…”

“I wonder if you know
I wonder if you think about it
Once upon a time
In your wildest dreams…”

 

Lyrics taken from “Your Wildest Dreams” by The Moody Blues ❤

All film photography  by Mogophotosclt

Lingerie made by Atlas Moonkitty

Hope everyone is having an aesome start to 2017!

Love always,

~Moonkitty

 

 

“These Are A few Of My Favorite Things!”

This year is coming to an end. Everyone is already posting resolutions for what they will do in the new year. I don’t have any of those. No resolutions,just getting shit done!

Speaking of getting it done…here are my favorite photos from this year. I didn’t shoot a ton but it’s been fantastic to be creative and work with every single one of you! Hopefully next year I can work with you all again and some newbies! I have so many ideas in my head,I just can’t wait!

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
~Ansel Adams

Art piece of me by the awesome Alex E Quintero

“And the worst thing was, there were no mirrors out there in the wild, so the princess was left wondering whether she in fact was still beautiful… or if the fall had changed the story completely.” ~Scott Westerfeld

Keymoon Photography

Keymoon Photography

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bill Welch Photography

“This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.”
~T.S. Eliot

Kenneth A Kivett Photography

“We went down into the silent garden. Dawn is the time when nothing breathes, the hour of silence. Everything is transfixed, only the light moves.”
~Leonora Carrington

“I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper-thin and when magic, old magic, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it.”
~ Carolyn MacCullough

Bill Welch Photography

“I spent my life folded between the pages of books.
In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.”
~ Tahereh Mafi

Bill Welch Photography

“If I could save time in a bottle”

~Jim Croce

Quicksilver,X-Men Days Of Future Past. Kenneth A Kivette Photography

I hope everyone had a great year! Going forward let’s put all the love and happiness we can into today,tomorrow and super charge that going into 2017! I appreciate every one of you for being here and following me on my journey through life.

Love Always,

~Moonkitty

“Shake Up Christmas”

“There was a story that I was told
And I want to tell the world before I get too old
And don’t remember it, so let’s December it
And reassemble it, oh yeah…”

Photography by William Wyrick

Photography by William Wyrick

It’s Christmas Eve….EVE! I don’t know about you but I’m super excited! It has me looking through older Christmas themed modeling photos and remembering good times from season’s past.

Dragon’s Lair Photography

I feel lucky to have been able to host a few of these Christmas shoots at Castle McCulloch. Those were always a blast! It’s a great space to have a shoot. You can do anything from lingerie and sexy implied to ugly sweaters!

I love shooting in the castle windows.

“Once upon a time in a town like this
A little girl made a great big wish
To fill the world full of happiness
And be on Santa’s magic list…”

Photography from Brent LaFever

Every gal likes to dress like a sexy Santa every once in a while! I like to dress like several versions. I was thrilled to be able to use my xtra-xtra long Santa hat for once!

“Shake it up, shake up the happiness
Wake it up, wake up the happiness
Come on all, it’s Christmas time…”

I both started and finished my shopping this week. Being out in the crowds was interesting this year. They really didn’t seem so bad! And the retail working were pretty jolly. I had fun!

Each year I participate in SantaCon. If you haven’t heard of this….lemme fill you in. It’s a huge organized Christmas themed bar crawl! Everyone dresses up,sings dirty carols,plays games and gives out treats to the random people we encounter. WE descend upon bars and bring cheer and happiness!

“‘Tis the season to smile
It’s cold but we’ll be freezing in style…”

“I know you’re out there,I hear your reindeer
I see the snow where your boots have been…”

“I’m gonna show them so they will know then
Then love will grow and
They believe again…”

I love Christmas themes obviously. I think I tried to fit them ALL in. Haha.

“Shake it up, shake up the happiness
Wake it up, wake up the happiness
Come on all, it’s Christmas time!”

I hope everyone is having the best season ever!! Loads of love to you all and I’ll see you all in the new year!

Happiest of holidays…

~Moonkitty ❤

Lyrics taken from “Shake Up Christmas” by Train

 

Winter Song

“This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon,
It rolls in from the sea…”

SONY DSC

Winter has steadily worked its way into my heart. If someone had told me even three years ago that this was going to be fact…oh I would have laughed! I lived in the sun and heat. I hated sweaters,boots,snow,the way the whole city would close down…anything Winter related.

Once I moved to Blowing Rock,NC though I got used to it. Snow was common and Winter was VERY cold. You begin to like living in coats,comfy hats,boots and scarves. You continue to do whatever you need to no matter the weather. If you stopped when it snowed..,you’d never do anything in the mountains haha. Now Summer in Greensboro NC feels like Hell to me.

“My voice; a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light,
To carry you to me…”

These photos by Anora Crescent capture the heart of Winter for me. The stillness,the chill that hangs in the air,the natural death of trees. These are a sort of mourning . Perhaps the loss of Summer or of the Autumn foliage. As I look through the, they almost seem to be telling the story of a lost love or sister.

“They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow,
Or so I have been told…”

SONY DSC

“They say were buried far,
Just like a distant star
I simply cannot hold…”

“This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
‘Cause you’re not where you belong;
Inside my arms…”

“I still believe in summer days.
The seasons always change
And life will find a way…”

“I’ll be your harvester of light
and send it out tonight
so we can start again…”

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

“Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive? …”

Lyrics taken from “Winter Song” By Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.

Photography by Anora Crescent

Second model Bailey Re

Until next time…

In love with the cold,

~Moonkitty