K. Jordan Photography | Dayton, OH Family Photographer

The Vision Vs. The Result

Pin-up and graveyards

Although I normally do family photography, I also enjoy creative sessions. Recently, I had the pleasure of collaborating with a talented local model, Abbey, on a Halloween-inspired project. Though we didn’t spend much time preparing for the photoshoot, we were certain about our unique setting: a graveyard. Abbey’s passion for pin-up style presented a creative challenge for me, as it was new territory. Surprisingly, the fusion of pin-up aesthetics with a graveyard backdrop turned out to be an unexpectedly harmonious blend.

In this blog, I will discuss the challenges, process, and outcome of this creative session.

Challenges

I connected with Abbey through a Facebook group when she was seeking a photographer for her Halloween-themed project, which immediately piqued my interest. After brainstorming various ideas together, we settled on a unique photoshoot in a graveyard. The “pin-up bat” concept emerged just a day or two prior to the shoot, presenting an exciting challenge for me since pin-up generally does not go along with graveyards. Eager to express my creative flair, I aimed to blend my own style with a vintage aesthetic. Hoping that it would all come together, the photoshoot was booked.

We had initially planned the photoshoot for 6 P.M. to take advantage of natural lighting that wasn’t so harsh outside. However, with rain in the forecast, we decided to move it to 4 P.M., anticipating the high cloud coverage for that time as well. Just before the shoot began, a downpour hit, but we agreed to wait it out, hoping for a break in the weather. Fortunately, our patience paid off as the rain eventually subsided.

An old mausoleum in a cemetery with the name 'Schneider' on it, surrounded by gravestones and greenery.

Process

When it stopped raining, Abbey and I drove through the graveyard and scoped out potential shooting places. This graveyard was beautiful. There were a lot of old large headstones as well as mausoleums. Abbey and I worked together to find the perfect locations to shoot at.

After completing the photoshoot, the real challenge began: editing the images to achieve a spooky, moody atmosphere that echoed the vintage aesthetic of the 40s and 50s. Initially, I experimented with a technicolor approach, but the excessive saturation clashed with the eerie vibe I wanted to capture. I pivoted to a vintage Polaroid style that resonated better with the theme. To enhance the haunting feel further, I also incorporated black and white photos into the mix.

Results

The results of this photoshoot are nothing short of breathtaking. Abbey’s expertise in pin-up and modeling poses, combined with my photography and editing skills, created a harmonious blend. Together, we achieved a captivating fusion of vintage allure, spookiness, moodiness, and pin-up charm.

A woman in a black outfit with thigh-high slits sits on a stone bench in a cemetery, featuring gravestones and lush greenery in the background.
A woman poses confidently in a black outfit with a corset and skirt, surrounded by greenery and rocks, set against a moody sky.
A woman in a black dress poses dramatically in a graveyard, with her arms outstretched and a confident expression, surrounded by tombstones and greenery.
A woman in a black corset and leather skirt poses confidently on a path in a cemetery, surrounded by gravestones and trees.
A woman stands in a black leather dress with a corset design, wearing high heels, and poses playfully outdoors against a stone backdrop. She has long, wavy hair and is gesturing with her hands.