In 2022, Deana Vazquez hired Distant Era to photograph her thirtieth birthday. It was to be a costumed live action role-play experience held in a local woodland park. However COVID outbreaks and rescheduling reduced the attendees down to only a couple. The result of this was Deana’s birthday session in the woods, featured in The All Worlds Traveller last year, as well as a quick mini session in studio, which I wanted to do to add value to Deana’s birthday shoot, since circumstances had changed its scope. Before we had even departed last year’s shoot in the woods, Deana began planning what she wanted to do for 2023. Her idea was pirates and mermaids. In spring 2023 she booked the shoot, and then last week Deana assembled a motley crew of salty pirates on South Beach in Evanston for a second attempt at the group live action role-play birthday concept.
On Being a Mermaid, by Deana Vazquez
I always considered myself more of a mermaid girl than a pirate, but for this shoot I really wanted to capture the essence of a massive transformation. To me this story represents the work, fears, and sacrifices I’ve made to be the person I am now, which in my opinion was about as strenuous as exchanging your legs for a tail. And at the same time we also got to see what can make that transformation easier; as cheesy as this will be, the true treasure is the friends you make in life that lift you, inspire you, and cheer you on. Beyond the stunning pictures, the real gift of this shoot was the genuine joy that Steven captured with me and the people that gave it to me.
Deana Vazquez
To sum it up, I absolutely loved this experience and couldn’t have done it without Steven and all the wonderful people that came as my crew and sea-folk family. It showed the challenges of taking the helm of your journey, the rewards and sacrifices of life changes, and the value of good friendships.
It’s All in the Timing
Several months prior, when Deana and I were discussing the time for the shoot, I used the Golden Hour One app, which shows me when the sun will begin its descent below the horizon, casting those beautiful golden rays through the atmosphere, transitioning into blue, and then darkness. So many of our summer days can be so bright and cloudless that, with the sun shining directly down overhead, lighting is stark, with dark shadows beneath noses, and the subjects squinting against the midday light or else heavily backlit. Thus, when planning ahead, golden hour seemed the most reliable choice for an outdoor summer shoot.
Sure enough, the sky was fairly clear on our day of choice, and by the time we arrived at the beach site, the sun had descended enough to give us great light, as well as some mild shade from the trees to the west of the beach where we were shooting.
Gear
Lately I’ve gotten better about bringing less to a remote shoot, concentrating on what I most need and am likely to use. This time, I packed the very flexible Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM, which would give me a good range of focal lengths, allowing me to go somewhat wide and zoom somewhat close, as well as open the lens wider to take in more light as the sun began to set. I also brought along my new 42” Westcott 6-in-one reflector to bounce light back on the subjects. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve only ever owned small reflectors, and I haven’t used them overly much, but this larger reflector certainly makes a difference. I also packed, but did not use, my portable MagMod flash kit and softbox, all contained within one bag. I didn’t think I’d need it, but better safe than sorry.
A Birthday Transformation
When I arrived at the site, I checked in with Deana to narrow down our objective for the evening. She said she’d like me to cover the improvised story that unfolded around her transformation from a pirate into a mermaid. I’d stay focused on her as the other characters interacted with her, and when she did costume changes, I’d shift to portraits and scenes featuring the other characters. I confirmed with Deana that the importance was on capturing the story unfolding under natural light rather than trying to make artsy flash portraits. With the mission in mind we set to shooting, and the flash gear remained behind.
I helped direct some of the action, suggesting the pirates all give Deana advice near the beginning. Eventually, the sea witches come in and cause trouble, seducing Deana off into the sea. Or at least that’s my interpretation. Here are a select few of the 1,400+ photographs from the pirates and mermaids session, in random order. Can you make out the gist of the story?
Once again, it was an honor to photograph Deana for her pirates and mermaids birthday. You’ll notice some familiar faces at the gathering from past All Worlds Traveller posts. This birthday shoot included: Deana, Elizabeth, John, Lottie á la West, Nathan, Sara, Grace, Sam, and Ziva.
I greatly appreciate Deana’s trust, patronage, and friendship. It was so much fun making this for her birthday.
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