I had plenty of free time now that I no longer worked delivering pizza. I decided to practice my craft by photographing people. Anyone and anywhere. They could be walking their dogs, fishing, having lunch on park benches, waiting for the bus. Anyone. Obviously, I would ask first. Taking someone’s photograph is very personal and even though they may be in public, they should still be afforded some measure of privacy. Most people agreed readily. Some even asked me to email them photos which I did. Some even sent me back money for the photos. It was fun and it passed the time.
Great Expectations was one of my favorite books by Charles Dickens and because I had so much free time I decided to read it again. Funny, but it seems like each time you read any novel again, at least for me, you gain new insights. The relationship between Pip and Estelle stood out this time around. I knew how the novel ended so even as I was reading it, I began to wonder at the depth of Estelle. I wonder if she had been real what it would have been like to photograph her.
Ivan called and said the next shoot was to be more elaborate than the others. It was to be a western genre like the movie Young Guns except with the DICE. They had hired a very reputable costume company to custom fit the entire wardrobe to the ladies’ specifications. Boots, chaps, vests, gloves, and hats. Even guns with holsters. Everything. It sounded super exciting. There was going to be support staff to assist the ladies getting dressed up and putting on make-up. They had located a ranch nearby that they were going to rent for the day with horse trainers. And I would be like the director of the shoot! This was awesome! The costume company was going to set up in the garage of the Mansion and he wanted me to be there and help select the outfits for the ladies. This should be a lot of fun and I have to say I was pretty excited.
The day arrived for the fittings and I drove my car to the Mansion, parking outside this time. I didn’t need any equipment, but I decided to bring my camera in anyway. The women were just as excited as I was. The garage was cordoned off for the different attire. And each section had assistants and tailors to take measurements. There must have been like 20 people in the garage that were completely professional and made the ladies feel comfortable in the process. The boots section alone had a wide variety of boots. It was almost like a circus.
It was still a job and we got to work. There was a main supervisor and then Aurora, Piper, and Josie had individual assistants. I was mainly there to offer my opinions. The costumes had to be uniform and coordinated so that the separate parts fit the overall effect. This wasn’t just photographing the women in lingerie or bikinis. However, they even had a lingerie section. That was where we started. There were no jeans for this shoot. Under the chaps and the vests and the holsters there was to be lingerie. It wasn’t a movie we were making after all. And believe it or not, they had unique vintage lingerie even back in the old west. The ladies were a little miffed when they had to try the underwear on over their own, but I smoothed things out by taking some pics and letting them know that they were going to look super hot. They picked out boots with spurs. Not real spurs of course. They were fascinated with the leather chaps and how to buckle them on. I made sure that there were no places that might cause chaffing to the skin. The last thing I wanted was one of the women having blisters on their backsides. Vests then light long-coats. Leather gloves made to fit. The women loved the holsters and guns and pretended to shoot everyone. The guns were not real, but again I insisted that the gun-belts were fitted to not cause any chaffing. I had to look out for my friends. That just left the hats and scarves. Unfortunately, because some of the things had to be tailored, we could not put the outfits together until the day of the shoot. I was sure it was going to be a long day. A long day, but a fun day.
A few days later, we went to the ranch. Josie was familiar with horses, but Aurora and Piper had never ridden and some, not all the shots, required them to be on horseback. I wanted to see the ranch just to get a vision on how and where I thought the best shots would be taken. Aurora was definitely nervous around the horses. Actually, she seemed nervous around most of the animals. I tried to calm her down by saying she was going to make an incredible cowgirl. Jesse James and Billy the Kid would have nothing on her. She smiled at me and appeared to relax somewhat. With Aurora, you just never knew what she was thinking. They each had a horse trainer, but I stuck close to Aurora to offer any support. They were not going to be on the horses for very long. However, Ivan wanted a shot of them galloping so that would most likely be the scariest part. So, for most of the day they practiced trotting and galloping. Watching the women get on their horses was pretty funny. Even the smallest horse, Aurora’s, was huge compared to her. I took plenty of pics of her climbing into the saddle. It was a very exhausting day for the ladies. I am sure they had some sore leg muscles.
The day of the shoot was about a week later. I parked my car in the Mansion garage which was now completely cleaned up. Once again, there was a full-size truck for us to take to the ranch. The women were ready to go and after I quickly loaded my equipment we took off for the ranch. Aurora was up front and had a whimsical, knowing look on her face. Who knows with her. All the assistants and helpers were already there waiting for our arrival. Make-up artists and costume designers soon began working with Aurora, Piper and Josie. Those working with Aurora had strange expressions. Maybe it was the armpit hair. I have to say their western garb looked incredible. They could easily pass for old cowgirls. Well, with the exception that they had bare legs and exposed panties. Although they were no longer needed, many of the helpers stuck around.
It was decided that we would get the horse shots done first. These were pre-choreographed so there was really no room for experimentation. There were other animals at the ranch besides the horses and they seemed to have a keen interest in Aurora. Ducks, chickens, piglets, sheep, and dogs were following her and appeared to be sniffing her legs. Some of the trainers had to shoo them away. It was pretty funny. I ended up with plenty of photos with the horses. I captured them climbing up into the saddles, galloping and trotting. Aurora, however, insisted that I help her get into her saddle. Horses do have a strong aroma. They posed with their pistols drawn as well as carrying rifles. They posed in front of the horses and walking them. I thought it was great!
After the horses, the ladies went to a more secluded place in the corral. Unfortunately, for the eager observers, they were not allowed to watch this portion of the shoot. In front of hay bales, they now posed removing their coats, then vests and finally their chaps. Piper and Josie seemed particularly aroused and started kissing Aurora all over. Like aggressively. I mean MORE aggressively than other shoots. They buried their faces in her armpits and then went … between her legs. Soon, all they were wearing was their hats, holsters, gloves and boots. And I just kept on taking my pics.
Then Aurora said they wanted to get more pics on the horses. The horses were brought back in with the help of the eager trainers who I have to say were very professional all things considered. Aurora once again asked me to help her into the saddle. She struggled and I really had to make an effort to push her up. I didn’t realize that horses had such a strong smell. They went through the same poses as before and we quickly wrapped up the shoot. The ladies even gave the trainers a hug which they, with big smiles, appreciated.
The day went by fast, but it was still a long day. All the animals followed Aurora apparently to say goodbye. By the time we were leaving the sun was just beginning to set. The ladies got back into their lingerie for the ride home. Piper and Josie were in the backseats and were soon fooling around. Aurora was up front with me and although I pretended not to notice, she had her hands in her panties. She really has a hard time with this. A musty smell filled the truck. The smell of the horses must have rubbed off on the women.
I already knew what to expect as I pulled into the Mansion’s garage. Piper and Josie quickly hopped out and were gone. I followed Aurora. She didn’t have to ask. I just knew. We made our way through the house. She was still wearing her hat, gloves, and old west lingerie. I followed her up the stairs.
The sun was just rising when I woke up. Aurora had one leg across my stomach and she was fast asleep with her head on my chest, drool leaking from her lips. A strong smell of sweat lingered around the room. I carefully slid off the bed without waking Aurora. Quickly dressing, again I have no recollection of anything that happened, I made it to my car with my equipment and took off home. Why is it I always seem to lose my mind around Aurora? Is there a connection? She is so strange. Maybe I am cursed. Aurora. Armpit hair and sunglasses.
I got home and went to bed.
Badger Unfiltered 