Photoshoot: MJ as Tie Fighter Reserve Pilot

My wife MJ has wanted to join the 501st for some time now. Her first obstacle was deciding on a costume. She was looking for something that will be affordable to make and easy to transport. There aren't as many option for women who want to costume in the Star Wars genre that don't want to be princess Leia or a Jedi.

That decision became easier when Vader Dave Mondo offered to make a costume for her out of appreciation for the photography services that I had given him. Vader Dave is well know for making screen accurate costumes that will meet the criteria for admittance in the 501st Legion. He suggested a Tie Fighter Reserve Pilot. It packs up compactly, is comfortable to wear and it is also the beginning of the full Tie Fighter costume should MJ decide to evolve the costume further.
Vader Dave's professional website is http://vaderdave.com

Photo assistants: Tony and Kate Pine, Roy Grimm, Stayce Petraborg and Steven Larson

New Policy Regarding Image Files

Too many of my photos have been used without my permission for calendars, magazine and other for-profit applications without my knowledge or credit. I have had clothing and prop designers use my photos for advertising without any compensation.


People making prints for personal use never bothered me. Although truthfully most of my friends say that they post the photos to Flikr and Faceboook more than they ever make prints.

I am still going to be giving away web size digital images when I shoot for fun at conventions so that people can post them to their personal sites. I am not going to be giving the high resolution image for free anymore.

Paid/Bartered private shoots of course have different rules.

Lightbox II

After Dragon Con my original UPS box lights had taken a beating and so I laid them to rest.

Little did I know I would be attending Anime Weekend Atlanta as a guest photographer.

In keeping with the UPS theme that worked so well at Dragon Con my wife MJ will be doing Key Grip work in her UPS costume with my newly constructed light-box (of doom)! David McVey and Miraya Dust will be assisting as well.

Oh one thing I did do that isn't shown. Instead of mutilating another umbrella to use as diffusion material I just a white garbage bag instead and of course some bubble wrap.

Light in a box.

So I took my first UPS ninja softbox for a spin tonight. I think it's time to go make the second one.