...kinda like "All Summer in a Day," except working, not getting locked in a closet...

One of those "everyone in the world needs to book their time THIS WEEKEND" scenarios... which is lovely, but even with two studios, there are only so many hours to go around. I'm not quite as maxed out as the "24 hours of bookings in one day" weekend, but I'm also working sessions for 9 hours each of Saturday and Sunday, so it's much more intensive than only coordinating photo rentals.

Tonight I have to bring in some props and set pieces for a shoot tomorrow that got scheduled on very short notice yesterday... quite a large project that I may also be shooting for on Tuesday, depending upon how many models show up and what the client feels is still needed to complete the project after tomorrow. I'll say a little more about it once the shoots are in the bag, but it's a project I've become more and more excited about on an artistic level as I've spent time discussing details and reviewing some concept test shots with the client yesterday and today.

So tonight and tomorrow morning are studio setup, interrupted briefly by an appointment with another client stopping by to drop off a payment at noon. Then we'll be shooting from around 2pm till somewhere in the 10-11pm range, and finishing up reviewing and making a rough cut of the images by midnight.

Follow that up with teardown and resetting both studios for everyday client shoots happening in both rooms Saturday morning, with rentals of Studio B continuing Saturday while The Natives come in for recording work for the afternoon and evening in Studio A. Saturday night might see the opportunity for some sleep! Then repeat process Sunday, photo rentals in Studio B, recording session in Studio A.

Take a breath after making it that far, because it doesn't slow down much next week.

Monday will be spent processing the client's final selection of images from tomorrow's shoot, then there's most likely going to be a second round of shooting on Tuesday. More processing on Wednesday, and getting ready to go to Colorado for Thanksgiving - leaving Thursday, returning Friday. Back for the weekend for clients, more image processing, and try to keep at least a little part of Saturday or Sunday to spend at the Battledress anti-holiday get-together.

Complete image processing Monday Nov 30, and deliver final images to client on Dec 1. Continue daily business... and the release of the project is set for December 12. VERY fast timeline from shoot to publication... so that's kind of nice since it does mean there won't be a really long wait to be able to post/show some of the work.

We've got a detailed timeline laid out, and I'm sincerely hoping the shoot tomorrow runs reasonably close to the project plan as we've laid it out. I always expect things to take somewhat longer than planned - that's almost a given.

So meanwhile, having already done set shopping this afternoon, a mix session this evening, and set up the control room computer for client image review tomorrow, it's now time to load in the props, do some assembly, lay out my equipment, clean up the studios, do a preliminary lighting setup...

Take a nap, if time permits, before it all kicks into gear tomorrow...

A day/week/month in the life of a studio owner/recording engineer/photographer...

Probably won't be online much over the weekend, so if you don't hear from me, figure I'm somewhere working over a camera or a mixing board!

Adam Chilson Photography Workshops at D. M. Gremlin Studios, Long Beach, CA

Intermediate/Advanced Studio Lighting
December 13th ~~ 10am-7pm ~~ $180
**4 spots open**

Instructor: Adam Chilson (*Doomsday-Dawn)
MUA/Stylist: Lisa Berczel (^Battledress)
Model: Siam (*x---MarchHare---x)

This workshop has been rescheduled due to instructor illness to a new date of December 13th.

Curriculum will be intermediate to advanced studio lighting, continuing from our "Introductory Lighting Techniques" class itinerary. Focus will be on fetish fashion, glamour, and artistic nude photography, with full wardrobe and styling.

We are pleased to announce as our Featured Model, fashion and fetish model SIAM.



In the short time since her relocation from her native UK to Los Angeles, Siam has made a splash in the fashion and fetish scene. She has modeled for numerous designers including Madame Dulcibelle Corsetry, Leatherotic, and Antiseptic Fashion, for which she appears in issue #46 of Marquis Magazine.

Siam is quite selective in booking shoots, and this workshop offers a rare opportunity to shoot with her in a private studio setting, outside of the couture and event performance environment.

Workshop instructor Adam Chilson (*Doomsday-Dawn) creates his jaw-dropping images within a single exposure, using little and often zero Photoshop or digital post-editing, and teaches from this perspective.

Images from his most recent project:


This is an opportunity to spend a day learning from the artist capable of conceiving and executing these otherworldly images. The workshop program does not include live fire elements.

The workshop series presents controlled precision lighting techniques for portrait and artistic nude photography, along with set design elements to create eye-catching images. Each full-day workshop combines demonstration and discussion of lighting setups with hands-on practice, and multiple shooting sets with fine art models.

Workshops include full makeup and styling by Lisa Berczel (^Battledress) to complete the polished look of the images shot within the class. Bodypainting elements may or may not be included, as time and participants' experience level allows.

Each workshop is limited to eight photographers for plenty of individualized Q&A and shooting for every participant.

Workshop participation is by advance registration/payment only. Registration includes the full day workshop, lunch, and promotional model releases.

Please email studio@dm-gremlin.com for further information or registration.