Most of the time here at Java's Bachelor Pad, we focus on
the beauties who pose in front of the camera. Right now, we would like
to introduce you to a beauty who works behind the lens. Her name is Danielle
Bedics. She is the creative force behind White
Rabbit Studio. Her photos explore the intersection between cheesecake,
film, and fantasy. Bedics' pictures explode with color and life,
bringing a real sense of energy and vitality to every gal she photographs.
Java
got
a hold of Bedics recently for this exclusive JBP interview.
* * * * *
Java's Bachelor Pad: How would you describe
your approach to pin-up photography?
Danielle Bedics: My approach to creating
the perfect pinup is to first come up with the concept of the shoot.
Before I even pick up the camera, I already have a general idea of what
I want the "theme" of the shoot to be. Once I have a general idea,
I collect the props and put the set together. At that point it's
time to select the model who best fits the theme. Then I collaborate
with my hair/makeup artists and stylists on getting just the right look.
Use of color is also extremely important to me, so that's why you'll see
a lot of what people sometimes call "Technicolor" in my photos.
JBP: How did you get involved in photography?
DB: I was actually a digital illustrator
before I became a photographer. I needed to photograph my own models
for my illustrations and that's how I became interested in photographing
pinups.
JBP: Women pin-up photographers are a lot
rarer than male photographers. Does this effects your relationship with
your models? Does it effect the final product?
DB: I think being a woman might make
some models a bit more comfortable, but generally, I think most professional
models are comfortable in front of the camera no matter what gender is
behind it, so no I wouldn't really say it affects the final product.
I do have to say though that most of my friendships have been formed through
photography, so a lot of my models are now my friends.
JBP: You photos work a lot with what I
like to call pin-up archetypes....a certain set of poses, costumes, and
color schemes...yet your photos are undeniably modern. How do you work
that balance?
DB: While my images are heavily retro
influenced, I still like to keep things up-to-date through use of vibrant
colors or perhaps a twist in wardrobe. A sexy stiletto may not have
been something you'd necessarily see in a true vintage photo -- it's just
plain sexy!
JBP: You have worked a lot with Dita Von
Teese, who is considered one of the most famous pin-up models working today.
Is it too early to make the Bunny Yeager/Bettie Page connection?
DB: Well I don't know that I could ever
compare myself to Bunny Yeager, but I will say that Dita is a fantastic
model and our collaboration has produced some of the best work of my career.
She truly is a muse and one of the most glamorous models I have had the
pleasure of working with. You will definitely be seeing a lot more
shoots from Dita and I in the future.
JBP: How about influences from Irving Klaw?
I saw a great set recently from you featuring Heidi Van Horne and Sabina
that is very reminiscent of his work. Who else influences you?
DB: Actually, Heidi and Sabina approached
me over the Summer months with the idea of doing an Irving Klaw inspired
shoot. Heidi and Sabina are very complimentary to one another so
they didn't really need to twist my arm on that one! We came up with
our own sexy girl/girl scenario that had a spur of the moment (pretend)
catfight at the end of the shoot.
As far as other influences, I get most of my
inspiration from motion pictures as well as books. I could never
name any one artist that influences me. There are so many out there
with a lot of different range. I enjoy everything from the sweet
pinup paintings of Gil Elvgren to the movies of Tim Burton.
JBP: Besides pin-ups, you have also explored
fantasy photography. Was this a natural extension from cheesecake or did
this come from something else?
DB: This sort of ties into the prior
question. I have so many different visions I want to create.
Not just pinups. And because I watch a lot of movies, I tend to draw
a lot of inspiration from motion pictures. Moulin Rouge was a visually
stunning film which inspired me to shoot a few Victorian themed and absinthe
laced photos. For a while there I'd been watching Lord of the Rings
on DVD and of course that gave me visions of elves and fairy like images.
I've even been inspired to do certain photo sets after coming back from
Disneyland!
JBP: What sorts of themes/ideas are you
currently working with? Any previews to what you're working on now?
DB: Yes. You'll be able to see
quite a bit of my work in Dita Von Teese's upcoming book "Burlesque and
the Art of the Teese" due out early next year. Also look for me in
the latest issue of Spectrum 11, a compilation of the best in contemporary
fantastic art.
JBP: Where do you think the pin-up and
pin-up photography fit within popular culture today? What do you hope to
accomplish with your photography?
DB: Over the past few years I have seen
a lot of celebs styled and photographed as vintage pinups; J-Lo, Sarah
Michelle Gellar, and Britney Spears just to name a few. I think pin-up
is little by little creeping its way into mainstream, and if it ever does
come through full force I'd really like to be a part of that.
As far as what I want to accomplish, well,
I've always done photo shoots simply because I enjoy creating stuff.
Sometimes I just have a vision and I need to get it out there. If
people are willing to hire me to do what I love, I don't complain.
But really my art has always been something I do to satiate my own creative
drive.
