This project was started in 2006 when I borrowed the concept from a film producer that had flown down from North Carolina to shoot footage of our event. The idea was born on the day of our World Record breaker and so it was a scramble to find subjects, a venue and a photographer. That first year 780444-9467 (Pat, our registration captain - and victim to Tammy's prank calls) posed with a small group that also included Kyrsti and Kali, Gord and Myself.
2007 the shoot was hosted inside K-Rock. Bill Cowen (photographer and DJ for K-Rock) did an outstanding job enhancing shadows. This shoot had Luke and Harman (Third Street Beat), Dylan Wowchuck (DJ from the Bounce), Hilary Anaka from Stollery, Amy Killips (teacher - who helps me put together our yearly videos), Tara Pinnell (teacher), Mike Hauptman (principal), Josh Bornia (karate peep), my mom (Colleen), Kyrsti and Kali (and peeps). Some of these images I had on my van and are still used for promotion (Luke still on my van) and Kyrsti and Kali's shots still used for various banners, etc.
2008 Curtis Comeau (www.curtiscomeau.com) shot our project inside a bar. Lighting was conducive and I think the kids thought being there was kinda cool! That year we had the infamous Weazie with her ongoing shenanigans, my little sister Aimee (which totally warmed my heart), myself, Jason Roberts (DJ from Capital FM) Marlese Richards (our yearly shave and Telus Queen), my wonderful neighbour Suzanne Borque (principal), dedicated volunteers Wendy Griffith, Carol Reilander (leader for Elmer Gish Massacure), Tina MacQueen (home page queen and merchandise captain), the two crazies with big hearts (Christie and Ginger - my captains), Christies daughter - Hannah Banana, and Kyrsti's peep - Natashi (my adopted tall daughter), Mels daughter Carlin, and more beauties that can be appreciated on our website.
http://hairmassacure.com/photo-video-galleries/bald-is-beautiful
That year, I had a lot of outstanding money that rolled into the shoot from our subjects. With no purse and no place to tuck the cash and cheques, we decided that Weazie could stick it all in her brazier. Officially Weazie could have told people that her had a $5,000 set of jubblies. Not sure how we got it all in there, but we did (while she posed). Anyone that knows Weazie would appreciate her humor and references to her boobs. I'm not in the club (for obvious reasons) so I can just laugh from afar.
That year I brought my trimmers and asked Mel to help me carve in some designs (hair tattoos). Now tattooing has become a signature trademark for our event (on a bald head).
2009 was shot by Claudine Lavoie (www.claudinelavoie.ca). This particular photographer allowed me to be (as Nicki described) - a "backseat photographer". I have now decided that this is what I want to be when I grow up!
2009, I invited the Paziuk fam (including 2 little adorable girls). This was CUTE because the youngest girl stuck her tongue out (kept that!) and cheered when Dad left the picture (Yay!! Daddy's out!!). Brett Arlinghouse - Claudine drew on his back -(teacher and leader for Neil M Ross Massacure), Dusty (my adopted son and cancer survivor - sported his survivor tattoo and a quote from Kyrsti), Nadine (my dear friend and long term Massacure member) and her daughter, Bryce Mason, Emily / Joseph and Julia (siblings, volunteers and Kyrsti's peeps), Staceys daughter Liessa (also volunteer), Gina (my peep / karate / Hair Massacure enthusiast), Gord and the rest of the fam.
With exception of Gord, that year was the first time since 2004 that all of us girls had hair.
Those pics can be featured on our 2010 video (along with all corresponding years of video and bald is beautiful galleries). The midway point of each video will feature selected bald is beautiful photos.
http://hairmassacure.com/photo-video-galleries/videos
NOW.... For the exciting part - TODAY!
Back to Claudine Lavoie (because she is amazing and so hospitable to us, and.... lets me be a back seat photographer).
Today, I invited Ginger and Christie to come back (these sisters are both gorgeous and wear their hearts on sleeves), they also LOVE the camera...
Christie was unable to come, so we improvised. I was able to coerce Ging to strip down and give us her beautiful back to draw on. She was absolutely reluctant to do this and reminded me that it was only because she loved me..... or possibly my persistent begging. The shots were nothing short of art - captivating.
Gina came back with her son Ian (a loyal proud Victim) - his shots revealed "why it's cool to shave your head". I can't think of any guy his age who would not want to have that look.
Jarod Latendre (teacher and Massacure leader of Leo Nickerson) - another eye catcher with a huge heart! (Claudine drew on him too)
The Marano fam (whom we met at the Rush game) and the Potato Heads (Moore fam) were my chosen group shots (besides our own). The Moores have already been in a previous blog as I met these folks at our Spruce Grove Sobeys day. They had 2 twins missing today (from illness), so would have been 6 in total!
Emily and Sara from Primeau School are both is grade 8 (a testimony that a young teenage girl does not need hair to be striking!).
Our Steven and Megs had beautiful shots as a couple (with Megs hair in tact), and what can I say about Steve- the camera LOVES him!! Any pose, any face any way - he's candy!
Then there is little Jaime Buckley (Kali's long term peep).... Where do I start??..
I refer to Jaime as the hallway girl because she has spent a good chunk of her school years there. I say this affectionately because despite her "little Johnny" tendencies, you gotta love her! Jaime is a great kid with much charisma and also a repeat shave (who recruited mom as well!). Ironically, Jaime was chosen to wear angel wings in the shoot. She joked as she posed that she should have had horns.... we all found this choice of pose extremely funny (but captivating).
Last was us - this year with 2 additions. Steve and F.R.E.D. As usual he was a very good boy (referring to Fred), and posed very well for us although was inclined to do the belly show with his tongue rolled onto the black velvet. F.R.E.D was groomed at Krazy Klipz in Morinville by our friend and Mandy's boss Jen. 2 hearts on his sides, his nails painted pink....jen is meticulous with him. My next comment - "yes - he loves this". Poodles are show boats and this particular dog loves being pink because he knows he's a chic magnet and that really works for him.
Last shot was Nicki and I (yes, both with hair - THIS year). Nicki with her hands around my neck (but not in a loving and supportive manner...). Still I love her.
I love this shoot, as I feel it has a very special and intimate component to it. I have opportunity to connect a bit more with the folks that have participated. As we all know, the Massacure is chaotic and Tammy is spread in 6 directions. Bald is beautiful is casual, creative and as I said - intimate. I love that.
The subjects I invite every year - well thats just plain difficult to choose! There are so many beautiful heads, beautiful souls. I don't wish to slight anyone, but I have to make choices.
My choices have a variety of reasons and not always involving a picture perfect model.
This photo shoot really got Kyrsti and I thinking. Kali will be donating next year. Possibly time to shave again?
Special thanks to our warm and talented and photographer Claudine Lavoie. Hope she takes us back again next year!
http://www.claudinelavoie.ca/galleries/families.php
Thank you so much Tammy, for including me again this year, and for also inviting Ian to participate. We are truly honoured that you consider us your 'peeps'!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to echo Tammy's words about Claudine - 'warm and talented' are the best words I can think of to describe her!
Even though she'd known me only for the couple of hours from last year's shoot, she greeted me with the warmest hug and kindest words this year as she prepared to photograph me and my son.
I've never been one to have a very positive self-image, but the pictures Claudine took of me last year made me feel confident and beautiful.
With Claudine behind the lens, you just feel comfortable, knowing you are in such capable hands. And if she can make ME look good, she can do it for ANYONE!