The Proposal:
Photoshoot is underway. We did a test shot with Mandy to make sure the chemistry worked. Micheal said “literally I don’t know if this will work until the first one develops” which made me sweat. The exposure time is roughly 3 seconds which means you must stand VERY still. Mandy moved her head, I just swayed a little. So a little blurry but exposure was dead on.
Second photo: (THE PHOTO) Michael brings joyce into the trailer to watch him prep the glass. She claimed she remembered it from the Tin Types but he insisted…. so I could get the ring. I’m nervous, sweating, heart beating and he lines us up for the next photo. Joyce is giggling, moving, etc asking “are you gonna smile?” me nervous as hell quickly and sternly say “nope…. not smiling.” Another 3 second exposure,” Michael says. I tell Joyce, “No matter what happens trust me and do what I say.” I turn to her, take a knee, tell her, “I love you and DO NOT MOVE!” I can hear Michael in the background counting out loud and finally gives us the go ahead to move once the exposure is over.
The Cover Ups:
Micheal really did need to test his chemicals. But he didn’t just “happen to be in town.” We had discussed actually weeks in advance just testing some things out and playing with the camera so the planets kinda aligned there.
I actually took my camera (obviously) saying I wanted to blog about Michael and his process because he was being so cool to do a test with us.
I had quite a few “photoshoots” and “meetings” in Columbus during the early stages. It’s tough to get an hour away from home without any questions or suspicions arising.
