Interview with Photographer April A. Taylor

April A. Taylor's Post-Apocalyptic Princess

April A. Taylor is an internationally published and exhibited dark art horror photographer from Detroit, Michigan whose work has been featured in over 50 galleries, books, magazines, DVDs, calendars, websites, conventions and events. Her recent publication credits include Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, Darkfaery Subculture Magazine and WU Magazine. Over the next year her work is slated to appear in several more books and magazines in two different countries, including the horror anthology What Fears Become (featuring authors such as Piers Anthony and Ramsey Campbell).

We had the absolute pleasure to interview April A. Taylor, which fortuitously landed during Women in Horror Month! She uses her long-term love affair with all things horror to create dark art, horror and fine art photography which is described as “unique, unusual and unconventional”. Below you can read about her cinematic photographs, how she feels about women breaking into (and taking over) the “boy’s club” of horror, her most prized possession, what kind of art she has hanging in her home and just how fortunate she feels to spend her days covered in fake blood and call it work.

Fatally Yours: Hi April and welcome! When did you become interested in the field of photography?

April A. Taylor: Hi Fatally Yours, it’s my pleasure to speak with you today! I’ve been interested in photography since I was very young, to the point where I usually joke about coming out of the womb with a camera in my hand. I didn’t become serious about it until 2007, though.

Fatally Yours: How would you describe your photographic style?

April A. Taylor: The grittiness of many of my photographs has often been referred to as looking like it’s from the ‘70s and although that wasn’t intentional, I definitely see a lot of the style of the ‘70s in my photographs. In addition to which, I’m not content to take photographs at the same angles that most photographers do; I’ve been known to lay in greasy railroad tracks and climb trees just to get a different perspective on something.  And those photographs are almost always the ones that become fan favorites so my willingness to get my clothes dirty and, at times, to take what some would call “a risk” has definitely been a good thing, and has defined a lot of my work and my style.

Fatally Yours: Horror obviously plays a large part in your art. What made you want to focus on dark art and why? 

April A. Taylor: I’ve been in love with horror movies and novels since way before it was probably age appropriate. When I started focusing more seriously on photography, I was instantly drawn to the dark side of humanity. It didn’t take long for me to connect that with my love of horror. Each of the photographs has a dual meaning; the meaning you see on the surface, which is the more basic horror story, and a back story that is usually rooted in social commentary. Horror/Dark Art just makes the most sense to me and speaks to me the most.

Fatally Yours: I’m really struck by the vividness of your photographs, which really helps them stand out from other horror art. What inspired you to use this mode of expression? 

April A. Taylor: Most horror/dark artists use starkness to express the horror in their images. I chose to go in the exact opposite direction with the majority of my work by infusing it with bright, vivid colors. The intention behind this was to make the photographs feel more real to the viewer, in order to allow them to feel as if they’re seeing the scenes happening right in front of them.

Fatally Yours: Can you tell us how you go about creating the back story and characters for your photographs? 

April A. Taylor: The basic storylines come from a number of different places; some are inspired by things I encounter in real life, some come while sitting still and rooting through my blood-soaked imagination and others come from the models (for example, She’s Dead is based on a poem written by model Shannon Waite). Once a basic storyline is selected, I create a back story for the character(s) that is fleshed out enough to allow me to inhabit their headspace during a shoot. I also make sure that the basic concept has a dual meaning (societal commentary) as I never shoot gore just for the sake of gore.

Fatally Yours: What is your creative process before, during and after a shoot? 

April A. Taylor: Once a storyline is selected, a model(s), costuming, props and a location are chosen. Based on those, other elements of the shoot fall into place organically. On the day of a shoot I listen to music that allows me to inhabit the headspace of the character(s). Once I’m on set, I walk the model(s) through the basics of the storyline and any specific poses/actions that I want to capture. My sets are typically run more like a movie set in that the model(s) actually acts out the scenes that are captured instead of just holding a pose. I experiment a lot on set, in that I don’t just capture what was already in my head, I also capture any new ideas that come to mind during the shoot and also anything that the model(s) wants to try out. Once the shoot is done, I use music to stay in the headspace of the character(s) during the editing process in order to best bring out what the character(s) was trying to say in the shoot.

Fatally Yours: Which one of your characters would make the most interesting dinner guest? 

April A. Taylor: That depends on what you’re serving, as they all have, shall we say, particular tastes in food. But in all seriousness, probably either the unnamed character from Loss of Innocence, as that character is the manifestation of the beaten down (but never broken) spirit of the city of Detroit or the Princess of Decay from A Twisted Fairytale, as she’s torn between two different personalities and that would definitely make for some interesting conversational twists.

Fatally Yours: What do you hope to accomplish/express through your art? 

April A. Taylor: I seek to shed light on the darkness within all of humanity. Most people try to hide their darkness; I think it’s better to bring it to the forefront in order to examine it.  I hope that my photographs will make people pause for a second and think. Sometimes people are visibly jarred by looking at my photographs and since the point of art is to evoke an emotion in someone, be that a good emotion or a bad emotion, I take it as a compliment whenever someone has a strong reaction of any kind.

Fatally Yours: What equipment do you work with?

April A. Taylor: I use Canon equipment and do the majority of my Dark Art shoots with a wide angle lens, as opposed to the more traditional usage of a portrait lens, which is part of why my photos have a different “feel” to them.

Fatally Yours: How does digital manipulation play a part in your art? 

April A. Taylor: Aside from enhancing colors and sometimes adding what I’ve dubbed “bleed frames” I don’t really use a lot of digital manipulation. All of the makeup that you see was really on the models and the props and background were all really there during the shoot, too. I prefer to capture things for real whenever possible as I believe that a viewer can tell when something has been altered, no matter how well done it is, and that keeps them from really believing in the photo.

Fatally Yours: What was the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?

April A. Taylor: Probably the photo from the Post-Apocalyptic Princess set that features the princess holding an oriental fan while standing in front of the Michigan Central Station (which is an abandoned train station in Detroit, MI).

Fatally Yours: If you could choose a horror icon as a subject for your photographs, who would it be and why? 

April A. Taylor: The child in me that grew up loving the original A Nightmare on Elm Street says Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson, but the one person working in horror that I’ve always looked up to is Clive Barker, so it would be very interesting to photograph him.  His work has always pushed boundaries and I admire his courage to be completely open about who he is with the entire world.

Fatally Yours: Music usually plays an important role in the creative process. What is your favorite kind of music to listen to? 

April A Taylor: When I’m not creating I tend to listen to Alternative and Indie music, with a lot of my time spent listening to the two latest albums by Green Day. But when I’m creating, I listen to music that helps me inhabit the headspace of the character(s). For example, the theme song for Mine is “Lights Out” by Breaking Benjamin. Sometimes my day to day music does inspire me (a Green Day song led to the creation of the Nuclear Series) but for the most part I tend to put on something with a heavier/darker feel to help me create a Dark Art piece. Fortunately I have a very diverse collection of music, so there’s something on my iPod for just about any scenario.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel women in your business get the proper recognition when compared to their male counterparts? How about women in the horror industry as a whole? 

April A. Taylor: There are not many women in my specific niche of the horror genre, but as with just about any industry, men do unfortunately seem to get more recognition. The horror industry has long been known to be basically a “boys club” and this can be seen through the disproportionate number of working male to female directors, writers, etc. Things like Women in Horror Recognition Month are shedding light on this issue, though, and independent film festivals such as BleedFest are making it easier for female filmmakers to get their work in front of the public eye.

Fatally Yours: What women do you admire?

April A. Taylor: I admire every woman who is working really hard to break into the long standing “boys club” that is the industry of horror and I give special props to Rachel Talalay for all of her work within the industry. I admire the women in history who have stood up for women’s rights and civil rights. And I admire the women in my personal life who do amazing things daily, such as my aunt who spends almost all of her spare time making hats and scarves to donate to the homeless.

Fatally Yours: Who are some of your favorite photographers?

April A. Taylor: I really love the non-landscape work that Ansel Adams did earlier in his career.  I find that a lot of the other work that I’m really drawn to is being produced by people who have no interest in actually having a career as a professional photographer. There are a lot of really talented people out there who have shared their stuff with me, some who have been kind enough to say that mine inspired theirs, and I love to look at photography of all kinds/from all fields.

Fatally Yours: Recently, have you come across any new artists whose work you’ve absolutely fallen in love with? This can include photographers, filmmakers, musicians, etc. 

April A. Taylor: Although I wouldn’t say I came across him recently, one of my absolute favorite artists is Chris Mars. His work inspires me greatly. As to musicians and other artists, I constantly seek out new work and seem to have a new favorite song and movie every other day, so any list of recent favorites would be extremely long. However, my current favorite song is “A Walk Through Hell” by Say Anything and the last movie I saw that I really loved was Buried.

Fatally Yours: What is your most prized possession? 

April A. Taylor: Aside from my camera I’d say my iPod. Music is one of the few things in life that I really don’t think I could live without.  The second runner up would be my passport because I want to see, and photograph, the entire world.

Fatally Yours: If you weren’t a photographer, what would you want to be and why?

April A. Taylor: A cinematographer, which is something that I may eventually branch into. I’m too strongly connected to telling a story through a visual format to not have some form of a camera in my hands.

Fatally Yours: What kind of art do you have hanging in your home? 

April A. Taylor: I have a lot of Halloween related art (most of it throwbacks to “classic Halloween” from the ‘30s – ‘50s).  I also have several pieces from artist Matt Busch.

Fatally Yours: You also shoot many haunted attractions. What is your favorite haunted attraction you’ve visited and/or shot and why? 

April A. Taylor: I have many favorite haunts around the country, but probably the best one I’ve ever been to is The 13^th Gate in Baton Rouge, LA. It is the most lovingly detailed haunt I’ve ever seen and, for obvious reasons, the visual presentation of a haunted attraction is very important to me. As far as just having a really fun and unusual experience, though, The House of Shock in New Orleans wins hands down for their full body contact style of haunting.

Fatally Yours: And lastly, one of my favorite questions to ask…What are some of your favorite horror movies? 

April A. Taylor: I have so many favorites!  Here are the ones that come to mind immediately:  A Nightmare on Elm Street (the original) parts 1 & 3, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Evil Dead, Fido, Shaun of the Dead, all of the Romero zombie movies, Hellraiser, [REC], Cube, Saw (parts 1 & 2), Halloween (the original), Trick R Treat, 1408 (the director’s cut), The Collector, Cabin Fever and The Human Centipede.

Fatally Yours: Let me sneak one more question in here…can you tell us about the next series you are going to shoot or any other projects you have lined up? 

April A. Taylor: Although I have several sets lined up, I typically don’t discuss them in advance. I will say, though, that a few popular sets are going to have continuations, one of which will probably really surprise the fans with the direction that it’s going to take.  As to publications, appearances, etc., some of my darker Fine Art pieces will be featured in an upcoming horror anthology entitled What Fears Become. Some of my work will also be seen in an upcoming short horror film entitled CathARTic, written and directed by Devanny Pinn.  I will also be making appearances this month at Con Nooga in Chattanooga, TN and MystiCon in Roanoke, VA and then in April at Motor City Nightmares in Novi, MI.

Fans can see more of my work at www.aprilataylor.com and can get sneak peaks of upcoming shoots, exclusive content & discounts, etc. by “liking” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aprilataylorphotography.  Thanks, Fatally Yours!

Interview with Photographer Paula Burr

A lifelong fascination with stopping time and telling a story in just one image has begun to pay off for photographer Paula Burr, who founded Killer Eye Photography. A 2007 graduate of the prestigious Brooks Institute, Paula interned in Manhattan with renowned image-maker Mark Seliger.

In the two and a half years since, she has contributed her style and focus to numerous print and online work. She has recreated the infamous shower scene of Psycho for Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Driftwood) and been head still photographer for Anthony DiBlasi’s cinematic adaptation of Clive Barker’s Dread.

Paula’s work was most recently published in new issues of The Burlesque Times, the UK fashion magazine Milk Cow, and in all the advertising for The International Horror and Sci Fi Film Fest 2009. Recent websites featuring her work include Shocktillyoudrop.com, Bloody-Disgusting, and Dread Central, Fatally-Yours. Other endeavors include artistic and abstract stills for Adam Barnick’s upcoming documentary What is Scary? (2011) as well as lighting and videographer work for the upcoming DVD extras for Adam Green’s thriller Frozen.

While favoring the macabre and culture underground, Killer Eye Photography has expanded its passions to everything from weddings to headshots to travel photography, Paula remains committed to finding those images that will stick with you for a lifetime.

Fatally Yours: How did you fall in love with the horror genre? 

Paula Burr: I think I fell in love with the idea of horror before I realized that it was a genre. The feeling as a kid while watching scary movies: A monster lurking outside your window, someone watching you, zombies walking the streets, the unknown. I love all the elements that “horror” brings. I also love the idea that a scary movie can be funny.

Fatally Yours: What does horror mean to you? 

Paula Burr: There are so many ways horror has crept into my own life. For me horror means creating an image that makes people think what the hell is she doing, Or pushing an idea to the edge. I have a deep love for horror because I feel that horror reaches people on a personal level. If I am able to leave an imprint on someone from my imagery, good or bad, if I am able to provoke a feeling I have done my job.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you get involved in the horror genre?

Paula Burr: Being a photographer, I have met many creative, wonderful people. I guess about 2005 is when I really tried to sink my teeth into the genre. I started doing interviews for a horror website and eventually just started talking with people. That led me to conventions and photographing people in the horror world. I eventually met a man by the name of Spooky Dan. We ended up hanging out at Comic Con one year and its all history after that. I owe Dan so much respect, credit and thanks for helping me out and making me put myself out there in the world. He would always tell me “I can introduce you but it’s up to you to do the rest.”

Fatally Yours: What is one thing you’ve done within the horror genre that you are most proud of?

Paula Burr: Working on Dread was an amazing time in my life. The first time I met Clive Barker, I handed him a business card and told him that one-day I hoped to work together. Working with Anthony DiBlasi on Dread was pretty close. Being able to go to eat, sleep, and breathe horror was just life changing. Shooting stills on a film is what I love to do, and then to be able to work with such an amazing crew on Dread was just a dream come true. Not to mention the crew was a giant family so it made it that much more enchanting.

Fatally Yours: How would you convince people who aren’t horror fans to give the genre a try?

Paula Burr: I really believe that there is something for everyone out there in the genre. You can nail down a list to a specific “taste of horror” per individual. You don’t have to watch something that is all blood and guts if you’re not into it. I think that horror films give the audience something to chew on, whether it be a Romero film that is talking about current social trends to a psychological thriller, I’m a believer that you are missing out on a good time if you don’t go see a scary movie in the theater.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel women in horror get the proper recognition when compared to their male counterparts?

Paula Burr: Yes, I do. When I think of the final battle in movies, I mean its great to see men just smearing each other over the pavement, but when a woman is kicking ass there is just that added sassy finesse. I think there is always room for women to show the ability that they are just as good as the male counterpart and sometimes look better doing it.

Fatally Yours: As a woman in horror, have you found it harder to be taken seriously in a genre that seems to be dominated by males? 

Paula Burr: Mostly I think I am taken pretty seriously. My tattoos probably help that a little bit. When someone looks at me and asks me about horror and sees my Frankenstein or Bates Motel sign, they seem to automatically think I’m into it.  Even though the genre seems dominated by males, I don’t use that as a reason to deter me from getting what I came for. I’m a very determined individual and if being a woman puts me into a situation for being the underdog, I try that much harder. I think any woman who has a strong enough character and the ability to adjust to get the job done can make it and be taken seriously. I really am a firm believer in standing on your own; maybe I don’t have balls, but I do have backbone.

Fatally Yours: Since you’ve been involved with the horror genre, have you noticed a change in women’s roles within horror whether it be roles in horror films, women behind the camera, women writers, etc.?

Paula Burr: I think there have been more women getting involved with the genre. Scream queens, actresses and women ready to get down and dirty for the part. Whether it be in front or behind the lens I know that I have been introduced to a lot more ladies wanting to “play dead” since I started shooting. Also I have been searching for it longer. The more I dig for models and such, the more I find a larger variety of women who are into the genre.

Fatally Yours: What women in horror do you admire? 

Paula Burr: I had to think on this one. First there are so many woman that I am probably forgetting at the moment, and most that come to mind straight away are in front of the lens. I think Kathryn Bigelow is amazing. I loved Near Dark and, even though her new film The Hurt Locker is not horror, it’s a great film. Women actresses who have memorable roles for me are: Sigourney Weaver in Alien, Heather Langenkamp in Nightmare On Elm Street, Sissy Spacek in Carrie, Angela Bettis in May. There really are so many that I could name.

Fatally Yours: If you could photograph one woman from the horror genre, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Paula Burr: Barbara Steele, Cassandra Peterson. I would love to have Elvira in my portfolio. She’s just amazing. Barbara I would want to photograph coming out of a coffin just because she has been quoted as saying she never wants to climb out of a coffin again.

Fatally Yours: What inspires, influences and motivates you?

Paula Burr: My friends, people and the process of creating something new inspire me. I’m always talking to others about similar ideas and endeavors, witnessing them go out there and giving it everything they got inspires me to keep pushing. I have a Grace poster hanging up in my room that was signed: “Don’t fucking give up.” I look at that everyday. That’s great motivation. You have to fight for the things you love. Watching my friends work their asses off and get it done is amazing.

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite horror films and books?

Paula Burr: Oh man, so many. I read some King, Clive, William Gibson. But I find myself reading vampire books and yes I read and liked the Twilight series. As for Horror films: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Videodrome, and Repulsion come first to mind.

Fatally Yours: Outside of horror what do you enjoy doing?

Paula Burr: I photograph pin-up, macabre ideas for fun, so when I’m not swimming in horror I am probably working on a creative project. There are so many things really. I love to snowboard and take my dog hiking. Watching movies, watching bad movies with great people.

Fatally Yours: What are your goals for yourself within the horror genre?

Paula Burr: I would love to be the go to photography gal. The horror genre is so much fun, I would like to be able to photograph all that I can. From film stills to portraits, promo pieces for film, movie poster creation. Shooting the characters of movies is kind of like directing my own mini-film, one frame at a time.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Paula Burr: You can reach me at www.killereye.com. New website is launching soon so stay tuned!

Book Review: Hammer Glamour by Marcus Hearn

Titan Books is releasing the gorgeous hardbound coffee table book Hammer Glamour on September 29^th, 2009 and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the lasciviously luscious book! Here is the description from the book’s dust jacket:

Over 50 years ago, with the release of The Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula, Hammer Film Productions ushered in a whole new era of blood and barely retrained cleavage in glorious colour, mixing sex and horror with a style and panache that made the small British company world famous.

As well as making international stars of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, Hammer quickly became renowned for the stunning actresses who graced its films. Whether it was an exciting new discovery making her screen debut, an exotic foreign beauty, or a Hollywood star, glamour was an essential part of the Hammer formula. From Barbara Shelley baring her fangs, to Ingrid Pitt baring all – not forgetting Raquel Welch in a fur bikini – Hammer knew that “sex sells”.

Bursting at the seams with an astounding collection of rare and previously unpublished photographs from Hammer’s archive and private collections worldwide, and featuring many exclusive new interviews, Hammer Glamour is both a lavish celebration of Hammer’s female stars and a fascinating insight into a bygone era of movie publicity.

Filled with sensual, full-color photographs, Hammer Glamour is like stepping back into Hammer’s heydays of the 1950s,  ‘60s and ‘70’s where horror was filled with voluptuous sex kittens and cheesecake pinups. These sirens of sinema oozed sexuality yet also a certain innocence and playfulness. Hammer certainly didn’t show much restraint when it came to nudity, especially when censorship was relaxed in the 60’s and 70’s, but despite this their leading ladies all exude a sense of style, classiness and timeless beauty.

Where most Hammer books usually just focus on famous leading men like Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing, it’s refreshing to see the ladies of Hammer horror get their recognition in Hammer Glamour. The book evokes a bygone era of glamour and sensuality. I also appreciated the many different looks of the actresses featured within the pages; whether girl-next-door or exotic, blonde or brunette, short or long locks, every actress featured within the pages of Hammer Glamour celebrates the diversity of glamour!

Hammer favorites featured in the book include “glamourpuss” Stephanie Beacham (Dracula A.D. 1972), exotic Martine Beswicke (One Million Years B.C., Slave Girls, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde), classical blonde beauty Veronica Carlson (Dracula Has Risen From the Grave, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, The Horror of Frankenstein), vampy twins Mary and Madeleine Collins (Twins of Evil), “buxom redhead” Hazel Court (The Curse of Frankenstein, The Man Who Could Cheat Death), “smoldering sexpot” Vera Day (Quatermass 2), beautiful brunette Caroline Munro (Dracula A.D. 1972, Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter), coquettish Kate O’Mara (The Vampire Lovers, The Horror of Frankenstein), iconic Ingrid Pitt (The Vampire Lovers, Countess Dracula), bombshell Barbara Shelley (The Camp on Blood Island, The Secret of Blood Island, Dracula Prince of Darkness, Rasputin the Mad Monk, Quatermass and the Pit), nymph Madeline Smith (Taste the Blood of Dracula, The Vampire Lovers, Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell) and, perhaps the most well-known of them all, the stunning Raquel Welch (One Million Years B.C.).

I especially liked reading about these ladies’ early films, careers and later lives in the informative biographies that author Marcus Hearn has masterfully written. Reading through the actresses’ biographies you also get a sense of the Hammer studios’ timeline and rise to success as well as its eventual decline. I really love how Hearn gave the reader both an idea of the actresses’ lives while also giving the reader a history of Hammer and how the filmmaking business was run back then.

Besides the insightful antidotes, the real stars of the book are the stunning photographs. Voluptuous vamps, sexy starlets, pouty pinups…the glamorous photographs have it all! Whether promotional pictures for films where the actresses are decked out in corsets and flowing dresses or glamour shots where they are modeling bikinis, all of the photographs are richly decadent!

Overall, Hammer Glamour is a rich book overflowing with the phenomenal female stars of Hammer horror films. It’s full-color pages filled with photos are stunningly gorgeous and its biographies on the stars, with exclusive interviews, give the perfect overview on their lives and careers as well as giving us a peek into the bygone golden era of Hammer films.

Hammer Glamour is a must-buy book for all fans of Hammer cinema, the history of horror and horror’s infamous leading ladies of years past.

Order it on Amazon!

Interview with Ghoul Girls Founder and Model

We recently got to chit-chat with the brains and beauties of the horror pin-up site, Ghoul Girls. There are a lot of horror-themed pin-up sites out there, but Ghoul Girls is really different. Not satisfied with just showing pretty faces bathed in blood, they feature ghoulish pin-ups who passionately care about horror! Their close-knit family is dead-icated to horror and it shows in their photo spreads and in the following interview with site model Macabri and owner/photographer VampireKitten.

Ladies and gents, meet the fabulous Ghoul Girls!

Fatally Yours: How and when did you fall in love with the horror genre?

Macabri: I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t into horror. Even in elementary school I remember reading all the scary books I could find and watching monster movies.

Fatally Yours: Can you tell our readers what Ghoul Girls is all about?

Macabri: Ghoul Girls is all about B-grade horror, sexy girls and pin-up. Who wouldn’t love that?

Fatally Yours: What inspired you to start Ghoul-Girls.com?

VampireKitten: We started it originally as a one woman coffee table book that branched out into something extremely unique that was nestled in the horror genre. Some of us love pin-up, all of us love horror, so we just thought to put the two together. People started seeing what we were doing and got excited about it. It kind of inspired us to keep going.

Fatally Yours: Had you any experience with running a website before?

VampireKitten: Ya for a long time I had been running an Internet radio station for the paranormal. As well as a few other websites I had been running on my own. It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s well worth it and has paid off. I started doing websites when I was 16, I’m self taught.

Fatally Yours: How do you think Ghoul Girls stands apart from other horror pin-up sites?

Macabri: I’ve seen other photographers that have done horror-themed photo shoots, but nothing with the scope or dedication that Ghoul Girls presents. You can tell that all of the models are very into what they’re doing and having some fun with the genre.

Fatally Yours: How can people enjoy the Ghoul Girls site in its full glory? Are there member fees, etc.?

Macabri: To fully enjoy the site all you have to do is sign up your FREE account. That’s it. For the price of free you get to access all of the photo sets, behind the scenes images, the forum, etc.

Fatally Yours: You’ve recently released a Ghoul Girls calendar. How can people get their paws on one and what can they expect to find lurking inside?

Macabri: The calendar is easily purchased through our web store located at: http://www.cafepress.com/ghoulgirlsmerch . Inside you’ll find 12 months worth of sexy monsters waiting to decorate your room, crypt, padded room, etc.

On another note, we’re going to be releasing a DVD soon with all of the video taken during the shoots, including video from upcoming, never before seen sets.

Fatally Yours: How are the models/photographers chosen?

Macabri: Right now there are a couple of photographers that do all of the shooting for the site. Models can apply through the site and are reviewed for consideration. If chosen, they work with the photographers/site owners to find the perfect creepy-crawly for them to portray.

Fatally Yours: How can interested parties apply to become models and/or photographers for the site? 

Macabri: It’s extremely easy to apply to model. All you have to do is go to the main site and click on the link that says Model for Us. From there you fill out a short questionnaire and e-mail it to GhoulGirls(at)gmail.com. We’re looking for all sorts, so don’t be afraid to apply.

Fatally Yours: Is there a specific horror film or horror era that influences the look and feel of Ghoul Girls? 

Macabri: The site is about a lot more than just one film or era. We want to encompass everything that people love about horror, whether it’s shooting images based off of something classic like Frankenstein or newer like Friday the 13^th. We’re even exploring beyond movies to include things such as the upcoming Death photo set.

Fatally Yours: Do you ever plan on using male models for the site?

Macabri: Right now it’s just female models, but who knows what the future might hold?

Fatally Yours: What are your hopes and goals for the site as it grows?

Macabri: It would be great to have the site get all the attention it deserves for all of the hard work that’s been put into it. We’re also looking to expand the content on the site. Already we a new section with video rants that I’ve been doing and we’re working on some fun content for download. We hope to keep spreading the word as we continue to carve out our own niche in the horror universe.

Fatally Yours: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about?

Macabri: I just want to say a thank you to the rest of the amazing team we have at Ghoul Girls. Candace, Joshua, Chrissy, and Kurt have been so fantastic. I’m honored to be a part of the site and to be able to talk to you about it now.

Visit the Ghoul Girls’ Official Site!

Interview with Photographer Paula Burr

Paula Burr is the owner and sole photographer of Killer Eye Photography, a company that combines her love of horror with her eye for dark visuals! Paula is well-known in horror circles as not only a killer photographer, but also as a dear friend.

We recently caught up with Paula upon her return from London after she finished up a stint shooting stills for on the film Dread, adapted from a Clive Barker story.

Fatally Yours: Paula, tell us about growing up and how you fell in love with the horror genre!

Paula Burr: I grew up in AZ and moved around a lot with my mom. My parents divorced so I spent most of my time with her. I won’t bore you with those details but she’s the one who introduced me to the lovely world of horror. My early memories are of Bride of Frankenstein, Creature From the Black Lagoon and The Exorcist. After my mom realized that these didn’t bother me, the films just poured in. John Carpenter’s Halloween holds a very special place in my heart. I LOVE that film. I love Freddy and Jason too; slasher films are great fun especially because I live in a forest area. But I have to say the boogyman just gets me, EVERYTIME!

Fatally Yours: You’ve got quite an impressive array of horror-inspired tattoos. Which one was your first? What others do you plan to get?

Paula Burr: The first horror tattoo I got was the Bride of Frankenstein. Really didn’t have any intention to turn it into a sleeve but it crept down my arm and is getting closer to being completed. I’m planning on finishing that this year. The next is yet to be determined. I have a few things I am working on. Skin is seeming kind of minimal so I am choosing wisely. But I definitely see more work in my future.

Fatally Yours: How did you get into photography? 

Paula Burr: Photography sort or found me in 2002. I was up on a mountain snowboarding at night in Alaska. A person raced by me and jumped. The snow left this illuminated trail of snow in the light and as I sat there and watched it fall, it just memorized me. I could think about was how could I capture that image.

Fatally Yours: Where did you attend school to study your craft? 

Paula Burr: I took a few classes at a junior college in AZ. then decided that I just loved it and I thought hey why not try and take this further. So I moved to Southern CA and went school for photography and film, now graduated, I’m working and living life.

Fatally Yours: What equipment do you use? 

Paula Burr: That’s a tricky question; I love film and still use my Hassleblad. But lately with the digital push, I find myself more and more using my Canon 5D.

Fatally Yours: How did you combine your love of the macabre with your love of photography? 

Paula Burr: In the beginning, I started in Fine Art Photography. When I started out, my images all had a spooky quality that seemed to be something that would come out of a music video, something that had been manifested dream. I would see things in film and TV that I would try and recreate and put a little twist on to make it original. I dream very vividly so I try and write down what I dream so I can recreate that as well.

Fatally Yours: How do you prepare and get inspired for a shoot?

Paula Burr: Preparation comes from listening to lots of music, watching lots of movies (of all kinds) and searching for concepts. When doing horror inspired shoots, I tend to watch films that put me in a certain mind set. Sometimes I pick a character from a film and try to portray an emotion that is brought on by the film. More times out of any though, I would have to say my dreams drive my final imagery. I love to grab my Ipod and just go. I really enjoy wandering around, exploring and watching the world all while listening to music. There is something very inspirational about listening to acoustic guitar or piano even the violin that just tunes me in. Somehow, I seem to match up my emotions with my surroundings and then something will just pop and there will be my idea for the next shoot.

Fatally Yours: What has been the most memorable shoot you’ve had so far? 

Paula Burr: I would have to say the most memorable is the most recent. I just wrapped the film Dread (Clive Barker adaptation) on location in London. I was over there shooting stills, it was my first time to the UK and I absolutely adored it! I also plan on going back.

Fatally Yours: What do you think sets you apart from other photographers? 

Paula Burr: Well, I would like to think it’s because I play well with others? Really though, I do have a genuine love for things that are a bit out of the ordinary and the macabre inspired. Surrounding myself with places/people of like minds has given me the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals. I believe working with those people who are involved in the horror community bring me to a whole new level. It’s a blessing to have such a support group. Not only are they my friends, but also they inspire me to be better and push my creativity.

Fatally Yours: If you could photograph a current horror celebrity, who would it be and why? 

Paula Burr: Well as far as celeb goes I would love to photograph Rob Zombie. I love his work on so many levels.

Fatally Yours: If you had the option to photograph anyone, past or present/dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Paula Burr: That is one of the hardest questions for me. Can I give you a top 3! It’s a toss up between George Romero and Vincent Price and Tim Burton. As for why? They are all just awesome!

Fatally Yours: What do you like to do in your spare time besides watch horror flicks and photography? 

Paula Burr: Snowboard when I can get away, and I love to travel. I also enjoy sleeping in and watching other non horror movies.

Fatally Yours: In your line of work, what (or who) is your #1 inspiration? 

Paula Burr: At the moment, my head is completely wrapped around motion picture. Since I have been working on set my mind is a bit distorted. My stills will be pushing the levels of “set pieces” in the future. I also have been watching music videos and films to look at lighting and watching for the little things that directors of photography throw into the mix. Watching cinematography pushes the boundaries for me shooting stills. I’m such a visual person that truly my inspiration comes from learning what I can by watching, looking around and just staying tuned in to my surroundings.

Fatally Yours: What are your hopes, dreams and goals for the future with Killer Eye Photography?

Paula Burr: Well at the moment Killer Eye is doing well! While working in London my site is currently a blog site, rather than an image gallery, but I am building a new web site as we speak! New look coming soon! As far as my goals, I just really want to give the world something different.

Working in the commercial world of fashion and portraiture, I am just bored to death with the same images over and over. As far as the commercial industry goes, I would love to be a photographer who can grab celebrities and twist them into something surreal. I had a friend once say to me, “You could be the next Annie Leibovitz of horror!” I have to admit I loved the sound of that!  Creating a fantasy world, dark dreamlike sets that take you away to a place you could never imagine, that is where my head is and where I would love to have people sit for me. Tim Burton for example, when I look at his body of work, I am reminded of how much I want to be a child again. Dreams of falling down a rabbit hole to a world of magic and mystery…I mean, trying to read the Manual for the Recently Deceased, I’d give that a shot. His mind completely blows me away. I would like to keep pushing forward in my imagery to give the world my ideas of bizarre, mysterious and creepy. In the same time hoping that there is some dark soul out there that finds my art beautiful.

Gory Gear: Bodybag Trading Cards

“…the badly decomposed bodies of 12 women were found in the crawlspace…”

“Scattered throughout…were the dismembered bodies of 7 local children…”

“The headless body of an unidentified female was found on a set of railroad tracks…”

“Her left arm was completely severed from her body.”

“The unknown assailant used a chainsaw to dismember both of the girls.”

“She had been bludgeoned to death with a lead pipe…”

“A large, gaping slash ran across her mouth, believed to have been inflicted with a straight razor.”

“…suffocated with a shower curtain and stabbed 27 times in the face with an icepick…”

“She had been beaten so severely that the back of her skull cracked open like a melon.”

These graphic quotes are taken directly from mock crime stories featured in Troy Holbrook’s Bodybag Trading Cards. Despite how shocking the stories on the cards are, the photographs are even more disturbing. They feature the grisly remains of the victims in stark black and white. The black and white photographs, just like the story, aren’t real…but they definitely look very realistic!

Creator Troy Holbrook not only came up with the overall concept for the cards, but he also did the special FX, the photography and the actual writing of the fictional crime stories featured on the back of the trading cards. The results clearly demonstrate his skill and passion in all three areas.

First of all, the special makeup effects are the most striking aspects of the cards. Everything from the blood running down the models’ faces to the cuts, disfigurements, bruises, etc. looks extremely realistic! The gore is so incredibly life-like that it only adds to the illusion that the photographs are real. One headless corpse in particular will make you do a double take!

Secondly, the stark black and white photography significantly heightens the realism of the trading cards. It’s easy to imagine the photographs as crime scene photos from police archives. Holbrook has captured truly horrified emotions on his models’ faces. He also sets up his photographs in a way that ensures the models are never exploited. Though nudity is shown, it’s never in a titillating way, but rather in a cold, clinical way much like crime photography the cards emulate.

Thirdly, the stories on the back of the cards pull everything together and tell us a story about the visceral photographs on the front. The stories themselves are realistically written, including names and ages of the deceased along with locations of the crimes. The small details and the matter-of-fact way the stories are written lend credence to the realistic tone the trading cards have. In fact, I had to actually contact Troy and ask him if the stories were actually pulled from headlines or if they were all made-up. He assured me that they were fictional accounts that he himself had come up with for the trading cards.

This is the first edition of the Bodybag Trading Cards, and they include 15 high-quality trading cards. The cards themselves are very thick and are UV coated on the back and front. They are an amazing set of trading cards that vividly depict the murder victims of mock serial killers.

If you’re a serial killer buff like me, there is no doubt you will enjoy these startling trading cards. Fellow fiends of the macabre will be tickled blood red by these grisly depictions of mock murders and horrific crimes!

Get yours today at www.bodybagtradingcards.com!

Interview with Artist Bryan Barnes

Bryan Barnes is an up and coming artist from San Diego, California who specializes in photography and illustration. His morbid, gritty and gruesome works of eye-catching art are interesting and stimulating, especially for people of the more macabre persuasion. His works depict stapled throats, bloodshot eyes, skin crisscrossed with dark veins and stitches and lots of blood splatter. Barnes photographs are eerily reminiscent of crime scene or autopsy photos in their starkness.

His artwork has been shown at galleries across the nation, including Drk Room Gallery, Hive Gallery, Artist Bound Gallery, Our Lady of the Angeles Cathedral, IVAR and the Monte Christo in Los Angeles, ICANDY in West Hollywood, the Night Gallery in Santa Ana, Planet Rooth, Front Porch Gallery, Gallery 680, Art of Framing and the Plastic Museum in San Diego and the Dirty Detroit in Michigan.

Fatally Yours recently got to chat with Bryan about horror movies, how dead girls can be sexy, his grandma and his artwork.

Fatally Yours: Bryan, how long have you been working in art?

Bryan Barnes: For as long as I can remember. I started drawing around age 4. It seems I’ve always been surrounded and attracted to the art realm.

FY: How did you first get started making art?

BB: When I was kid, I would stay at my grandmother’s house in Pasadena, California. She is a painter. When I would stay at her house I would see all of her paintings on the wall and want to emulate her and what I saw. I remember she would be cooking and I would be in the kitchen with her drawing. Although, my style is vastly different from hers, she was a huge influence on me in my early development. So, I guess art is in my blood. Also growing up skateboarding, I loved all the skull graphics I saw. Not only would I try to practice to be like the pros with tricks and launching off ramps, I would draw in the style of the skateboard decks and stickers I had.

FY: What is your favorite medium to use?

BB: My favorite mediums are graphite and photography. Both are challenging and rewarding in their own unique ways. I was originally brought up in illustration and painting, but over time I developed an appreciation for work behind the lens. My head is always spinning with one thousand ideas and concepts. Hopefully I’m able to capture as many of them as I can through one medium or another.

FY: Is there any specific message you wish to convey with your artwork?

BB: My artwork is a dark sexy traumatic rollercoaster ride through visions of vanity, insecurity, obsession, eternity and lust. Constant themes held within the artworks are symbolisms of hope, spirituality, optimism, power of self and the beauty of the divine. It’s my goal to make the viewer of the artwork take a step back and sincerely think what is presented in from of them.

FY: Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?

BB: Inspiration is drawn together by what I’ve witnessed, experienced and felt through my years. It’s almost like real life thrown up on a canvas, so to speak.

FY: Who are some of your favorite artists and influences?

BB: I tend to only surround myself in a dark shotgun shell of my own work. I feel by viewing other artists and their work; it could taint my own work. I rather not be influenced by outside influences. There are probably only a handful of artists that I truly have an admiration for. I really dig the vibes of both Paul Booth and Michael Hussar though. They have some macabre visions that I dig.

FY: What is a memorable experience that has shaped your work?

BB: Probably one of the most memorable experiences came in college. As my style developed and began to take form, I realized that following what is safe and mainstream will never be for me. I create imagery for me. Hopefully people can pick up on the vibe I’m going for and appreciate it. Hopefully become a fan of it.

FY: Where did you receive formal training?

BB: Originally, I received a basketball scholarship to the University of Cal State San Bernardino. Only after a year or so I focused solely on art and studies and left sports for good. While in college I took up a greater appreciation for photography. This was also the time when I began to develop my style of artwork. I was attracted to a more realistic approach with darker and deeper concepts. I absolutely loved studying about Goya and Hieronymus Bosch. I finished and received my BA in Art (Graphic Design).

FY: What made you want to pursue a career in art?

BB: Artwork has always highly interested me. It is a true gift to have the beauty of creation. I would not change what I do for anything.

FY: So far, what is your favorite piece of artwork that you’ve created?

BB: One of my favorite pieces recently is the photography piece “The Devil of Ed Gein Wears Prada.” It deals with how the fashion industry, and media in general, creates pieces of meat that kill you with their outward faux appearance of beauty while consisting of rather no depth at all. It is one of the more graphic and gruesome pieces.

FY: Do any horror films/literature/comics influence your work?

BB: Yes, of course! When I watch films, especially horror, I study the cinematography, make-up and things that stick out in my mind that are new and innovative. The only problem is, it can be very difficult for me to just “watch” a film without constantly art directed it to how I believe the film could work better. That goes back to my design background where my eye is watching every inch of detail on the screen. Some of my most recent work can be seen to have influences from Dawn of the Dead and even 30 Days of Night. I loved the characters in 13 Ghosts, especially the Suicide Girl character. Sexy and dead, love it! Of course how can I not love The Shining, The Grudge, the remakes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Amityville Horror? Gritty, dark, ominous films always keep my full attention.

FY: If you could design the artwork for any horror film what would it be and why?

BB: I’m a huge fan of Rob Zombie, especially for this work on Devil’s Rejects. I thought the film worked so well on so many levels. It had a cool retro vibe while mixing violence, sarcastic humor, an interesting story and the oh so lovely Sherri Moon Zombie. What was not to love! But yes, I would love to have the opportunity to work with Zombie on his some of his future projects. He is truly a legend. I also dig Eli Roth’s work from Hostel as well; he seems like a pretty cool cat.

Visit Bryan Barnes