Fun with Banjo at Mary's Club

Last month on my birthday weekend, I had the pleasure of going back to Mary's Club, Portland's oldest and most beloved strip club, to make some new photos with Banjo.

I had photographed Banjo at Mary's months before using my thermal imaging camera, but this time I brought my Canon DLSR. We were both so happy to be making pictures together, and she's such a natural, plus she's fun, amazing on the pole and incredibly beautiful. I adore her and love our collaborations.

This photo of Banjo in the dressing room was totally her idea. She slid upside down on the back of the high-heeled chair spontaneously and easily as if she did it all the time.

The other photos were also a revelation because I've only ever used my thermal camera at Mary's, which doesn't pick up environmental details like murals, mirrors, tattoos or the myriad beauties of a dancer's clutter and other precious details.

The shoot was during an event I was taking part in called PDX Squared, which brings together 100 photographers who descend upon Portland to shoot for 24 hours. Then there's a gathering where everyone edits and meets with mentors, industry folk and each other. I did it to challenge myself, meet other photographers and make my birthday more memorable.

After the editing phase there's live judging and winners of prizes in different categories like Portrait, Documentary, Urban Landscape, Natural World and Portlandia.I found the live judging to be excruciating, but the rest of it was fun and really energizing.

I also had the huge honor of meeting Katrin Eismann, an educator and developer for Adobe Lightroom. She taught me some great editing tricks and then sat down with me to look at my new body of work. Her suggestions were beyond helpful, possibly even life-changing.

Later I was thinking that this is exactly why it's good to get out and try new things, walk through new doors - even if they are only slightly ajar - talk to strangers and take a chance on showing people my work. You never know when you'll meet an angel like Katrin, or find new, surprising inspirations.

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