Model Interview: Ruby Reckage

Stephanie Quates Photography

TAMD: What's the story behind your alias?

Ruby Reckage: I named myself Ruby Reckage because the obviousness that my life has been one wreckage after another. As most humans go through. My name is Ruby, which is jewel, which sometimes symbolizes beauty. I find even in the most horrific tragedies there's a glimmer of beauty, or a glimmer of hope. Like a wreck on the highway, you can't seem to look away. So I took that "w" off and made the reckage my own.

TAMD: You're new to modeling, how has your experience been so far?

RR: I have to constantly remind myself why I started doing it and that I cannot, and WILL NOT, look like all other models. That I need to stick to being me, because that's how I love myself, and why others love me. So, it's been a bittersweet experience. I'm still learning.

TAMD: What, in your opinion, sets you apart from the other models out there today?

RR: I guess its the concepts I choose to work on. I've been blessed enough that I've had photographers that let me explore my ideas and translate them to a photo. It seems what sets me apart is not necessarily my physical looks, but my creativity. I even had a photographer say he didn't know how you would label the type of photography we were attempting. That's exactly what I want; I don't want to be defined or categorized.

TAMD: Are there any styles or genres you're are looking to shoot in?

RR: I just like the "out there" shit. I like photos that make a statement, send some sort of message, and don't feature me in what feels like a beauty pageant.

TAMD: Would you agree that modeling is becoming more and more about looks and "assets" than actual talent?

RR: To an extent, yes, very much so. But, I can also see things taking a turn and making a change. I think people are honestly getting sick of the same type of female or male being featured in the buff. Average is making its' come back. 

TAMD: What are somethings people would never guess about you?

RR: That I don't like people who guess things about me. Haha! Seriously, if people are guessing then they aren't living to their full potential. We were taught to ask when we didn't understand something, not judge, or even make an educated guess. Just ask, and get your answer. I'm a very open person about my pleasures and pains. I'm an open book. If someones guessing, then they either don't pay attention, or they simply don't know. In that case, just ask.

TAMD: What are some of your pleasures, and some of your pains? 

RR: Well if we're getting dirty here, my pleasures are anything sexual all the time. I have a dirty mind and I very much so use it. I wouldn't consider myself ruled by pleasure. I definitely have learned to control my very eager urges, however I'm not burying them for dead either. I especially enjoy objectifying men. It gives me pleasure to watch them feel like a piece of meat the same way they do many of us ladies, and it, in fact, makes them feel insecure. I know that I for sure have the gift of sexual stare and I use it to my benefit. My pains however aren't really dirty. To be honest I don't have any direct pain. My life is very good now, because I decided to rid myself of people and things that created a negative and painful atmosphere. The only pain I have now is worldly. War, poverty, hunger, sickness, and especially overall hatred, somethings that can never really be changed.

Stephanie Quates Photography

TAMD: Does being a mother affect the types of shoots you do, or are going to do? 

RR: Yes being a mother DOES effect the shoots I've done and will do. Obviously it effects a lot of things. I have to be careful what I am suggesting in each photo, not just what body parts I am showing. I break my own rules sometimes though, because I am an adult, and I make my own choices. I just make sure, if I break my own rules, that it's a choice that won't be completely hypocritical later in their lives.

TAMD: Tell us about the photos featured here. 

RR: In these photos we were going for 'Bride of Frankenstein' meets 'Gentle Monster' meets 'Escape'. We weren't necessarily telling a story. Just trying to convey a different approach to a female monster.

TAMD: Is there anything you would like to add or promote?

RR: Promote or add??? You don't have to be a perfect skinny girl, or a perfect "fat" girl to be a model. You could be like me, medium sized, 5 ft tall, with a big nose; what matters is that your enthusiastic, come up with good ideas and concepts, and work as hard as the photographers do. Put everything into the things you do.

Halloween *mini* Interview Part 3: Melle Noire

TAMD: What is the story behind your modeling alias?

Melle Noire:  Melle is the short form of Melanie, my real forename. Melanie means: The black, the dark, the black dressed (Greek: Mela = dark). My mother gave this name to me because I had black hair when I was born (now it's dark brown). She couldn't know how good the name would fit to me when I was adult.  Since I was 18 I've been in the German gothic scene, so at most times I wear black, I love black and dark things (for example my furniture is black, decorated with skulls and roses).

At the beginning of my modelling career my pseudonym was just Melle.

It's my sobriquet in daily life too. When I lived near Kassel in a small rural town, there all Melanies were called Melle. That was a normal thing. Oneday I thought it would be fine to have a surname for my modelling too, so I was searching for a good name. "Noire" was the idea of my boyfriend, he is a half French and Noire means black. So you can see that my whole life is black.

I think everything falls into place, my modeling alias is harmonious to my life.

TAMD: Besides modeling, what do you do in your spare time?

MN: My hobbies are: Watching TV (I love movies and many TV series), going to the theater to watch movies, surfing the Internet, listening to music (darkwave, future pop, electro, industrial, noise, EBM, gothic, goth rock, metal, middleage crossover, folk...), going out to parties, hanging with friends, drawing, writing poems, reading, crossword puzzles, and cooking.

TAMD: What about alternative modeling do you find appealing?

MN: I can make pictures different from the mainstream, I can dress up and play weird roles. I can show my dark side, I can be evil or I can be nice, I can show different faces. I can plan with own ideas for shootings if I want. That's all so fantastic and I have the chance to be creative, it's a free and easy thing. 

TAMD: Describe Halloween in Germany.

MN: It's definitely not the same as it is in America, there's no trick or treat. But for several years there are have been Halloween parties in Germany too. You can buy Halloween accessories, there are Halloween and horror shops on the Internet, it's already very commercial here. Of curse there are also separate gothic Halloween parties. When you are watching TV on Halloween, you can see many horror movies and Halloween specials.

An interesting thing from my childhood near Kassel was a custom named "Glowesabend". It's every year on St Nicholas' Day. The children wear costumes and fantasy masks, ringing on every house and doing a hackneyed saying to get sweets. It's very similar to Halloween but a regional custom in Germany.

TAMD: Tell us about the photo that is being featured.

MN: It was taken on my last shooting date: 09 / 12 / 2012. It was a great fantasy shot, the photographer bought the costume and lent it to me. The idea was that I am an evil witch..

Halloween *Mini* Interview Part 2: J. Michael Kent

Photo: Dead Clown Studios


TAMD: Who are your favorite movie killers? Why?
J. Michael Kent: Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, because they're awesome. 

TAMD: What makes a good horror film, in your opinion?
JMK: One that makes you jump all the way through it, and has lots of gore. Also, one that has a good plot.

TAMD: Which is more important, the gore or the storyline?
JMK: Storyline.

TAMD: Do you have any Halloween traditions?
JMK: I love 'Trick or Treat', I'm like addicted to it, so I watch that every Halloween.

Halloween Interviews Part 3: Rachael Rose

Photo: Carlos Toledo

  TAMD: Is Rachael Rose your real name, or an alias?

RR: This is my alias.  I am a pretty private person so having an alias allows me to have a personal life that isn’t in the spotlight...ever.  And it’s pretty easy for my kids to not get harassed.   

TAMD: What made you want to model?

RR: In real life I am a HUGE Tom boy.  A friend of mine was looking to start her photography business and asked me if I’d be willing to dress up and take some shots for her.  Once she posted those images another photographer contacted me and asked to see the rest of my portfolio...When I told him I didn’t have one and wasn’t a model, he said I needed a change of career asap.  Now I love dressing up and being a girly girl. 

TAMD: What is you favorite thing about being a model? Least favorite?

RR: My favorite thing about being a model is a tossup between the people I meet and the images I get. I’ve been very lucky to meet so many people that have been more than business contacts.  They are now my lifelong friends.  And these people that I will forever be friends with have my back and I have theirs.  It’s one of the great things.  The 2^nd in my toss up is the images I get.  They are something my grandchildren will be able to look back on and see some of the things I was able to do.  I wish my grandparents had something like this to leave me.

Least favorite, for me, it’s the people.  (catch 22)  Some are great and others are shit talkers who cannot think past the ignorance they were taught.  And the people that I call WIIFM people.  (What’s In It For Me)  From fans to people in the industry.  I am all about networking and always helping everyone out.  Word of mouth is a powerful thing.  Some fans think they deserve something special because they clicked like on an image or shared a contest.  These fans, to me, have zero respect for me or themselves and I won’t give them the time of day.  Then the people in the industry that forgot that they were that page with 2 likes and needed others to help them.  Not my favorite thing at all. 

 

Photo: Ike Kraushaar

TAMD: Tell us about Obscure Magazine; what is your vision for it, & how did it come about?

 RR: Oh our baby Obscure.  And I say our because I am including my partner in crime, Nikki LaRoux.  We hope to create something that embraces all aspects of edgy, fetish, tattoo, and non mainstream art.   Stuff that hits you in the face and makes you think, “why haven’t I seen this before” or “why haven’t I seen this person before”?   Well because you are not looking, we are.  Our vision is to take that artist that is amazing and undiscovered and show you their talent.  Our goal is not to be HUGE.  More of that mom and pop place you go to and love you bring your friends to it, but it’s your secret. 

 I mean, if we get huge and sell to major outlets, great.  But really our goal is the art. 

How it all came about...well, I had been asked by a few magazines to write or have some influence in their magazines.  And that’s fine but they had an outline pre done for me.  None of them felt right.  So I held off and didn’t commit to any of them.  Then Nikki came to visit me from Italy and was putting her magazine together.  We were on the same page since day 1.  Hopefully the rest will be history! 

 

TAMD: Describe Halloween in your house.

RR: It’s an all month affair.  We go all out.  Wigs, contacts, costumes etc.  We might dress up a few times in different costumes throughout October.   We hit up parties and events.  It’s a lot of fun.  The spookier the better, the more macabre the better and the bloodier the better! We really start planning November 1^st change our plans and tactics a bunch then come together. Last year my husband was an escaped mental patient zombie, I was a sexy nurse zombie, 3 of our sons were random boy zombies (skater, jock, creepy kid) and our youngest was the zombie hunter.  Prosthetics, contacts, blood, and makeup were KILLER. 

Photo: Jodie Royak

Photo: Sidney Adam Cumbie

TAMD: You've shot as a vampire, and you've shot as a zombie, which is your favorite of the two?

RR: That’s a close one too.  Zombies are a lot of fun.  And I will never turn down a zombie gig.  But my love is for the vampires.  I LOVE being that sexy forbidden character.  And I have some pretty bad ass custom fangs.

TAMD: How about a random Rachael Rose fact?

RR: Random Rachael fact, I shouldn’t be here.  (oh snap, shit just got real!)  When I was 3 years old my grandparent’s house burned to the ground. I was left alone in the kitchen surrounded by fire...no one could get to me.  From what I am told I passed out due to smoke inhalation.   My uncle burned his body to get me.  He had the scars to prove it until the day he died. 

When I was 14 I had to have emergency surgery and my heart stopped.  I was shocked and they performed CPR for 3 minutes.  The nurse came to my room when I was almost well enough to go home and told me that I was almost pronounced dead by the doctor.  For some reason they continued and my heart started beating on its own again. All that and living on the streets I cannot count how many close calls I’ve had...I don’t know how I am here today. 

 

TAMD: You've lived both on the East and West Coast of the US; have you noticed a difference in the way Halloween is celebrated from coast to coast?

RR: Absolutely!  But every single holiday is different from coast to coast.  St. Paddy’s is better on the east coast for sure.  Halloween is just different depending on the people you are with.  Although I thought it was down played on the east coast.  I couldn’t go out in my wig, contacts, blood, fangs on October 1^st without getting harassed about it.  Last week I went shopping with my fangs and contacts.  It’s great. 

TAMD: What would be your dream shoot?

RR: My dream shoot would be to do all comic book bad girls.  I am probably the nicest person you will ever meet.  I can talk to anyone anywhere about anything.  Just a couple days ago a woman at CVS asked if she could give me her number so we could hang out...kinda cool.  But I can play that bad girl/bitch really well.  I like it. 

TAMD: Finally, is there anything you would like to add or promote?

RR: More than anything Obscure.  We are getting things ready to go to print and release January 1, 2013.  All the people signed up for print really deserve to have recognition.  Not only for having our backs and giving us material but because they are pretty bad ass. 

Photo: Ike Kraushaar

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Halloween *Mini* Interviews Part 1: Dayne

Photo: Nic Burgess

TAMD:  What is the story behind your alias?

Dayne: My alias for modeling has a number of origins. It's the last name of a country singer, the last name of a Character in Game of Thrones, a variation on a name that is in my family, and also a homonym for my heritage (I'm a "Dane"). It's simple and memorable, and somewhat androgynous as well, which I like.

TAMD: What drove you to start modeling?

Dayne: I was driving with my husband in the south of Germany three months ago and we needed a way to pay for gas. I booked my first modeling job in München with Lifes Foto Models for 150 Euros, after that, for some reason I just started booking a lot of work!

TAMD: Besides modeling, what do you do in your spare time?

Dayne: I am finishing up my Bachelor's Degree, I garden, and I read mostly. I am learning a lot about photography and photo editing even in just the three months I have been modelling.

TAMD: You recently did your first cosplay shoot, do you have more planned?

Dayne: I love cosplay and before modelling I couldn't afford it. One of the wonderful things about this job is being paid to enact a fantasy. I plan to do more work like that in the future, instead of "pretty girl on a white background." I love being approached with a fully-formed idea, or creatively collaborating on thematic shoots.

TAMD: The photo that is featured was very controversial when I shared it on TAMD. Mainly people were saying you were glorifying murder, in your own words what was the motivation behind the shoot?

Dayne: The shoot with Nic Burgess where I play a "dead girl" (a la Laura Palmer) was just a lot of fun. Hallowe'en is coming up, and I think the photos turned out really well. It's funny that Nic gets accused of glorifying misogynistic themes and whatnot in his work, when he was in fact one of the most respectful people I have worked with so far. Your average "guy with a camera" who approaches you and wants to do sexy nudes or lingerie shots in his basement has far more contempt for women than your average kink/fetish, alternative, or horror photographer. I must say that with the number of times I get asked to look doe-eyed, submissive and sexy in my line of work it is refreshing to do work where the point is not "be pretty so I can fap later"--the point is "let's create some art."

Halloween Interviews Part 2: Mija Lou

Photo: BHK Design

Photo: BHK Design

TAMD: Tell us a little about yourself.

Mija Lou: I'm a 21 year old Scandinavian viking from Denmark. Born and raised in the town of Lego, Billund. I go to business school, where I only survive because of coffee and music. I was raised in a family that loves music and to party, so I'm a pretty free spirit. I'm a lover, not a fighter. I try to fill my days with lots of love and joy. I don't let people manipulate me. I'm very down to earth and I'm a polite person. I think I'm a funny person; I laugh at my self a lot. I'm a creative person who loves to draw, paint, sing, dance, perform and so on. Lover of everything oldies, the music, the clothes, the people, the history. Lover of horror, zombies, and good scary films. Halloween freak.

TAMD: What or who inspired you to model?

ML: I've always loved to be in front of the camera. Always been inspired by the vintage pin-ups & looking more into it I found more modern pin-ups as well, and I felt the connection.

My family has always got my back and knewing that, I felt more strong to try out my little modeling dream. 

Jasmina Kovacevic

Jasmina Kovacevic

TAMD:  What would you like to get out of your modeling career?

ML: All in all the experience. To meet new people. To get published. See the world. Learn new things about my self and the world.

TAMD: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far in your modeling career?

ML: I'm so happy about all I've accomplished so far, from my first model work for Punk Up Bettie to my first publication in a magazine. Also being more happy about how I look, how I am, and being more open. All the people I've met through this have been incredible as well!

Daniel Vilstrup

Daniel Vilstrup

                   

TAMD: You're mainly a pinup model, what drew you to that style?

ML: I'm a lover of the oldies. I love everything a pin-up model stands for. That's how I've always been.


TAMD: Besides modeling, you play various sports. Tell us about them.

ML: My family is very athletic, so of course I was raised to play sports. Football/Soccer is what runs in my family. My dad plays, my big brother did play when he was my age, if he hadn't stopped he probably would have been a pro goalkeeper today. My little brother has also been playing since he was little and if he would take it more seriously he probably also would be a pro. I've been playing since I was 10. I started out as the only girl with 35 boys, but that has only taught me to not be afraid of getting down and dirty. I play twice a week now and I'm striker. 

Daniel Vilstrup

Daniel Vilstrup

TAMD: Describe the modeling community in Denmark. Is it easy finding work, or is it still a small community of professionals?

ML: I wouldn't really know, because I haven't searched for model jobs here. I have a job for Punk Up Bettie who's located in Copenhagen (our capital), but that's the only thing I have with my own country. Danish alternative model Anne Lindfjeld basically told me to get the hell out of Denmark if I really wanted to be a professional alternative model.

 TAMD: What are a few things that people would never guess about you?

ML: I'm a quiet and shy person. I have anxiety. John Lennon is my hero. As a little girl I wanted to become a rabbit when I grew up. I love musicals. I have won gold and silver in rhythmic gymnastics. I'm not fond of the pin-up dresses with wide skirts. I've been to London, Paris, Prague but never tried to fly. I'm very clumsy. I hate my ankles. I'm a LOTR freak. 

Daniel Vilstrup

Daniel Vilstrup


TAMD: What are your plans for Halloween if you celebrate?

ML: My plans are to celebrate my friends birthday. We made it a tradition 2 years ago to celebrate her birthday and Halloween the same day because her birthday is 2 days before Halloween and we both love to go all Halloween crazy. It's really not a big thing in Denmark which is PRETTY DAMN ANNOYING.

As far as costume wise, I'm going to be the devil, as shown in my new Halloween photos. I want to be sexy this year! Haha!


TAMD: Is there anything you'd like to add and/or promote?

ML: My fan page? I have so much comin' and would love to share it with you all. It's always a pleasure. From more pin-up to more horror. Collaborations and publications. Yes it's all there! Come by and say hi :) xoxoxoxoxoxo!!

Thank you Ashley & TAMD <3 MUCH LOVE!!

Halloween interview Part 1: Brian Dickie

TAMD: You're new to TAMD, so please tell us a little about yourself. 

Brian Dickie: I'm 32, live in Chicago with a girlfriend, and a dog. At night I manage the longest running nightclub in the country, Neo. I fill up the days with as much as I can, whether it's being an extra on tv shows or movies, photoshoots, fixing Harleys, or finding time to get tattooed.

TAMD: Do you find it's hard to be a male model in a generally female dominated industry?

Brian Dickie: By no means do I pay rent off this, it's a hobby - at best. But, I can definitely see it being "more accessible" for females. The other side to that though is, there are fewer of me doing it. Tattooed or Alternative modeling is such a niche anyways, I might not even notice a gender discrepancy so much as a lifestyle one. Alternative Male Model is kind of a pocket, within a pocket. Would it be easier if I were female? Probably...but it would also be easier if my hands weren't tattooed. I see it, but it doesn't affect me much.

TAMD: How would you define your style?
BD: I don't think I've been doing this long enough to have one really. I know what I like shooting, and looking at, but not how to define it. Still working the whole style thing out.

TAMD: Tell us a little about your tattoos? How many do you have, meanings, etc?
BD: The last time I counted it was around 20, but that was a few years ago and I now just consider it one big one that isn't done yet. But they're all stories, and all mean something. Where I'm from, where I've worked, things I can't forget or don't want to. A few memorials, some demons, some advice, and some guardians. A few silly ones, but even the stories for those are a few pages long.

TAMD: What do you think is the biggest misconception about those with modifications?

BD: I think inferiority.

TAMD: Speaking of modifications, besides tattoos, what other modifications do you have?

BD: I have stretched ears, at about an inch. a 6 gauge septum, 8 gauge labret, and 10 gauge barbells in my nipples.

TAMD: Were do you want your modeling career to go?

BD: Wherever it does. I don't ever expect to be on billboards or bus stops, but a tattoo magazine or two would be cool.

TAMD: What was the story behind your shoot with Jim Sorfleet?

BD: Jim is an old friend I've had a working relationship with for about 5 years. We've been involved in a lot of the same things and have a lot of the same interests, but never shot together. It was kind of a first for both of us, he doesnt usually shoot males, and most of my work to that point had been "just standing there" kinds of shots.

TAMD: How will you be celebrating Halloween, if you celebrate?
BD: The bar I manage in Chicago is for lack of a better word, a "goth bar" so Halloween for me is the busiest night of the year. And has been for the last ten years. I celebrate Halloween usually around November 3rd or 4th.

TAMD: Is there anything you'd like to add, or promote?
BD: The Alternative Model Directory

All photos are used with permission, and are the sole property of Jim Sorfleet. Do not copy or use without consent from the photographer or model.

Find Brian on Facebook! 

Enter for the chance to make YOUR favorite TAMD model our MOTM for December 2012!

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Fan Appreciation Giveaway #1

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for getting TAMD to an amazing 10,000 fans on Facebook. It's absolutely a wonderful feeling to see the page reach that many fans. To show my appreciation I've teamed up with a few business's, and even created my own 'sample basket', to bring you a few giveaways.

First up is a giveaway with Rainwater Studios. Rainwater Studios is a small business from Grand Rapids, Michigan who specializes in unique and enchanted pieces of handmade jewelry. Here a few teasers of what you could get if you win the $25 gift card from Rainwater Studios:

Now for the giveaway, all you have to do to enter is login using your Facebook, like the pages described, and follow Rainwater Studios on Twitter. Each action you take gains you 1 entry into the giveaway, complete all 3 get 3 entries. Simple right?