I don’t have too many words for the greatness that is Lindsey and Mark. We were going to do a session that involved paint and lots of color for their engagement session in Raleigh. Then suddenly, two nights before, it was determined that the paint wouldn’t come in. So they decided that they’d like to do a Rocky and Bullwinkle type of session featuring the Dudley Do-Right segment, where the hero rescues the damsel-in-distress from the villain who conveniently tied her to the railroad tracks. Suddenly our session went from lots of colors to all black and white awesomeness!

My questions were:

- Do you have a villain? (Yes.)

- Do you have a fake mustache? (Way ahead of you.)

Once those pressing questions were answered, I went to work storyboarding the session. I wanted it to be all black-and-white with a 50mm and to have a sort of silent-film vibe, so I added the word cards. Mark determined that the girl would get to the railroad tracks via a lure for a free puppy, so free puppy posters were made, and I dug up a stuffed dog animal from around the house. I also called my dad, who was a big Rocky and Bullwinkle fan as well as the villain in his high school play for tips on the storyline. Lindsey, Mark, and Brent made other signs (including my favorite: “Definitely Not a Trap”), and paper-mache bombs and TNT. Geoff and I met the crew at some local tracks (WARNING: KIND OF DANGEROUS, DO NOT ATTEMPT UNLESS YOU’RE CAUTIOUS PEOPLE AND HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN. SERIOUSLY.) and brought along our props and our stick-figure-drawn-out storyboard and shot the session frame for frame. I love it. I do. It was freezing and windy and mid-day, but despite all of the conditions working simultaneously against us, we pretty much rocked it.

A whole bunch of people pulled this out together. Sometimes photographers tend to take credit for stuff all on their own, but really it’s always a collaborate process between your subject, you, and people you’re close with. Lindsey and Mark – thank you for taking a chance with your session and being creative and fun and all things awesome – we cannot wait for your wedding! Brent – thank you for your impeccable raised eyebrow and ability to twist a fake mustache! Geoff – thank you for coming up with our clever title and the word “tomfoolery” as well as assisting on set! Dad – thank you for your knowledgeable knowledge of villainy behavior and old cartoons!