The perfect backdrop

A few years back, one of my clients I met at the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point, NC, asked me to photograph his lamps within an old abandoned factory. Here in NC that is an easy thing to find. Accessing them is another story. Many are still full of asbestos and boarded up, understandably, but a shame, as there is so many gorgeous old buildings.

I drove around one afternoon and stumbled upon this one factory in Thomasville, NC. Yes, that Thomasville. It was being utilized as a vintage car repair shop with hopes of turning the upper floors into a bar and grill. So they welcomed me with open arms. 

I was in heaven, as I love photographing the grit and history that surrounds us.

The light in these spaces is impeccable, as they were created to be illuminated by natural light well before factory lights were the norm.

If only I could have one of these as a studio... I'd be in heaven.

The trickiest part of the shoot was getting the lamps to be lit, but without plugging them in. No outlets. We thankfully found some fluorescent bulbs that were meant to be charged up and used without a direct electrical source.

What was once thriving

Took two tables to Ward St today for a shoot. Amazing building. There once was a thriving furniture area there. Now, boards, trash, and For Lease signs. Would be a great place for us to start something: gated, cops patroling the area, large space. No windows though.

Used to be a Ralph Lauren showroom and Betty something, too. What was interesting was the door to Betty Boop's place. Gorgeous, as you will see in these images, but was made with plywood. They must have known that shop wasn't meant to last. High Point has the potential, but needs an awful lot to get moving again, save for those two times a year.

Those two times a year when the fuzz clears the streets of the realities that are there the other 10 months of the year. But it is real. It is gritty, but real. Safe, but you still need to not go there alone.

I haven't yet fixed up the photos that I will post with this tomorrow. But I think I got a few good ones. We will use these for Etsy and website. [Yep, a few good ones...]

Until then.