Tucson based, Foxblood Photography: Meeting Aaron Peterson.

Photography/Practical Props/Lighting and Sound Specialist

Rating: PG-13, with the occasional foray into R.

There he was, during a time no one knew the actual end of. He, among a creative meet-up which would be some of the last to see the Casa Grande Domes before the demolition. I was there as a rope model for a local rigger, I took on collabs as they were offered during the event & I had the honor of shooting with him that day. I loved his energy, his outlook, and presence during our exchange. I admired his passion for tradtion as he pulled out an old electric guitar and began telling the lore of said guitar. I've had the pleasure of working along side him again, bringing him onto one of the projects that I faciliated this year. It was outside of his realm but he was invested in bringing that vision to life. Mistress Jaz and I shared such candid moments during our goo session. The combo of her, myself and goo was a fabulous expirience outside of the calculated poses for the art. Aaron had a one track mind being the documentor; the lighting, direction, the frame. Like a fly on the wall, he documented one of my most memorable projects with a dear friend and mutual creative. If you've enjoyed the content of me in a latex hood, this is the guy to thank.

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Instagram: Foxblood_Photography #Asongoflightandshadow Contact: apeterson@foxbloodphotography.com I originally picked up a camera because my dad was a hobbyist photographer... So, naturally, I wanted to follow. I surprassed a hobbist when I began working semi-professionally for a local newspaper in a little farming town - turned traveler designation- we lived in while I was in high school. Then I put it aside to during college, as ones pritoties change. I started back up after I got divorced, joining a local FB photography group and started going to group shoots that contributed to my growth.

I dabble in everything, mainly editorial and cosplay photography. Sometimes fire or pyrotechnics is involved. I also do Lighting and Sound work and I'm the A/V Manager for Tucson’s local science fiction convention, TusCon (https://tusconscificon.com) I'd say the biggest influence is probably the core group I work with: Zoe (@zgirlmodel), Di Marie (@_themonsterlady), and Dylan (@thedylvill). We collaborate on our ideas and provide a safe space to try things. There are a few YouTube pages I follow, for technical tips as well. My biggest hurdle is the tech aspects of working the camera (shutter speed, aperture, etc; Remembering to focus after moving). Personally, being a rejection phobic introvert; Offering a shoot can be hard, sending work for publications can be hard, in every sense. Being an individual, the time avail for editing and finding a good pace taught me to compose shots thoughtfully & keeping the shutter count low so there’s less to chose from. But, trying to balance the clients needs and my own artistic vision will always be work in progress. To pin-point my favorite memory is dififcult. It might be the collab that I did with Di Marie, who is also a Special FX MAU. The concept was inspired by artwork via the Vampire the Masquerade- a tabletop roleplaying game. (Yes, the fire was practical effect.) Sticking to tradition, our annual concept during the Fall this year was a La Llorona shoot on the Salt River. A stigma I’d love to eliminate is the “Guys with a Camera”/”GWCs". These are the creators who use their service to ogle scantily clad (or naked) people and/or putting models in inappropriate positions. (They’re not all men, victims aren’t all women, but the stereotype exists within reason.) I believe if you’re going to provide a service, do so with professionalism, as a decent human being. This applies to a TFP or a paid shoot. Insight that I can provide to the learning is Practice, Practice, Practice; both the tech aspects and the artistic. Don’t be afraid to ask, the worst they can say is “No." (Okay, that last part is a work in progress for me, see the “rejection phobic” above.) Things I'd like to see in my future is learning Shibari rigging. Doing some light painting and fire spinning projects. I’d also like to pick up a pyrotechnics certification in the future, that could come in useful if filming in Southern Arizona (since Arizona finally has film tax credit.) Providing awareness that Tucson alone has lost over a billion dollars over the past decade from movie productions that went to New Mexico because they had a tax credit and we didn’t. I would love for there to be more production opputnites within Arizona. For those who are enthusiast towards theater, dramatic expressions, recreating fantasy and sci-fi images. Give Aaron Peterson a follow on his journey within cosplay and his contribution towards the performing arts.