FAQ
How did you get into modeling?
I am often asked how I "got into" alternative modeling. First and foremost I do not really consider myself a model, in that I don't really feel I adhere to the stereotype - I am not a size zero, I am stubborn as a mule in regards to my appearance and damned if I want to live my life as a walking clotheshorse. With my dad being a photographer I was always quite used to being in front of the camera and had a relatively sound knowledge of how photography works, from loading film to lighting to developing pictures, so when I was approached by a photographer in a Goth club when I was 17, I happily agreed to let her shoot me. I began working with her, building up both our portfolios, focusing very much on a dark, gothic aesthetic. I had a few other bits and pieces here and there in regards to photographic modeling but never really took a serious interest in it until I began working with Brent Leideritz in April of 2006. By this point I had pretty much grown out of the goth look and I found that Brent and I clicked extremely well artistically. We both ploughed ahead, collaboratively developing and refining both his photography and my modeling. He introduced me to the girls at Dragon's Blood Creations and after shooting in some of their exquisite garments I became "the face" of their label.
Why do you go by "Atrophy"?
Another thing people ask me is why I go by the alias "Atrophy". For the most part I do like to keep my private life private, and also if there are going to be pictures of me on the internet for the world to see, I'd rather not make my full name known. I chose Atrophy after reading "The Mayfair Witches" by Anne Rice: Part of the story tells of a beautiful, pale-skinned girl with long black hair and red lips, who is driven into insanity and spends her dying days in an old white nightgown with a huge emerald around her neck in a rocker on the front porch of her house. It described in detail how she suffered terribly from muscular atrophy as a result of severe post-traumatic stress disorder. What got me though, was the fact that she was still described as breathtakingly beautiful despite of the insanity and atrophy she suffered.
I think it was also my warped sense of humour finding the juxtaposition of the glamour of modeling and the revulsion of a pretty disgusting medical condition kind of funny.
Is your beauty spot real?
Yesum. I usually go over it with a lick of liquid eyeliner though just to make it really pop out.
Do you do your own hair and makeup?
Yes I do, unless it is credited otherwise. I use all sorts of makeup as long as the texture is nice and the pigment is high, everything from $2 no-name eyeliner to Atelier and Kryolan. I don't use MAC however, I think I'm one of the few people who find most of their products pretty sub-standard. I also style a vast majority of my shoots by myself. I figure a photo is forever so it's worth putting the effort in. Plus I love playing dress ups!
OMG! Where did you get that top/skirt/corset/headpiece/makeup/shoes?
I get asked this all the time, especially about the headdresses and fascinators- I make them under the name "Regression" (check it out here) But yeah I generally make a lot of the accessories in my shoots, since when I'm styling I pretty much picture exactly how I want the shoot to look, and if something's missing and I can't find it I'll make it. The rest of the stuff I get all over the place. Ebay is a personal favourite, otherwise usually op shops (thrift stores), art and craft stores, markets, anywhere really. All my corsets are by Dragon's Blood Creations because a) they're extremely good corsets and b) I'm their spokesmodel so I have to haha!
I want to have a go at modeling - can you hook me up with a photographer?
I've listed all the photographers I've shot with, including links to their websites etc, at the bottom of the page. Drop them a line, most of them don't bite!
Are you a complete bible basher or what?
I get asked this alot. I'm not. I find Christianity fascinating on many levels but predominantly on an aesthetic level (ie, mexican iconography, which I collect) but I am not personally religious.