happy august

kitty bellicose

happy july

Lola Botomizer

happy June

more :: pinup photo shoot :: a girl named Bunny

pinup photo shoot with a girl named Bunny

happy april

A ballerina needn’t be a saint and a skater isn’t always a sinner.

Bamphetamine - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar       

These roller radicals blossomed in just barely a year, growing into a bouquet of vigorous wildflowers, capable of standing beautifully alone. 

Here are some images from the two calendars the girls and I made together for 2011 designed by Dave McKay Design (layout and design...not shown here).  There are only a few calendars left. They can be found at Betty's Divine in Missoula, MT, or through the Hellgate Rollergirls by emailing them at hellgaterollergirls@gmail.com 

More calendar images can be seen on Athena Photography.com

                                                       

Bitty Bitch & P.O.'d Box - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar

                     

   Night Mare - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar                            Psyco Bows - 2011 "Gritty" Calendar 

  

Lola Botomizer - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

      Tricksie Fiend - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar                 Hell Bunny Hunny - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

  Harpy Marx - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar 

I started working with the Hellgate Rollergirls  in their first year and this is partially why it has been so enjoyable. A friendship is beautiful to witness but seeing the introduction, formation and trust building between these girls has been mesmerizing and inspirational.  I photographed the Rollergirls 2010 calendar, these were the days, and I began to notice that these Hellgate Girls weren’t just amicable and polite, but that they had a generous bond and camaraderie with each other.  Something often not found in just a regular group of friends, they had a deeper care.  They continue to be a cohesive unit of stability and encouragement… they just happen to skate around a rink wearing fishnets. And they beat the crap out of their opponents. 

After shooting their calendar piece, I began to shoot practices and battles.  I witnessed their progression of skating skills and their growing collection of battle wounds, and also saw their organization and authority advance as they came together as athletes.  They developed together, yet as independent women.

I get goose bumps and a lump in my throat when I tell people how proud I am. These girls are finding themselves again or discovering themselves for the first time. The comments that they’ve shared with me are infectious and leave me energized.  Roller derby has given them power: a power of confidence, a power of determination.  It has given them power to get up after they fall again and again.  (Not to mention, roller derby has given them all great legs!)  

 Hott Mess - 2011 "Pinup" Calendar

Hellgate Rollergirls, thank you for filling my year with your courage, love and toe stopper stands.  Happy holidays and I look forward to the new year with you!

2011 calendars

Of all the things I've done in 2010, I'm most proud of the Hellgate Rollergirl calendars. I have a special place in my heart for those girls, which I will share more of in a future blog post. But for now, I want to celebrate the release of the calendar.

                                                                                         Pinup calendar cover

Bitty Bitch, that's Brae's rollergirl name, and I got together to dream up the 2011 calendar, we left our meeting with two calendars in mind. The first one is a 'pinup style' 11x17 flat calendar. The classic, Vargas pinup calendars with their white backgrounds and sexy girls were our inspiration. We asked Dave McKay Designs to take our ideas and step them up with his clean, simple and effective design. I'm really grateful to him for putting his magic touch on the Pinup calendar, but also for busting out on our 'gritty' themed calendar too. The Gritty calendar is a 81/2 x 11 folded calendar with a darker edger feel to the photographs and design.

                                                                                         Gritty calendar cover

This project really turned out to be a community collaboration, which warms my heart even more. Here is a list of the local talent: Hellgate Rollergirls modeled, I photographed, Dave McKay designed, Josh Quick did the HGRG logo, 12 business sponsored each month, Allegra and Pyramid printed the calendars while walking me through the process, and now derby fans will buy the calendars.....oh, love community.

The girls will be signing and selling the calendars for the next two months. I will be at their release signing tomorrow night, Friday, Nov. 5th at Break Espresso from 5-8. 432 N. Higgins, see you there!

rockin' rollin' car show and pin up girl contest

Here are my favorite PHOTO BOOTH pictures from the event the Hellgate Rollergirls and Hot Rod Lewies put on last weekend. Sunny and hot, stressful a tad, and super fun. Thanks to my hard working assistant 'Texas',  beautiful girls, handsome cars, and reapplying some Secret deodorant (I know mom, it's bad for me) I made some photos I'm happy with.