When I realized that Mark G. Harris wasn’t going to be able to attend the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival this year, I wanted to find a way to include him in the goings-on. Besides the fact that he wouldn’t be able to read his beautiful short story “Love Taps” from Fool For Love or enjoy the many informative panels, master classes, and readings, he’d be missing out on the social aspect of the festival. There’s something electrifying about getting so many creative people together in one place. Not only can you reconnect with old friends and fellow writers, but you never know who you’ll meet and how that will inspire you. In fact, it was Timothy’s and my chance meeting with Mark at the festival in 2006 that led to his writing “Love Taps.” And led to his creating his LiveJournal account. And led to a wealth of new friendships–those Mark has found or who have found him, as well as the ones he’s brought to me and to others.
There were going to be far better photographers than I at the festival–many of them Mark’s and my mutual friends. So I knew I couldn’t dazzle him with my mad camera skillz. (And good heavens, if any of you haven’t seen this photo taken by Dan, check it out. It’s proof that hundreds of people can shoot the same scene, but a truly gifted photographer makes it his own.)
There is another passion Mark and I share outside of writing. With the help of a 1972 McCall’s pattern, carefully selected mod fabrics, seven enthusiastic models, and our friends, I offer Mark my unique experience of this year’s festival.
After a lot of sewing, the models were ready for their fittings in Houston.
Faizah, Lacy
Barbie, Rocky
When everything was packed and ready, it was time to board the Damsel Steamer and cross the Big Muddy to the City That Care Forgot.
Everyone was thrilled to meet and pose with the models. Okay, maybe not everyone.
Greg with Abby.
Though rain prevented me from taking these beautiful belles to all the must-photograph spots in New Orleans, we managed nature shots:
Kikki and Summer.
Fountain shots:
Faizah and Rocky.
To make the scene at the W Hotel party:
Dan and the mysterious ‘Nathan with Abby.
The “Last Supper” at Margaritaville:
Michael with Abby.
Mona’s Restaurant in the Faubourg-Marigny (BEST FOOD EVER):
Melissa and Famous Author Rob Brynes with Faizah.
The closing party at the Bourbon Pub:
David and Michael with Rocky.
And the REAL last supper at River’s Edge Restaurant, where Faizah was overcome by the excitement of it all and David valiantly revived her:
Everyone picked a doll to pose for you, Mark.
Timothy with Kikki, Lisa with Barbie, ‘Nathan with Lacy, Dan with Rocky, Marika with Abby, David with Faizah, and Michael with Summer.
There are more photos of the dolls at my Flickr set. I’m not sure how Jeff and Mike and Lindsey and Rhonda avoided posing with dolls, but I hope you enjoy the shots I was able to get, Mark.
Aw…
You’re a dear friend to have taken these photos for Mark.
🙂
(And I loved seeing them, as well!!)
😀
Thanks!
I thought I was posing with Nikki, hence the horror.
Understandable.
As G-d is my witness, I initially thought David was snorting coke out of Faizah’s nose. I really need to get some sleep. Because, even if David was a big ol’ coke head, Faizah would never stand to be outsnorted.
I thought the same thing! My parents didn’t bring me up right or something…
–Famous Author Rob Byrnes
No blow this trip, but I did suck a couple of Jello Shots out of G.I. Joe’s naval later that night.
*tears* I’m so proud.
Just wait’ll I publish my (only) two hookah photos.
1) How were you able to pry these lovelies away from everyone’s fingertips after the photos were taken?
2) AAUUGGHH!!!
3) I’d have never guessed that the dress pattern would look good floor-length, but Rocky looks delicious as hell.
4) ::screams again::
5 This one’s for Chanel.
I’m am skuh-reee-ming my head off from this. You guys are all so hysterical.
P.S. I agree; Dan’s photo is exceptional.
P.P.S. Figaro sorta kinda wants a dress from you….
Any particular style/color/fabric?
I’d be thrilled with anything. : ) zing! : )
Hey, remember the New Orleans Runway challenge? This dress design would’ve ruled. : )
OMG! I forgot about David performing CPR!
CLEAR!
You’re so multi-talented.
This was a great post, Becky!
Thanks!
Oh wow. I was going for “coke-head model” and I think I missed, and landed somewhere near “famous author.”
(oooh, I’m going to Hell, aren’t I?)
No.
*PHEW*
Popping out of lurkerdom
Just wanted to say what a fabulous thing to do … it’s amazing to see all the work you went to, with such good effect.
Re: Popping out of lurkerdom
Awww, thanks!
Thanks for the post, Becky, that was such a good time.
As to my photo, I wasn’t too happy with it, which shows we are often our own worst critics. I prodded at it in Photoshop for a bit until I was okay with uploading it, but those mules refused to position themselves where I wanted. How about that, mules can be stubborn, even in digital form.
Freaking mules. Don’t tell Marika I said that.
why are we dissin the mules? They aren’t stubborn you know, it’s just that mules do not do things that go against their best interest.
Thanks for letting us share!
The first picture? I had a dress exactly like that way back when . . . 😀
Now how come there’s no photo of that?!?
*grin*
Did those little tarts think they were too GOOD to pose with us? Hmm.
I suspect that if they’d been wearing Star Trek-inspired outfits, you and Mike wouldn’t have beamed yourselves elsewhere whenever the dolls appeared.