Forest Witch Experimental Photoshoot

MASK: Taken with Nikon D80 SLR, edited with Photoshop.

Sunday I ventured up to my dad's house in West Grove, PA. I spend most of my hours there making jewelry or catching up on some paranormal shows. This November day was really warm and the sun was striking, I had plans to do a photo shoot for a while with the remaining pieces of my Halloween costume, which was 70s horror actress Linda Hayden as Angel Blake from Blood on Satan's Claw. The film is set in 17th century England and tells the tale of a village being taken over by demonic possession. Inspired by the scenery, witchcraft, spells and '70s music I collected my costume, cameras and animal skulls from my backyard and got in the car to take the 20min drive.

After 2pm I spent a good two hours in the woods, I wore my white sheet and my hand-made crown of flowers like in the film, I ditched my blonde wig because those store bought wigs are always the worst. I snuck over to the neighbors property in which I used to go when I was a kid, there is a farm with goats and in the middle is an open green area surrounded by a small mountain side with trees and dark jagged rocks. As a child I used to challenge myself to climb it then go for walks exploring. I returned to the pit as I call it, and did some shooting on the stone altar that stands in the center. I was there a few months back and had discovered a circle with remaining ash and animal bone. Animal sacrifice maybe? I returned to the pit, with some of my animal skulls from my backyard garden. Most had been given to me by friends over the years and have the perfect decay and have been eaten away by the elements; thought they'd be interested organic pieces to include in photos.

The stone altar has been there more than 30 years. Instagram.

Remains of ash and bone. Photo taken with Instagram.

Close up of animal remains? Photo taken with Instragram.

The whole time I was experimenting, especially since I was alone I had to figure out how to take photos of myself without a tripod. I used the surrounding tree branches and rocks to hold my camera in place, then I would set a timer. As you can imagine I have many photos figuring out placement and where to stand, that's part of the fun. I brought along my iPhone using the Camera+ app and also my Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera. Photos were edited with Camera+ and photoshop with the ones from the Nikon.