By Melissa Jones McGinnis Bruce Henry Originals is a photography and body art business owned by Raylynn Henry and located in Marshall, Tx. They do all varieties of family, portrait, event, and artistic photography, bodypainting, airbrush temporary tattoos, and temporary glitter tattoos. They offer individual sessions, group sessions, and glitter tattoo party events. They can be found online at www.BruceHenryOriginals.com, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. How did you get into the nerdy realms? What were some of your earliest nerdy memories? Bruce started playing Runescape when it was first developed and released. He also coded computer games for fun. He did all that around 10 years old. Mine I was a huge Harry Potter fan, I finished reading the Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince in 9 hours and 36 minutes when it came out, I even took breaks. What did you get into first, cosplay, or vending? What are some of the different bits of satisfaction you get from these? Vending. I haven’t started cosplaying yet because I haven’t found something I want to become yet. We get to meet new people, have fun with old friends and we also have a safe environment where our kids are able to come. How do you design your glitter tattoos and airbrush pieces? What is your inspiration in regards to your photography? Our glitter tattoos we get the stencils bought on Amazon as we haven’t quite figured out how to get out stencil equipment to cut correctly. Our customs we usually find stencil ideas online and then we use those with others to create custom airbrush pieces. I first started modeling and Bruce did really good with photography in high school so he picked up a camera again and then moved into Bodypainting. With this, we were able to not only create a safe environment for the models but it was a one-stop-shop basically. Only we see the originals. Our inspiration comes from the models themselves or random thoughts. What have been some of your favorite body paint designs and/or photos you’ve done? I am partial to the steampunk shoot we did with Alice Grey and his all-time favorite one is his pumpkin queen with Jessica King. We haven’t done as many as we used to, we usually do about 1-3 a year now. What are some of your favorite cosplays’? For yourself or others. Big fan of Harry Potter and Kim Possible stuff. Bruce’s favorite would be Deadpool or Killer Clowns from Outerspace. If you had unlimited time and budget, what would your dream cosplay be? Bruce says Batman, I would probably say Poison Ivy. How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get into it? What has the response from family, friends, and neighbors? We started in 2015 just doing photography under a different name, when Bruce started helping out with a local haunted house, Graystone Haunted Manor located in Longview, Tx he started wanted to move towards Bodypainting. I was in the modeling circuit so I asked model friends to help out. They were ok with it, those who were more conservative of course said their piece but for the most part it's been good. In 2019, we renamed the company and rebranded. We now do things that are both adult and family-friendly We don’t discriminate. For Raylynn: being a younger female businessperson, how has the response been when some people find out it’s your business? For the most part, people are surprised to find out I actually own the company and not Bruce as he’s a major contributor to this company but he can’t handle the stress that comes with it. With the crossover of Cosplay and Modeling with the increased focus of Body Positivity, who do view how Cosplay has dealt with this subject? Do you think body paint is part of cosplay and has that added to Body Positivity? Yes, I think bodypaint has changed the art community and making body positivity a huge deal. Bodypainting is just another form of cosplay, just like the Furry community. Paint is just a layer of skin that’s being applied, anyone can do it. What is your favorite con/event story? My personal favorite last year was Tyler Comic-Con, just because I was able to sit in a session with Eddie McClintock from Warehouse 13. Another favorite is the Tyler Paranormal Conference, I was thankful not to have to work that event but I liked it. What are some of your favorite events? Tyler Paranormal Conference, Tyler Celtic Fest, both Geekend events, Canterbury Renaissance Festival, Corpse Grove: the Wicked Playground, Graystone Haunted Manor, etc. Who are some of your favorite local cosplayers? What are other local cosplayers doing that you really appreciate and/or admire? A favorite local cosplayer is Cassie LeGrand. MinkyQuinn, I admire because she does so much in her community and for her age, she is going out and representing Heroic Inner Kids by cosplaying and putting a smile on other’s faces. Who are some of your favorite local artists/vendors? What are some clever vendors out there local that you think, “I wish I thought of that!”? There are way too many vendors we have met that are our favorites. Risen Son’s Creations makes dragon eggs that change colors. Whimsical Way makes body products. E&M Metals is an old school forging company, with an old school forge. Mystic Hideaway provides some of my favorite items. Little Boxes creates painted boxes and other items that are popular. There are many more people I have not named but they too are our friends and our favorites. By David Doub What got you into photography? What got you into photographing Cosplayers? Pretty much since I was a kid and could use a camera. I have always loved capturing moments and interesting things in the world. Pictures allow me to show people what’s out there in the world. I had photographed a con-event 2 years ago, Chimichangcon and was able to meet some great and interesting people who love to cosplay. And I thought it was so much fun, so, I continued doing events and meeting new people and collaborating. What are some of the differences in shooting Cosplayers vs other types of photography? Cosplay is similar to doing portraits, only you get to do a lot more action or fun types of poses. Cause when the person is in character they can do a lot more. How do you “view” cosplayers being the photographer? Brave, they are doing something that brings them a sense of enjoyment and others may judge that are not apart of the cosplay world but they don’t care. It’s something that allows them to be fun, funny, brave, show off their hard work of piecing together a costume for characters they love or can relate too. And when they get to do it with friends it makes it even more worth it. What are some of your favorite stories of a fun or interesting photo shoot? What are some of your favorite pictures you’ve done? There are so many. I do so many different types of styles and photograph so many different things. I love shooting all of my cosplayers and vintage models, Sports players, car/motorcycle shoots, animals, Family & Friends. Last year was a year of trying new things, I was able to do my first product and boudoir shoot. Who are some of your favorite cosplayer to shoot? So many, I really do love all my cosplayers I shoot. We have so many different ideas and each shoot is unique to them. Who are some other local photographers you like and want to give a shout out to? I admire a lot of different styles in photography, a few of my local favorites are Chris Schmoyer, David Hamblet, Tim Cullum, Alan Tijerina, Oneil Brown (Famous Photography), Shane (Roxas Studios), Larry (On Edge Photography) and Pete Wiggins, (Studio Mater47). Just to name a few………Lol! Do you prefer shooting at conventions or at your own chosen locations? Do you prefer more staged or candid shots? Definitely, chosen locations, it can make you feel you are actually in that world of the characters for cosplay shoots. BOTH candid and staged! Either one can make some great shots for different reasons. What are the details of your gear? What sort of PC and Software do you use to edit your pics? I use a Canon Rebel T6, all various lenses and filters Lol!! For the moment a regular HP and GIMP. I hope soon to upgrade. But for now all of it is good for learning and gaining experience. For people just starting out wanting to do photography, what advice would you give them? Find yourself a good/decent camera and start shooting anything you find interesting. Take some classes, if you are unable afford classes, ask or find some photographer friends who don’t mind sharing their knowledge. Youtube specifics and just see if you like it. Photography is art, find your style and go with it. What are some upcoming shoots or conventions you have coming up? I have a couple of Vintage Fashion shoots, Queen Atlanna & Sirens, Cheetah Character and I am planning a Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts shoot. I hope to go to Fan Expo other than that I am pretty open on Conventions. |
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