The one and only Kat Perkins visited my wet plate studio today for a couple of hours. She was raised here in North Dakota and was a contestant on the 6th season of "The Voice". She is holding a concert tonight at the Belle Mehus which we will be attending. This shoot was a year and a half in the making and the main goal was to get one 8x10" black glass ambrotype for the North Dakota Historical Society. She fell in love with the process and we all had a wonderful time creating together. A big thanks to Corey Carson from Elevate Studios (www.imelevate.com) for taking the behind the scene images of our shoot. His eye behind the ground glass is also greatly appreciated.  The plate with her holding the microphone will be going to the permanent archive of the State Historical Society of North Dakota at the Heritage Center here in Bismarck. 
 

www.katperkinsmusic.com
 

Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion
 

Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion Kat Perkins Wet Plate CollodionKat Perkins Wet Plate Collodion
 

I had the true honor of capturing our very own Monsignor Shea from the University of Mary in the wet plate collodion process.  The main goal for the shoot was to have one of the plates make its way to the archive at the Historical Society of North Dakota.  We made good on that goal.  On October 29th, the Heritage Center took possession of the plate entitled simply "Monsignor", a black 8x10" ambrotype.  We made four plates total that day, one for the Historical Society, one for Monsignor's personal collection, one for my collection and one was donated to the faculty and students of his beloved college. 
 

Monsignor James P. Shea, Wet Plate Session, October 19th, 2015Monsignor James P. Shea, University of Mary, Wet Plate Collodion Monsignor James P. Shea, Wet Plate Session, October 19th, 2015Monsignor James P. Shea, University of Mary, Wet Plate Collodion Monsignor James P. Shea, Wet Plate Session, October 19th, 2015Monsignor James P. Shea, University of Mary, Wet Plate Collodion Monsignor James P. Shea, Wet Plate Session, October 19th, 2015Monsignor James P. Shea, University of Mary, Wet Plate Collodion
 

Monsignor James P. SheaMonsignor James P. Shea Monsignor James P. SheaMonsignor James P. Shea Monsignor James P. SheaMonsignor James P. Shea Monsignor James P. SheaMonsignor James P. Shea
 

I had the idea for some months about sending my son Greyson, who is 10 years old, into the stratosphere.  I was able to find a generous and talented metal sculpture artist by the name of Ed Kidera in Maryland.  I made a phone call and proposed a collaboration.  He was so kind to agree to send me one of his metal sculpture jetpacks on loan for the shoot.  The jetpack arrived and we got our other props together and we were ready for the launch.  This was the first time that I have ever used live fireworks during an exposure as well.  The entire afternoon was rather magical.  The jetpack was very heavy and uncomfortable, but Greyson was a professional and did his best and never complained once, even thought it was obvious he was struggling.  The most important thing about this collaboration is the time that I got to spend with my boy in studio.  Hopefully some day he will think back and say "I remember the day I was able to fly in my Father's studio".
 

http://www.kiderafineart.com/ed/
 

Greyson Balkowitsch, "Rocket Boy"Wet Plate Colloidion   Greyson Balkowitsch, "Rocket Boy"Wet Plate Collodion
 

Greyson Balkowitsch, "Rocket Boy"Wet Plate Collodion
 

Greyson Balkowitsch Greyson Balkowitsch Greyson Balkowitsch