Shitty Upholstery (blog)
Dollys for Troops
Sweet Gwendoline
/Photo: I Get You Naked
"I am a low-brow 22-year-old smut peddler"
Photography by Shannon Moran
Shannon Moran is more than a photographer. Yes, she shoots naked girls, but she does so, so much more. So we asked a few questions and her fascinating response leaves us with images of lawn flamingos, hard cider, Peg Bundy, and the inspiring photography of National Geographic.
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Tell us a little about yourself...
I am a low-brow 22-year-old smut peddler living in an a quaint secret Strega house in Queens with fellow artist Katelan Foisy. Right now, I have my hands in a lot of projects. I am working on a pin-up playing card deck "Dollys for Troops" for our troops serving overseas, retouching for Inked Magazine, and launching a new killer clothing line, "Sweet Gwendoline" with the infamous Dirty Larry and JJ. I am always working on to many projects.
I am a fool for stockings, patent heels, ball gags, peeling pain, horror vision, ankle cuffs, sock garters and lawn flamingos.
I like to have a lot of control - from making my own sets for photo shoots to hand-crafting most of the props and wardrobe that shows up in them. My model alter-ego Bella Berlin can be found performing burlesque all over the Lower East Side, Coney Island, and New Jersey, running around the garment district with arms full of rhinestones or downing Pepitos sangria before noon on any given weekday. Shooting with me is a blast - first we kick back some Magners, then I get you naked and boss you around.
Who are the women you shoot?
Who are the women you shoot?
I shoot mostly friends that I know - I feel really comfortable "bossing" them around... I get approached by some really successful models or beginners that want to shoot with me but it never really feels organic. I have found my muse in Margie Maraschino, great friend and long-time partner in smut. I know every time I shoot with Margie that I will get exactly what I am looking for - and she will patiently pose while I make ridiculous requests. I am the Klaw to her Page.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by anything dirty, gritty, sexy, meek and helpless. I strive for red lips, screaming highlights, dark shadows all wrapped in lace. I am a fool for stockings, patent heels, ball gags, peeling paint, horror vision, ankle cuffs, sock garters and lawn flamingos. Kodachrome can bring me to my knees. I look up to Hunter Thompson, Irving Penn, Betty Page, William Eggleston, Lux Interior, Frida Kahlo and Peg Bundy.
Do you have any vices?
I have an addiction to red wine, garters, Cuban-heel stockings and 6-inch heels. I have a foul mouth and a volatile sense of humor - which is just a cover. I am really counting down the seconds until you get naked.
What first inspired you to pick up a camera?
I remember my father had a two-foot high stack of National Geographics in the bathroom. I used to lock myself in there when I about six or seven, huddle up in the bathtub, and flip through all the water damaged pages. I remember being too afraid to touch the actual photos - I thought they were real - afraid if I touched them I would loose a finger or disappear into the page. I didn't know then that I was going to take photos - I just knew that photography was electric. I've always wanted to work for National Geographic. Maybe one day I will.
- 10/04/2010
