Ami Elston of Itchy Kitty is a mythic figure, towering in presence, this real life Valkyrie, her head crowned with platinum flames that crackle white under the lights of any stage she struts on. She's a warrior of legend, drawn from the same northwestern forests where the chaotic good folk reign supreme.
There's a sense of ancient power about her too, straight out of some forgotten saga, wielding a Flying V like a +2 battle axe of lore, with each thunderous chord stricken making the ground tremble in reverence.
Together, she and Naomi Eisenbrey, only yet glimpsed, are a tempest, and watching them from the pit means standing at the edge of a roaring storm.
Kind of terrifying, but also intoxicating and still safe within its orbit.
Sharing the heart of Itchy Kitty is Naomi Eisenbrey, another elite Valkyrie who embodies a beautifully fierce duality, both sweet and savage. She pulses with the energy of a chaotic yet warm-hearted fae, eyes sparkling with ancient mischief. Her unpredictable, impish body language fills every moment on stage, with a devilish grin hinting at hidden depths, while her piercing gaze could disassemble me at any moment.
As she moves across the void, she's both playful and ferocious, going between wild abandon and an imploring, tender allure. So, there's an ever-present question in the air: whether she's actually controlling the wild force within her or setting it loose upon the crowd, channeling something ancient, with energy that's impossible to contain and eventually inducing physical collapses from this primal, symbiotic possession.
I usually reach out to artists, hoping for the chance to photograph their upcoming shows. Artist passes are often limited, so I'm always grateful when I get the green light. It's rare for an artist to approach me for a shoot, rarer still when it's months in advance and almost unheard of when it's an artist I hold in such high regard. So, when Naomi from Itchy Kitty reached out, I started counting down the days. I knew it was an opportunity not only to photograph their show but also to capture something I love just as much, though I often hesitate to ask for: portraits.
Meeting artists you've photographed from a distance often means stepping into uncharted wilderness. There's always the fear of coming across as another faceless photographer or failing to match whatever image they might have of me. The one-sided nature of this connection looms, where they gaze at the photos but rarely the photographer, while I've seen their presence online for some time. If the roles were reversed, I can't imagine wanting to meet someone who's been watching me so unseen. That tension always clings to me, except when Itchy Kitty are the artists. With the kindest of hearts forged from black gold, they put me at ease in a way that'll always be remembered. ⚡️
I've never been great at directing portraits. I'm always insecure about it, quick with my disclaimer that I'm not a professional photog. My mind tends to freeze, terrified of suggesting anything cliché since it's happened before, and the cringe haunts me when it does. That's why I consider myself fortunate that so many artists I've photographed take the reins themselves, breathing life into each frame. Naomi and Ami, even in moments of awkwardness or uncertainty, embodied their essence so fully. A fierce authenticity that effortlessly merges their personalities with their aesthetic. They bring to life the whimsy, humor, and raw energy that make Itchy Kitty a photogenic, favorite force of mine. ⚡️