By Shilo McCabe and Airial Clark
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
Last Fall, Airial and I had the extreme pleasure of visiting with International Ms. Leather 2010, Mollena Williams. In a beautiful home in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood we took pictures and told stories for hours. We are sharing a few audio clips with you because it's just too damn enjoyable not to hear Mollena tell a story. She's been invited to tell stories all over the country and you have a chance to see her storytelling in person this Saturday, Feb 18th at Bawdy Storytelling's 5th anniversary celebration 5 Hard[core] Years of Bawdy!. (Please note, as this is our first foray into audio clips, some of them are a little rough but well worth a listen, thanks for bearing with us.)
Mollena's first story is about working with an art photographer whose primary focus was on the image as the final product. He told her that how she thinks she looks in the final photo is not his primary concern. Which, understandably seems harsh at first, but that is how a lot of photographers work. Mo's story illustrates a point that I am always trying to make with my own work; I can take erotic/sexual photographs in collaboration with the subjects- not at the expense of them. In this clip you'll also hear my response to her story.
Now, approaching fine art photography with the intent of creating the image as object as opposed to a subjective documentation of an authentic individual is fine. There is nothing wrong with that and I am not passing judgement about my style versus other people's. But, as Mollena mentions in her story, photographers like that could maybe work on their delivery.
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
I approach a photo shoot with the subject's well being and level of comfort as my first priority. Making the experience of being photogtaphed as enjoyable and safe as possible is my primary goal. Giving final photo approval to the models is how I create a safe space for them to take risks, be silly and relax. Secondly, my goal is to make a connection with that person- to have a genuine experience with them. That way I don't have to worry about the final product because I know that by taking the time to create the safer space and fostering the sense of trust between us, the photos will come. And they will be beautiful and they will be truthful.
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
Now that I have 31 masturbation shoots under my belt from last May, it was interesting for me to hear Mollena's experience of being caught by surprise with a masturbation request from that same photogtrapher and how she subsequently rose to the challenge to bring it in true Mo Williams style.
Mollena is such a public persona, that we - her fans and friends inside the computer - experience her highs and lows with her. One recent emotional low would be that, The Dominant Guy, (whom she refers to in this interview recorded a few months ago) and her are no longer in a relationship. We still present these stories with her blessing. We are grateful that she is so public about her life and her sexuality as it fosters a sense of normalcy and validation for people going through the same trials and tribulations. It matters so much to have models of alternative sexuality especially for those of us who grew up in, or still live in, conservative rural places. However, the question does arise - what does it look like to be a private person in a relationship with someone who is such an open book?
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
One of the important facets Mollena shares is of her own experience as a submissive and self identified slave. Here she shares with us the story of being a demo bottom for a piercing scene (a warning to the squeamish) for The Dominant Guy and his wife who were co-topping her; including her amusing observations about who is at the top of "Pyramid of Evil" within the Kink and Leather community.
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
In any social scene being 'the sober one' is a challenge. Mollena is very public about her sobriety story which she shares online and in person. She also uses her body to communicate. To us, Mollena embodies strength via honesty. She has her sobriety date tattooed on the inside of her wrist, a controversial decision to say the least, which she explains here:
We really enjoyed spending the day with Mollena and appreciate her taking the time to share her self with us and all of you. In parting, we're going to leave you with a vital insight into this remarkable and astounding woman. Feel free to make it into a ringtone, we have.
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| Copyright 2012 Shilo McCabe |
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