Saturday Fun

I can't remember if Ashley Tipton or Mickey took this shot.
I can’t remember if Ashley Tipton or Mickey took this shot.

I was contacted, a little over a month ago, inquiring if I would be interested in providing a hot rod for a photo shoot. The photographer was contacting me from Toronto, Canada, and the location was a little over an hour from Springfield. Since the photo shoot involved a model, I did have a bit of concern on whether the photographer and model would stay within the realm of modesty, etc. The last thing that I want to participate in is something that I would disapprove of my daughters doing.

So, after consulting with a few of my fellow car club members, I decided to go ahead and participate. I sent photos of the truck and the coupe, and was actually pleased that the model chose the truck. I called my buddy, Mickey, and asked him if he was up for a road trip. After injuring his shoulder and foot, in a work related incident, he’s been pretty much stuck at home, and I figured it would be a good change of pace/scenery for him.

We took off, out of Springfield, around 8:30am and drove some rural roads to get to Strafford, MO, where we hopped onto Route 66. I figured that we could double up and do a “route scout” for next year’s SWMO Hot Rod Hundred.

We arrived in Lebanon, around 10am, and found a car wash, so I could wash off the morning bug splatters, and be a bit more presentable. Between the car wash, and the following convenience store stop, we had several folks talking to us and wanting to take photos of the truck. I always take that as a huge compliment, and always am willing to tell folks about what I know of the truck’s history, and how special it is to me.

We finally met up with Ashley Gillick (photographer), Julia Hart Whitney (model), and Ashley Tipton (model’s best friend), and went to the first location. It was a cool place, with lots of green space and a small pond. Since I have never been around a photography session like that, it was very cool to watch how Ashley and Julia communicated and worked together for some great photos. As we wrapped up there, and were getting ready to head to the next location, Ashley told me that he had already shot over 1,000 photos. The wonders of digital photography!

Mickey took this artsy fartsy shot!
Mickey took this artsy fartsy shot!
The first location.
The first location.
"Can I have you move the truck over about a foot and a half" or something like that.
“Can I have you move the truck over about a foot and a half” or something like that.
The artist at work.
The artist at work.
Another action shot.  I just wish that dang shrub wasn't in the way.
Another action shot. I just wish that dang shrub wasn’t in the way.

A quick stop, to allow Ashley to unload his photos to his computer, allowed the girls and I to run down to the convenience store for some snacks and soft drinks. I took the opportunity to get my photo taken with Julia!

It's an unwritten rule that you have to get a shot with the model, isn't it?
It’s an unwritten rule that you have to get a shot with the model, isn’t it?

The next location was an old abandoned Phillips 66 gas station, up near the Richland, MO exit, on Hwy 44. You can’t hardly see the building anymore, with all the brush that has grown up around it, and the restaurant building next to it is the same way. Due to the sunlight, at that time of day, I don’t know how well those photos will work, but it was a fun location to go to and see.

By the old restaurant.
By the old restaurant.
Next to the poison oak covered restaurant building.
Next to the poison oak covered restaurant building.

It was a pleasure to work with Ashley and Julia. Both were very gracious, respectful of the truck, and just a lot of fun to hang out with. To see more of Ashley’s work, feel free to cruise over to his site, Eye Candee Visuals. Thanks again, Ashley and Julia, for allowing my ’40 stake truck, to be part of your photo session. It was a blast.

Being goofy as we were coming across the south side of Springfield, heading to Mickey's house.
Being goofy as we were coming across the south side of Springfield, heading to Mickey’s house.

While not hot rod related, my day ended by dropping Mickey off, running back to my house, grabbing a jacket, my tickets and my 16 year old daughter, and heading to the Missour State Ice Hockey game. 😉

Yup, the FUN is in the RUN, and while I don’t like sitting around all day at a car show, I didn’t mind sitting in a park and watching the photo session. Besides, we did nearly 200 miles in the truck!

Bret
Bret@StreetRodder.Net
http://StreetRodder.Net
The FUN is in the RUN!!!