But not too personal! It’s been a little less than a year since California Redwoods photography came on board as one of The Vicious Bettys PinUp Dolls signature Photographers, but it feels like a lot longer! This past year working with John has been fabulous and full of crazy memories…some we will share…and some we will keep secret..for your own safety! We have developed a great working relationship, and friendship. Our shoots are never less than a whirl of fishnets and fun! I can’t say enough great things about his work, attitude and creativity! Let me introduce you to my good friend John of California Redwoods Photography……
Q: What made you realize photography was something u were interested in doing, and how long ago was it?
A: Photography has always been an interest for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until two years ago that I decided to take it to a professional level.
Q: What are your favorite things about being a photographer?
A: It can be challenging and very rewarding at the same time. I love the spontaneity, the chaos, the power to capture time, memories and emotions. It takes a lot of time, patience, work and determination and it all comes together for me when I hear or read comments on my work.
Q: Do you have a favorite style or subject to shoot?
A: Although I like shooting wildlife and landscapes, shooting with models is my favorite and main focus. I like shooting pin-up, fashion, beauty, glamour and portraits. I think freestyle would be most fitting, I don’t want to be labeled as any certain kind of photographer.
Q: What type of camera do you use?
A: I just retired a Canon Rebel Xsi, which was a good entry level camera from the Canon line. Now I am shooting with a Nikon D300s which is very suiting to the type of photography I shoot the most.
Q: How did you come up with the name California Redwoods Photography?
A: I wanted my business name to match my email address, which has been California Redwoods for the past 10 years.
Q: What events have you shot at? Which ones were your favorite?
A: Midnight Mass, Billet Proof, Booze Broads and Hotrods, The Vicious Betty’s Website Release Party, Sadies Sock Hop, Sinning at the shop, Marina Car and Air Show, Chris Marks Car and Bike Show, Victor Louis Fashion Show Naomi May Designs and Tainted Fashions Show, O’Neil Cold Water Classics, and Hot Rods On The Beach…I’m just going to say they were all my favorites and move on to the next question.
Q: Who or what influences your work?
A: There are many people that influence and inspire me in many different ways and for many different reasons. I don’t want to list names, because certainly I would forget someone, isn’t that always the case? So let me say that most of my influences and inspiration comes mostly from family, other photographers, models and artists.
Q: What is one memory from a shoot that sticks out in your mind?
A: Without question that would be when I was invited by fellow photographers Eric Courtney and Les Gadula to shoot with The Vicious Betty’s at the Burlington Hotel in Port Costa. We had the entire hotel to ourselves with access to all the different rooms. It might have been considered more a party than a photo shoot at times…we shot until around 2am . We all came away with some great pictures and memories ! This was my first encounter with The Lovely Vicious Betty Pin-Up Dolls and by far, the most memorable shoot of all times !
Q: We have worked together many times and it’s been awesome….what do you enjoy about working with The Vicious Betty’s Pin Up Dolls?
A: I first met Tawnie Trouble at a modeling/photography workshop put on by Mark Behrens and his staff from lookpw.com and shot with Tawnie a second time at the Historic Preston Castle in Ione, CA. It was through her that I first heard about The Vicious Betty Pin-Up Dolls. Since then, I have shot with the *VB Dolls quite a bit. At events people I don’t even know will know who I am and associate me with the *VB’s. We have developed a good professional relationship and friendship. Attending most of the events that the *VB’s attend, support or promote, I get to see first hand the huge fan base they have and the impact their presents makes. They are never too busy to stop and take pictures with fans, or sign photos. I feel honored to be “their photographer”. Not only do I enjoy shooting the *VB’s, I’m also a big fan!
Q: How can our readers get in touch with you, and see more of your work?
A: You can find me and my work on most of the popular social websites
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/californiaredwoods
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/californiaredwoods/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Santa-Cruz-CA/California-Redwoods-Photography/265080616399
Model Mayhem
http://www.modelmayhem.com/783944
http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/profile/CaliforniaRedwoodsPhotography
http://www.google.com/profiles/californiaredwoods
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaRedwoods
The Skulls C.C. brought the wheels down for Ms. Vicious & Tawnie Trouble to shoot with California Redwoods Photography, for Sick Kat Kustoms! This is part one of the shoot and part two is coming soon! Check it out! see more of Sick Kat Kustoms at
Sick Kat Kustoms will be featured on the site next month! More photos, Sick Kittens, an Interview with Dana and Dawn of Sick Kat Kustoms and a new Video from our shoot with California Redwoods Photography!
The Vicious Bettys PinUp Dolls have had the wonderful opportunity to work with some amazing photographers! One of my favorites is Northern California based, Think Tunk Productions. Some of my best memories of shoots come from shoots with Eric Courtney! His style, personality and raw talent make it a great time…everytime, and The Dolls and I are always pleased! If you get a chance to work with Think Tunk productions make sure you take it! Eric rocks my socks and I know you will love him to!
http://www.snapmatter.com
http://www.twitter.com/thinktunk
http://www.modelmayhem.com/snapmatter
FB Fan page, go “like” it!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Think-Tunk-Productions/186811263022
http://www.myspace.com/aktorpedo
http://www.examiner.com/x-36056-Sacramento-Photography-Examiner
Model Credits
Naomi May, Stefanie Kelley, Zabrina Jade, Linda Del Sol, Ms. Vicious, Tawnie Trouble ,Stefanie Kelley, Dottie Damsel, Darling Danika
She’s sassy…she’s sweet…she’s always Pretty In Pink! She’s Vicious Betty Linda Del Sol! Photo By Bonsai Paul! 
MEET FEATURED BETTY OF THE MONTH….MISS JUNE…TAWNIE TROUBLE
From growing up at car shows, and having a father who always had a hot rod to work on and spare parts in the garage, to owning her own Crown Vic and becoming a successful PinUp model…Tawnie Trouble has the Hot Rod/ Rockabilly scene in her blood! For her, it’s not a scene, its a lifestyle and she lives it to the fullest! Tawnie is one of my good friends and my partner in crime! Together we run The Vicious Bettys PinUp Dolls! Its been a lot of hard work, frustration and tears…yet with a shot of whiskey in one hand and our red lipstick in the other…its been a blast all at the same time! I don’t know what I would do without this doll so hands down, she has to be the first model featured on the site! So get to know more about my good friend, and kick ass model….Miss Tawnie Trouble!
MV: What is it about Pin Up modeling that made you say, “I want to do that!”?
TT: Probably the shoes, any excuse I have to put on some sky-high-heels I’ll take!
MV: Who are your influences?
TT: Kay O’Hara, Asia Devinyl, Miss Rockwell DeVil, Bettie Page, Marilyn…there’s a long list of beauties out there that are very inspiring to me. I don’t have one favorite; they are all Classy, talented women that I’m sure a lot of us look up to.
MV: Who is your dad….and how did he play a part in you getting involved in the rockabilly/ hotrod culture?
TT: My dad is one of the coolest guys I know. He’s sometimes known at Ivan the Terrible and he’s definitely a legend in his generation of hot rodders. As far back as I can remember there was a garage full of hot rod pieces and empty Budweiser cans, paint on the driveway and angry neighbors in the morning when my dad would fire up the hot rod getting ready to hit the freeway. My dad worked as a mechanic for 25+ years and he definitely took those skills home with him. His friends and eventually my older brother’s friends would be at my dad’s house daily asking him for help, usually on body work. There wasn’t another guy in our area code that could smooth out a piece of metal like my dad could. He unfortunately has retired from the hot rod scene…for now… My brothers and I grew up going to car shows and swap meets, we were some of the folks that arrived rain or shine at 6:00am and stayed until the show was over. Hot rods and old rock n roll have been normal in my house, it’s not a scene to me it’s how we live.
MV: Tell me about your dream car?
TT: My dream car just happens to be sitting in my garage right now, a 1954 Crown Vic. As of right now it has no engine, no transmission and the interior is shot but ALL of the original chrome is there, the original radio is in the trunk, the door panels are in almost perfect condition and the steering wheel looks brand new. I can’t wait to get her running!
MV: You have some killer ink! What are some of your favorites, and what spots were the most painful?
TT: My favorite ones would have to be my Jesus under my left arm, the daisy on my right elbow and the pin-up on the back of my right leg. I have so many I forget about them sometimes… The most painful one was the Geisha on my ribs, I have about 15 hours invested in it and it was 15 hours of pure pain! But you know what they say, if tattoos didn’t hurt even pussies would have em 
MV: Speaking of your tattoos…I hear that somebody close to your home (and heart) is responsible for most of yours?
TT: Yes, Gabe L. Monte has done most of the tattoos I have. He really is an incredible artist and he’s super talented, anything he puts his mind to he can do. Lucky for me Gabe and Ivan the Terrible will be helping me with my car so I have no doubt that it will be cherry when we are finished.
Aside from being my artist Gabe is also my hero, my best friend and the love of my life. Hopefully we’ll be driving the ’54 to SoCal for our wedding this year…
MV: What are some of your future goals, and some of your biggest accomplishments since you started modeling?
TT: I would have to say my biggest accomplishment would be the friends that I have made along the way; they are all beautiful on the inside AND out. I really couldn’t have hoped for a better circle of friends. As for my goals I hope to continue to have a good time and meet new people. I’m not in to modeling in hope of striking it rich; I do what I do because I like it.
MV: You walked in the Pin Ups for Pups fashion show, and made it into their 2010 calendar. What was it like working for such a great company with an awesome purpose?
TT: I really had a great time working with Sondra from Pin-Ups for Pups. She is super sweet and her mission in life touches my heart. There are so many helpless animals out there that are mistreated by their owners, it just makes me sick.
( Photo Above: Fashion show for PinUps For Pups…guest starring Spider the Dog!)
Pin-Ups for Pups raise awareness and they rescue animals from being euthanized simply because somebody decided they didn’t want them anymore. Dogs have souls and they hurt like we hurt. I just don’t know how somebody could look their pet in the face and see the loyalty they have for you and the love they have in their hearts and not be affected by that.
I am very happy that there are folks like Sondra out there that are making a difference in the lives of animals.
( Photo Above: Marilee Caruso Photography…Check out this photo of Tawnie Trouble in the 2010 PinUps for Pups calendar!)
MV: You yourself have two adorable rescue pups, the one and only Spider, and the oh so energetic Lucky…too cute! What’s the best thing about having your two pups with you every day?
TT: My dogs are always happy to see me! I can have the worst day at work and when I get home they are so excited that I’m there it makes me forget how awful my day was. They are cute and funny and they know it, I just don’t know what I would do without my dogs! The funniest thing they do is when I let them pick their own cookies out of the box of Milk bones they sometimes take 2 real fast and then run like their ass is on fire.
MV: If you could shoot anywhere in the world where would it be?
TT: That is a tough question…the beaches in Mexico, a ranch in Texas, an old bar in Germany, anywhere is Spain… I would pretty much go anywhere for a photo shoot!
MV: What would we find on your ipod right now?
TT: Buddy Holly, Bad Religion, Texas Tornados, Beastie Boys, Billie Holiday, NOFX, Dean Martin, The Rhythm Shakers, The Smut Peddlers, Rancid, The Jim Rowdy Show, The Misfits, Poison, Ice Cube, NWA, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, DJ Quick, Calexico… the list goes on…I have never limited myself with music, food, people, not with anything.
MV: 5 ways to be like Miss Tawnie Trouble:
TT: 1-Be honest
2- Always Be loyal
3- Don’t cut your hair
4- Buy a lot of shoes!!!
5- And most of all never forget who you are and where you came from
2- Always Be loyal
3- Don’t cut your hair
4- Buy a lot of shoes!!!
5- And most of all never forget who you are and where you came from
MV: What projects are you currently involved in?
TT: Right now I am involved in hosting the pin-up contest at Midnight Mass, which is in Roseville, CA July 31. Also I am involved in helping out with a show in Dixon, CA on July 4. And I’m in the middle of planning my wedding!!! I have a busy, busy year ahead of me!
MV: How can our readers get in touch with you and see more of your work?
TT: I can be found at www.myspace.com/misstawnietrouble, www.theviciousbettys.com, www.pinuplifestyle.com/misstawnietrouble. And I can be reached at misstawnietrouble@hotmail.com. I am the girl taking entries for the Mass pin-up contest so anybody interested in entering send a picture of yourself to my email!
Photography By: Marilee Caruso, Think Tunk Productions, California Redwoods Photography, Devils Daughter Photography, LegG Photography
Asia DeVinyl has to be one of my all time favorite models! She was the first modern PinUp Doll that I couldn’t get enough of, and she continues to be a real inspiration to myself and others. She’s wild, sexxxy, and well recognized, but don’t think its gone to her head….Asia is one of the sweetest girls I’ve talked to and I just love her! This Video is from 2007 but it is still one of my favorites….so get to know a little more about the one and only Vixen of Vinyl….Asia DeVinyl interviewed by Eric Blair!
I will be the first to admit it….I am shameless enough to feature my own photo!!….especially when it was shot by my good friend John of California Redwoods Photography! Its always a rockin time when we get together and I just love his work! Shot right in Johns gorgeous back yard in the Santa Cruz mountians…he even had the water warm for me…now thats a Pal! Cheers to you John!
