Terror of Night Saves Me From Sleep

Must not sleep as I fear what will happen to me once I do, but the longer I stay awake, the more I fear the darkness will take me — inspired by Nyctophobia (an extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness) and Somniphobia (irrational and excessive fear of sleep).

Terror of Night Saves Me From Sleep
Must not sleep as I fear what will happen to me once I do but the longer I stay awake, the more I fear the darkness will take me. Inspired by Nyctophobia (extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness) and Somniphobia (irrational and excessive fear of sleep).

Featuring Model Rene’e
Photographed by Chantell Reid Photography
http://www.facebook.com/chantellreidphotography
http://www.instagram.com/chantell_reid_photography
Created in Pendleton, OR

Chantell Reid is a photographer that constantly strives to push herself with her photography and improve the quality of her work. Whether the shoot is planned or done in the spur of the moment, most details are usually styled or created by her from makeup, posing, headpieces, wardrobe, and set design.

Gothesque Magazine: Do you suffer at all from any of the top 10 phobias (Arachnophobia, Ophidiophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia, Cynophobia, Astraphobia, Claustrophobia, Mysophobia, Aerophobia & Trypophobia)?

Chantell Reid Photography: Agoraphobia (The fear of open or crowded spaces.) I get severe social anxiety in crowds. I can’t stand the forced close proximity of strangers.

Astraphobia (The fear of thunder and lightning.) As a kid, thunder and lightning used to scare the begeezus out of me. My parents used to like to sit out and watch the heat storms while I preferred to be in the safety of the house. Now, as an adult, I am still scared by thunder. My husband thinks it’s silly, but when we have loud thunder at night, I cannot sleep.

Claustrophobia (The fear of small spaces.) This one is really bad for me. I start to panic. Covers over my head? NOPE! Total panic. Just thinking about being in a small space as I type this, my anxiety is rising.

Gothesque Magazine: Is there anything you were afraid of as a child that you no longer fear? And vice versa?

Chantell Reid Photography: Not really. I mean, as a kid, I was afraid of the thunder and lightning but as an adult, only the thunder scares me. And I was afraid of the dark for a short time but I think all kids go through a phase of that.

Gothesque Magazine: Is there a superstition that your parents tried to instill in you, but to you was just too silly?

Chantell Reid Photography: Not my parents. I never did get into all the superstitious stuff as a kid. The only one that really scared the crap out was Bloody Mary and that was all pushed by other kids.

Gothesque Magazine: Are you superstitious? Are there any superstitions you partake in, such as breaking the wishbone or picking up a penny for good luck?

Chantell Reid Photography: YES! So many of them. The wishbone for sure. When going through a tunnel I either hold my breath and/or hold the roof of the car. Living in Hawaii I think I became even more superstitious. Their folklore and stories are no joke. I have been a witness and experienced so much.

Gothesque Magazine: How did you decide upon the chosen phobia/superstition in this content? What made you feel it would translate well as an editorial?

Chantell Reid Photography: I was looking to do something out of the most common like snakes, spiders or clowns(which I am terrified of). When I looked up the list of phobias I was completely shocked that some were actually phobias. Being afraid of the dark stood out but then I saw afraid of sleep and I instantly knew I wanted to combine them. I actually wasn’t sure it would translate well at all. Each shoot I try to push myself and try new things. In the end, I was happy with the way it unfolded. Adding in elements like a lantern and a flashlight were key. Although I have to say, getting the perfect contrast of light and dark at dusk was tricky.

Gothesque Magazine: Do you yourself have a fear of darkness or sleep?

Chantell Reid Photography: I don’t think so. When I am home by myself, which is rare, I do get a little spooked in the dark or when out camping and I look out into the dark forest as we sit around the campfire. Sleep, though? NO way! I LOVE to sleep. There have been times that I have had a nightmare that has kept me awake and I have not wanted to go back to sleep for fear that I would dream it again.

Gothesque Magazine: Summer is gearing up, do you have any big plans personally and professionally?

Chantell Reid Photography: Nothing too exciting planned for sure. I do have a lot of health issues at the top of my list that I am working on getting fixed but then I do plan to visit an awesome friend of mine in Denver at some point this year.

Gothesque Magazine: When it comes to your photographic gear, what is one item you wish you had never purchased and what is something you take to every shoot (besides your camera)?

Chantell Reid Photography: I really wish I wouldn’t have bothered with getting my 35mm f1.8 and went straight for the 50mm f1.8. As soon as I bought my 50mm I was cussing myself for A. wasting the money on it and B. not getting the 50mm sooner. When I first started out, I thought it was so crucial to get the kit lenses. I have learned so much since then.

To the majority of my shoots, I take my reflector, my external flash, and my rain gear. I have always said that it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Gothesque Magazine: What is something that most don’t know about you?

Chantell Reid Photography: I used to want to be a model. When I was a teen I tried to actively pursue it but nothing ever came of it. I was always told that my legs were too thick. To this day I still have the portfolio I was building.