Photographer, Damien Hendley decided to focus on the fear of clowns for this editorial because his girlfriend suffers from Coulrophobia. He shared, “I love clowns. She will hyperventilate and have panic attacks because of them. This photoshoot made me realize how creepy clowns can be. The people that are passing by during the photo shoot, were terrified.”
Wanna play a game?
Inspired by Coulrophobia which is the fear of clowns.
This work appeared in Issue #38 Vol. 1 | July 2016 | Phobias & Superstitions purchase this issue in print on Magcloud
https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1135015
Featuring Model Sir Buttercup VonDingus
https://facebook.com/Sirbuttercupvondingus
@sirbuttercupvondingus
Photographed by Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography
http://www.deadlyphotography.com
http://www.facebook.com/deadlyphotography
http://instagram.com/deadlyphoto
Make-up by Jennifer Little
https://facebook.com/artistjenniferlittle
Created in Vancouver, BC
Gothesque Magazine: Do you suffer at all from any of the top 10 phobias (Arachnophobia, Ophidiophobia, Acrophobia, Agoraphobia, Cynophobia, Astraphobia, Claustrophobia, Mysophobia, Aerophobia & Trypophobia)?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: I do fear certain spiders and other animals. Just mostly because I don’t know how temperamental they are and just want to avoid being hurt. I’m not afraid of heights, as I’ve been a construction worker for years and have been walking walls, on roofs, and on buildings as high as 20 stories. I also think being in a confined space would bug me. But I believe that’s just human nature.
Gothesque Magazine: Is there anything you were afraid of as a child that you no longer fear? And vice versa?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: I was afraid of the thunder and lightning as a child. Also, the dark. But I did grow out of it. I don’t really fear anything now as an adult.
Gothesque Magazine: Is there a superstition that your parents tried to instill in you, but to you was just too silly?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: Yes, my mother used to say, “Don’t step on a crack or you will break your mother’s back!” and I would step on the crack anyways! Because I was a brat. I also took in a lot from cartoons, like don’t walk under a ladder or cross a black cat’s path. Or how about seven years of bad luck from breaking a mirror. I have broken many mirrors.
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?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: Ya, I rub my lotto ticket on my bald head for good luck. But I’m just joking around. I had also picked up lucky pennies when I was a kid. We have always broken the wishbone for thanksgiving dinner or Christmas. And we used to blow out the candles on the birthday cake and make a wish.
Gothesque Magazine: How did you decide upon the chosen phobia in this content? What made you feel it would translate well as an editorial?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: Well, I picked this phobia because I love creepy clowns, and my girlfriend suffers from Coulrophobia. It’s so bad she won’t look at the pictures, and I have to warn her when I post them on social media. I picked Sir Buttercup VonDingus because he is a professional clown. Jennifer Little is an amazing make-up artist and really brought this idea to life. He was really silly to shoot with and creepy at the same time. You get the feeling from this editorial. People passing by during the shoot were afraid. He just wants to play a game… Do you wanna play?
Gothesque Magazine: Are you yourself afraid of clowns?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: My mother’s best friend was a professional clown. She came to a few of my birthdays as a kid. I loved it! But when I saw Stephen King’s IT… I was pretty scared. Also, I was told by my cousin when I was 10 years old that I couldn’t go into the forest because of the killer clown. I never did go in that forest. I have no fear of clowns now. My two favorite clowns are Pennywise and Captain Spalding.
Gothesque Magazine: Summer is gearing up, do you have any big plans personally and professionally?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: I will be shooting lots this summer: weddings, fashion, editorials and lots of events. And keep driving towards my goals for this year. I want to start doing video.
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)?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: When I started photography, I bought a used Nikon flash. I can’t remember how much I paid, but it didn’t last very long. But I was able to get cheaper aftermarket flashes online and was able to get four of them for the same amount of money. Then I broke two, but at least they were $80, not $500 used. Something I always bring to a shoot is flashes, triggers, and a reflector. You always need those and extra batteries!
Gothesque Magazine: What is something that most don’t know about you?
Damien Hendley | Deadly Photography: I’m not just a photographer. I have been an artist since I was young. I play drums in a band called Goodbye Terra Firma. I’ve been a chef in many restaurants. And I am self-taught at everything I do. I will always be learning something new.
