Character Photoshoots

We had a blast with a character photoshoot for Pocket Full of Teeth that we did a few weeks ago. I really wanted the characters to feel like real, living people, so this was a great way to see these characters come to life.

First, Cat is the main character of the found memoir within the book. She returns home after the tragic death of her mother and finds that her childhood home is haunted. Cat attempts to work through grief, becoming an adult, and finding her own voice in a community that is laid with secrets and ghosts of its own. Here’s how the final shot came out.

Next, Mr. Johns is the town patriarch. He’s the guy that everyone knows and loves. His family helped establish the town, and through careful planning restoration, the once- flailing community has another chance at life. But as with all great figures, no one is perfect, and when his secrets are threatened to be revealed, he will do anything to keep them hidden. This was one of the hardest shoots to complete, but I think it came out well!

Then, we shot Liz. She is a breath of fresh air in the novel. She is the local cafe owner and artist who offers Cat a job and a chance at becoming a part of the community. Although Cat is often overcome by the loss of her mother, Liz inspires her to start writing again and trust that she really is deserving of love, no matter what has happened in the past. We had so much fun on this one.

Another fun character to capture was Ray. Disowned by the town patriarch at the age of eighteen, Ray has always had to look out for himself. He works as a handyman and is known for his partying and his charm. Although he loves Sarah, he can’t keep his wandering eye at bay, and soon, he realizes he’s in too deep to ever escape. I love how his photo came out and really think it captures him.

Then, we have Eddy. She is the main character of the novel and tells the entire story. She is being interviewed by police about a body that was found at the bottom of a well, and her locket was found nearby, connecting her to the scene. As she tells the police what happened, she talks about a haunted manuscript found at the back of her mom’s desk drawer. She reads the manuscript aloud and relates how the book’s ghosts began to make an appearance in her own life until that fateful night she found herself at the well. So creepy yet intriguing!

The last shoot of the day was Sarah. When unexplained noises and apparitions plague Cat as she returns home, they also lead her to something unexpected: her mother’s diary. Told from Sarah’s perspective, she outlines the events that led to her death. From falling hopelessly in love with Ray, Mr. Johns’ rebellious son, to struggling with Cat’s coming of age, Sarah’s tender words show the true depth and desolation that come with being a mother and being desperately in love with someone she’s always known was going to leave. When we finally got this shot, we were all in awe. So soft, feminine, sad, yet hopeful. What a great way to sum up the novel!

And here are a few bonus photos for Sarah!

I hope you enjoyed these photos. They were a blast to create.

You can grab your pre-order of Pocket Full of Teeth HERE. The official release date is Friday the 13th of September!