Stacey Bode Photography

The “Men of Dad’s Garage” calendar that I photographed is featured in this month’s publication of American Theater.  Woo hoo!  A big ol’ thanks again to the awesome folks at Dad’s Garage Theater for bringing me in to shoot this project.  What a cool experience!

To read the full American Theater article, click HERE.

Prepare yourselves for a big slice of beefcake!  Yum!  It’s the “Men of Dad’s Garage” calendar!  I’m so glad they brought me on board for this project.  I did these shoots throughout July, and waiting this long to blog about it has been a special kind of torture.  The fabulous folks in these pics are ridiculously talented friends of mine, and they represent the improv ensemble at Dad’s Garage Theater.  The purpose for the calendar is to promote all the cool shows for their next season.  That way, people can see exactly when the shows are running.  Smart.  Even smarter?  Adding some eye candy to that info.

I can’t sufficiently describe here how much fun this was for me.  However, if you shove enough good tequila in my face, I might share a few special details.  Which shoot had the most giggling?  Which one was surprisingly dangerous?  Which one was I not wearing pants to shoot?  Note to potential clients:  I will definitely be wearing pants during your shoot.

So, I do a somewhat adequate job of keeping this blog at a PG-13 level.  I may be pushing it a bit with this post.  If your eyes, soul, or heart are of a delicate nature, I suggest that you do not scroll down.  You have been warned.

JANUARY

Here’s the one from this shoot that made it to the calendar.  We all agreed that the champagne missing the glass was the winner.

Here’s another shot I love from this shoot.  Having just started watching “Mad Men”, I have a new appreciation for Z’s sharp, cool, rat-pack style.  Nothing wrong with ringing in the new year with champagne and a handsome devil.

FEBRUARY

Anyone who knows Christian will understand that we had to involve robots.  Years ago, he made the costume he’s wearing.  During our shoot, he told me a great story about the first robot costume he made, and got stuck in.  Awesome.

This one didn’t make the calendar, but I adore it.

MARCH

Dad’s Garage could totally be accused of false advertising, since Amber is a lovely lady in the man calendar.  That’s why I thought we should play with that idea, and make her look like one of those androgynous Calvin Klein male models, or one of those Herb Ritz photos from the 80s with gals dressed as dudes.  I also figured that since Amber was the only girl in the group, she should be the only one that gets to pose with a half-naked woman.  By the way, a big thank you to gorgeous Alison for allowing us to completely objectify her incredible yoga bod.

Here’s the calendar shot…

…and another favorite.  To all the guys who see this calendar…..you’re welcome.

APRIL

I wanted to experiment with the “April showers” concept, and Lucky has a friend with this amazing car.  Win, win!  I just wish we could have gotten his dog, Abe Jackson, in more of the pics.

Not in the calendar, but I love this one too….

MAY

So, what do April showers bring?  May flowers, of course?  Only Tommy could pull of such a smoldering look while covered with this many blooms.

Seriously Tommy, that look should require a permit.  Weapon of mass seduction.

JUNE

Randy has a show coming up next summer called “Slaughter Camp”, and nothing screams summer like actual screaming when there’s a maniac loose in the woods.

I think my direction before this next image was “more blood!”.  I must also thank Breckan and Rueben for playing dead so nicely.

JULY

I think Mike got the easiest, most relaxing shoot.  On a hot day, he had to look hot while chilling by and in the pool.  I guess it wasn’t all a walk in the park.  I did make him wear that goofy headband.

God.  Bless.  America.

AUGUST

When planning this shoot, it didn’t seem physically impossible to fit three guys in one tub….and all my photo gear into a bathroom.  Trickier than we thought.  Thanks for being such sports, fellas.  Turns out, the toughest part was keeping Dan from finishing that burger before I took the pics.

Dan, Ed and Chris made the cover (this next image)!  We should have called them to announce it, like they do for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.  Thanks to Leigh Hays for letting us use her sweet purple bathroom!

SEPTEMBER

Oh, dear.  This shoot with George and my hubby Matt actually ended up being more tame than I thought it would be.  These guys are not known for their shyness.  I had to stop between each frame because I was laughing so hard, I couldn’t hold the camera still.  This calendar photo still makes me belly-laugh every time I look at it.

Nope, nothin’ crazy about this….

OCTOBER

Rene got the coveted Halloween month (also the month of his birthday).  I wasn’t sure that “mummy” and “sexy” and “funny” could go together, but Rene happily proves me wrong.

Though not in the calendar, here is my favorite from this shoot.  I dig the throwing action and mischievous expression.

Here’s another idea we had for October.  That’s our pal Chris Brown in his oh-so-creepy Rotzo costume that he made himself.  So talented.  In between shots, Chris and I were hanging out in the theater, when an unsuspecting young lady walked in.  She saw him, screamed, and ran out.  It was swell.

Sweet dreams…….

NOVEMBER

Not only does Matt deserve bravery points for the obvious reasons, but he also deserves recognition for the most harsh modeling conditions.  The AC wasn’t working (was in the high 90s outside).  It was painfully hot just standing still, then we made him lounge a few feet away from a fire.  I can’t confirm this, but I’d guess he had no hair left on the other side when we were done.

In case you’re not sure what to be thankful for this Thanksgiving…

DECEMBER

Kevin, I’m so sorry for the pain we caused you.  I’m sure all the smooching, groping, and attention will haunt you indefinitely.  Thanks to our snow wranglers and beautiful hand models Megan, Coop, and Hayley.

If you’re very, very good, maybe you’ll find this under your tree on December 25th.

Thanks so much to all my brilliant friends!  Please go check out all the shows at Dad’s Garage!!!  If you think these folks are hot, wait ’til you see how talented they are!

I do love a crazy portrait.  That’s why I perk up when my theater pals hire me to snap photos for their shows and projects.  Two of my favorite theater buds, Amber and Kevin, needed me to do just that.  They work over at Dad’s Garage, and they have an upcoming improv endeavor where their team will be called “Kill the Dog”.  Disclaimer:  They are both lovely people, and I don’t think either of them actually condones the murder of canines.  The name is a take on the popular screenwriting book, “Save the Cat”.

Don’t feel sorry for Amber when you see the shaving cream pics.  It was almost gonna be toothpaste.  I think she got off easy….this time.

The awesome folks at Georgia Shakespeare were kind enough to ask me to take some photos for their upcoming shows.  Here’s the way cool part.  They didn’t just want photos of scenes in costumes.  They wanted actual portraits of the actors and staff around the theater.  LOVE that!  Most of the people who work there and appear in these images are friends, so this was a truly sweet experience.  Oh, and if you’ve never been to a show at GA Shakes, you are missing something great.  Go check out their shows…you won’t be sorry.

Synchronicity Performance Group is currently running a powerful and beautiful show called “1:23“, written by Carson Kreitzer. Here’s the description from their website:

“Susan Smith, Andrea Yates, Juana Leija; once normal women, normal mothers. Now branded forever by their ability to commit the unthinkable crime. In Carson Kreitzer’s stunning drama, we peer into the defining moments of three broken lives through the eyes of the detectives charged with sifting through the shards while struggling to stay sane. Can the water that drowned their children ever wash these women clean?”

It’s running now through May 17th. Please go check it out! For info on tickets and such, please click HERE.

The folks at Synchronicity Performance Group have a lot going on right now. I recently posted about their show “Looking for the Pony“, and they’re also running a kids show called “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie“. Based on the book by Laura Joffee Numeroff, it’s a fast-paced, fun-filled tale of mischief.

The props are whimsical, the acting is high-energy, and there were lots of giggles from the little ones in the audience. Hooray! If you’re not a parent, you should quickly have some kids or borrow some, and go see this show.

The latest show by Synchronicity Performance Group to open at 7 Stages Theater is Andrea Lepcio’s “Looking for the Pony“. The story is centered around two sisters and the happiness and heartache they experience throughout their lives.

The cast includes Suehyla El-Attar, Jennifer Levinson (also known as Souper Jenny!), Stacy Melich, and John Benzinger.

The fabulous Synchronicity Performance Group hosted a cabaret fund raiser at one of my favorite venues, The Moulin Rouge Room at Paris on Ponce. The evening was a very entertaining mix of songs, dances, holiday themes, jokes, and some good old-fashioned naughty versus nice.

I loved their idea of auctioning off “table songs” sung to individual attendees. Man, there was a lot of talent in that room! Everyone seemed to be in a really giving spirit for a great cause. Everybody wins!

The other day, I shot some photos for Synchronicity Performance Group’s production of “The Snow Queen” at Actor’s Express. It’s based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, and has some really beautiful music/singing throughout. The sets, costumes, and performances are downright impressive, so if you’re in Atlanta between now and December 28th, you should totally check it out! For more information, click HERE. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good musical with evil queens, talking animals, tragedy, and the triumph of friendship? Git yerself on o’er there!

Recently, I photographed a fund-raising event for Synchronicity Performance Group. It was held at the stunning home of Lane and Clark Howard. For any non-Georgians or any cave-dwelling local folks who may not have heard of Clark Howard, he is a money management/saving guru. You should totally check out his site HERE. I keep browsing it to find tips on how to save money by eating only ice cream. Haven’t found that info yet, but my faith is strong.

There is a phrase I will continue to write on my blog, until every reader and their mamma listens to me……”Please support your local theaters and other arts organizations”. Thank you, and good night.