MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NO DISABILITY FOR WINNIPEG PINUP GIRL
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and photographing a truly INSPIRING WOMAN. Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl is all about my experience with this Positive Minded Gal, who wouldn't let MS curtail her life. I'm going to showcase images from 3 separate sessions as well as report this woman's story as how it was told to me. Let me introduce the STAR of the SHOW... Elyse Kroeis. Her "Pinup Name" is MISS VINTAGE VANGUAR!
First Set: * PEPSI PINUP GIRL *
(Session photographed outdoors in the Winnipeg Exchange District. Studio strobes were incorporated as well as the ambient light. Outfit and props contributed by Elyse and my studio. Set was PUBLISHED in Bombshell Betties Magazine.)
In a very simplified explanation regarding MS: Our body's nervous system is like a set of electrical wires attached to the brain. Normal wires have a sheath/covering to protect the wire for smooth transmission of the electrical signals. Similarly, the human nerves also have a protective coating. Multiple Sclerosis can cause this protective coating to breakdown, causing the brain's electrical signals to become inoperative or less efficient. (Explanation from CNN Medical Doctor). There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatments attempt to improve function after an attack and prevent new attacks. (per Wikipedia)
This Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl posting is all about Elyse, who is now 33 years old. She was diagnosed with MS back in about 2012. At that time she was experiencing headaches, bladder pain, and becoming tired more easily. One evening she was at home when suddenly one eye became blurry and then could only see grey. The next day she went to the hospital, and after a series of tests she was informed that she had a form of MS called Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
Elyse told me that after her diagnosis she went to the bathroom, locked the door and laid on floor and cried. She told herself, "I will cry for 10 minutes and grieve". She then got up off floor and told herself. "If I can’t have my old life, then I can make a new life that was going to be better". It was a long road – and it didn’t happen all at once. She had to first get her physical health better then work on the mental attitude. Elyse said, "I have always been a positive person – my general approach to life helped me through this".
Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl
Winnipeg Pinup Gal - Elyse K. (Miss Vintage Vanguar) had her Pepsi Pinup session Published in Bombshell Betties Magazine. This included the Centerfold and Back Cover. Elyse was diagnosed with MS back in about 2012, but due to her Positive Outlook on life and Sheer Determination - she has become a PUBLISHED PINUP MODEL.
2nd Set: * MOVIE THEATRE PINUP LINGERIE GIRL *
(This session was photographed inside my Winnipeg studio. I used a pair of vintage theatre seats and created a fictional Movie Theatre Set. Props from my studio. This session was Published in the U.K. based Pinup Publication - Bombshell Magazine).
In this Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl posting. Elyse told me that she received some medication to help with symptoms for her eye issue but she still had states of denial - dealing with such life altering news. She said she even thought it would pass. Her next move was to research different remedies including holistic options. She was in a full MS episode at this time. Doctors wanted to give her MS medications. She found herself an excellent MS doctor. She was now getting an MS check-up every 6 months which included an MRI. Elyse changed her lifestyle habits to improve energy levels (used to eat lots of fast food). Started eating vegetables and home cooked meals. Lost some weight. Began to add Vitamin D and Cranberry capsules - (good for bladder) to her regiment as well as exercise.
Elyse's love of Vintage Styles was born during this difficult time. As she could not work, she spent time at home watching Old Movies. Saw actresses such as Betty Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, and Joan Crawford. They were all strong minded dynamic women who charted their own path and were successful. "I drew my strength from these women, she said. "That’s where my love of the vintage styles came from". Elyse commented. "I began rebuilding my life through these women who were strong role models. It helped me forge on and improve my mental outlook", Elyse reported. She taught herself to do vintage hairstyles which also improved her muscle coordination. "I began to look good and to feel good". She still only had the use of one eye, but learned both vintage hairstyling and how to apply makeup.
Third Set: * 1950s MOVIE STAR ATTENDS MOVIE PREMIERE *
(This set was photographed in 2 locations. First Location: Outdoors in front of the famed Burton Cummings Theatre. Second location was in my Winnipeg Studio. The CONCEPT was to have Elyse PORTRAY ONE OF THESE "STRONG" VINTAGE ACTRESSES that were so influential to her recovery. She was coming to her Big Movie Premiere. I photographed her arriving at the Premiere - and then inside. All props including theatre stanchions were provided by my studio)
Note: My only regret was not being able to have my 1950 Dodge ready to be used for this shoot. I needed a vehicle for a couple of shots and just had to use a modern one. I will defer to Artistic Licence.
Elyse mentioned that at part of the Vintage Theme, she discovered the Pinup Genre. To her it looked like a fun and exciting lifestyle/appearance. She started purchasing a few vintage clothes and accessories. A couple of years ago she entered her first Pinup Pageant held in Winnipeg. Elyse stated that she didn't enter with a mindset to win – but it was more for the uplifting and liberating experience. "I found my community", said Elyse. A place with other Vintage Lovers. It gave her confidence. She wanted to explore this experience even further by collaborating with photographers, to express her love for the pinup style. All part of her experiences in this Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl posting.
Elyse told me that it was her love for the vintage style that began the journey to get her through such a dark time. "It helped me conquer my demons and overcome my obstacles", she said. She was taking her life back FROM MS. Elyse commented, "IT'S NOT GOING TO STEAL ANYTHING FROM ME. I'm going to be the wonderful person I was meant to be".
Vintage Hollywood Premiere
Elyse was diagnosed with MS around 2012. She credits being influenced by strong women from the vintage movies such as Betty Davis - Barbara Stanwyck - Joan Crawford who gave her the resolve to forge ahead and defy Multiple Sclerosis. This video is a snippet from the shoot we did where she plays a vintage Hollywood actress going to her own movie premiere.
Q. How did you feel about being published in a pinup magazine?
A. "I didn’t do it to be famous. When it happened, it was a GREAT DAY, because I am BEATING MS. I can live out different vintage fantasies. When I found out I was published for the first time I was in complete shock and in tears. Knowing all the things I went through to get to this point, I was able to make myself into someone I could be proud of".
"The best thing that ever happened to me was getting MS. Of course I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but for me it changed me for the better - I now have healthy life habits. It gave me a chance to know myself as a person and to take stock of my life. I got to work on myself".
Note: The next several images were all photographed in the afternoon sun. I decided to experiment with my editing and created some NIGHT TIME IMAGES. A variety of extra elements were added to create a Fabulous Vintage Hollywood Premiere feel.
Elyse mentioned that she also suffers from anxiety as well. She said, "I would like other people to be able to take some comfort and inspiration from my own story. Hopefully I can be a POSITIVE INFLUENCE for anyone with MS or other Mental Health issues. You can take control of your life and make it better". Elyse commented that she hopes people living with MS or Mental Health Issues can find something or someone to lean on and create a positive influence in their own lives - just like the vintage movie actresses gave to her.
Note: Next few images were in the studio where this Vintage Hollywood Actress was seated to watch her own Movie Premiere.
As an update - Elyse continues to do well and monitors her lifestyle habits to deal with Multiple Sclerosis. Her most recent exam showed her to be physically well. Next exam in a year. Elyse said, "I am one of the lucky ones with MS. I have been able to maintain a positive outlook on life and am grateful for the support I have received from everyone".
The above 2 images were created to add some humour to the shoot. We showed the classy side to a vintage Hollywood Starlet. I also wanted to capture a few images "at the end of the night" so to speak, when the actress was just plain tired and hungry. As a side note: The food were faux props.
That concludes the Multiple Sclerosis No Disability For Winnipeg Pinup Girl blog posting. I hope you had as much enjoyment reading it - as I did interviewing Elyse and creating these images. It was such an uplifting experience for me personally to listen to Elyse's story and watch her perform so professionally in her three photoshoots with me.
If you are looking for your own confidence boost - Check out some of these other amazing sessions in my blog: LINK_1