Backdrop Makes the Dream Pop

One of the great challenges in creating our HHC covers is figuring out a way to put the characters in the scene.

My books have specific settings, many of which have greatly changed since the 1990’s. While I would love to fly to California, Hawaii, and all the other destinations that set the stage in our sixteen-book series, it’s not an option. The bigger issue is that some of our locations are pure fantasy.

I’m the luckiest author in the world because I’ve teamed up with a photographer who runs toward the impossible, instead of away from it. Every concept that I’ve hit Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography with has been met head on. Granted, he’s side-eyed me a few times with a look that makes me snicker. I’ve received several, “Yeah. . . I’ll just pull that rabbit out of my rear.” He never fails though.

We’ve gone to some odd lengths to get our background shots. From the VERY occasional AI, (because neither of us believe in it,) to finding objects, locations, and odd methods, we always get the job done.

My two favorite stories about creating backgrounds involve the back cover of Book Five, and the front cover of Book Six. (I know, I know. They’re unreleased, but sneak peeks are so much fun!)

The back of book five requires our characters Melanie Slate, Demitri Cantrell, and Trey Valdez to hunker on a massive rubble pile. We searched for rubble piles, construction sites, and general messes. We found some, but not like we needed. We decided to make our own, to Tino’s great chagrin. As he enthusiastically sledgehammered cinder blocks, a chunk of concrete caught my eye.

“Hey, wait a second.”

Tino gave me an aggravated look because my discovery was certain to spoil his demolition fun.

A closer look at the little palm size chunk of concrete revealed possibility. He set the concrete chunk down, aimed his camera, and fired. Magic! We had what we needed.

The second background magic example was created with a black posterboard, fake blood, and a clear container full of blood. We had a blast shooting that cover six background. Little known fact, Maddie Dawn Cordero who portrays Melanie Slate, is Tino Duvick’s assistant. She was there, managing the blood distribution. Tino, Maddie, and I had a marvelous time creating what will surely be an incredibly dark and mysterious setting.

Take a look at the creation of the background of cover 6.

Photo Credits:

Tino Duvick pictured in rock and cinder block photos.
Gala Trio studio and finished shots:

Models:

Maddie Dawn Cordero
Isaiah Romero Cordova
Daniel Ward

Behind the Scenes photographer:

Melissa Velasco

Professional finished product photo photographer:

Tino Duvick of Broken Chain

Blood Background Video:

Pictured assistant: Maddie Dawn Cordero
Pictured photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography
Behind the scenes videographer: Melissa Velasco