Last weekend was dead at the Museum of Unnatural History on 14th St. NW, and by dead I mean full of naturally deceased animals ready to be properly preserved. Jennifer Hall, the manager of Los Angeles's Prey Taxidermy was in town with Allis Markham, founder of Prey, to teach a class called Birds 101. I got the chance to photograph Hall and her favorite stuffed porcupine Spike, for the Washington Post Express. You can check out the feature HERE.
How does one become a taxidermist? Hall has a background in both art and geology, with a degree in each from the University of Pennsylvania. When she moved to L.A., she took one of Prey's introductory taxidermy classes. She stumbled upon the intersection of her interests, and quickly became part of the studio. She views the trade as an opportunity to make art out of an animal that was dead for a reason, an extension of the natural life process.
It was great fun photographing her and Spike ("get cheek to cheek, he won't bite!"), and you can check out a few of my favorite shots below. Happy Monday!
