MONROE - A local photographer, who admits he struggles with asking random strangers to take their photo, turned the tables on himself and took center stage as the creepy focus in his latest project.
Jason Kessenich of AEPOC Photography in Monticello became Jason Voorhees, the fictional character from the "Friday the 13th" movie series, for a non-commercial photography project during October.
Because he didn't want people to get the wrong idea and become alarmed, Kessenich informed the Village of Monticello of his onsite locations, where he has dressed as Jason, "complete with custom hockey mask, overalls, the whole works." He expected to be holding a machete and an ax in some of the photographs.
Kessenich said he grew up watching the "Friday the 13th" slasher movie series, something his parents did not want him to see. Part of the intrigue for him, he said, was that his name is also Jason.
But now, at age 34, Kessenich's creative mind has wandered over to answer the "what if" of Jason's life or, more accuarately, his death.
"What spawned the project," Kessenich said, "was to do Jason with the mask and clothes doing everyday things."
To prepare for Project 13, Kessenich recently re-watched seven of the 12 "Friday the 13th" movies in one week. That was enough for him, he added.
Project 13 has two parts: the horrific scenes and the subtler scenes. Because Halloween was approaching, Kessenich decided to do the scariest scenes first.
The project will not appear in a gallery but, rather, on Kessenich's website and blog, aepoc.com, on and after Halloween.
Kessenich isn't just about photographing the macabre. In fact, he's better known for his hockey and band photos.
Kessenich grew up watching hockey also, but said he preferred to play soccer and football.
"Hockey was faster and more interesting (to watch)," he said.
In July, Kessenich reached out beyond his comfort level to record The Apollo Project, his collection of portraits of random strangers in front of an American flag in Montesian Park at Monticello's Homecoming.
Those portraits can also be seen on his website.
Jason Kessenich of AEPOC Photography in Monticello became Jason Voorhees, the fictional character from the "Friday the 13th" movie series, for a non-commercial photography project during October.
Because he didn't want people to get the wrong idea and become alarmed, Kessenich informed the Village of Monticello of his onsite locations, where he has dressed as Jason, "complete with custom hockey mask, overalls, the whole works." He expected to be holding a machete and an ax in some of the photographs.
Kessenich said he grew up watching the "Friday the 13th" slasher movie series, something his parents did not want him to see. Part of the intrigue for him, he said, was that his name is also Jason.
But now, at age 34, Kessenich's creative mind has wandered over to answer the "what if" of Jason's life or, more accuarately, his death.
"What spawned the project," Kessenich said, "was to do Jason with the mask and clothes doing everyday things."
To prepare for Project 13, Kessenich recently re-watched seven of the 12 "Friday the 13th" movies in one week. That was enough for him, he added.
Project 13 has two parts: the horrific scenes and the subtler scenes. Because Halloween was approaching, Kessenich decided to do the scariest scenes first.
The project will not appear in a gallery but, rather, on Kessenich's website and blog, aepoc.com, on and after Halloween.
Kessenich isn't just about photographing the macabre. In fact, he's better known for his hockey and band photos.
Kessenich grew up watching hockey also, but said he preferred to play soccer and football.
"Hockey was faster and more interesting (to watch)," he said.
In July, Kessenich reached out beyond his comfort level to record The Apollo Project, his collection of portraits of random strangers in front of an American flag in Montesian Park at Monticello's Homecoming.
Those portraits can also be seen on his website.