The Tell

January 1, 2026

Autumn in a red dress and scarf with playing cards falling around her, on the January 2026 cover of Madrona

Different worlds, each in the same room on the same afternoon.

It’s not just about dress changes and changing props, but also about the background gobo and the lighting. Sometimes it’s about throwing cards in the air over and over again.

Autumn in a black beaded dress and white fur at a green card table, chips and cards in front of her, a window shape thrown on the wall behind — The card table.

Green baize, chips, and a window shape thrown on the wall. You are suddenly thrown into a Casino like setting.

Close portrait of Autumn in a red dress holding three playing cards in front of her face — Three cards, close.

A red dress, and an expression, and a story centers around a card decision.

Autumn in a red dress holding a large black feather fan against a softly mottled ground — The black fan.

A change of props tells a different story.

Autumn seated in a grey armchair draped with white fur, a large soft shape lit on the backdrop behind — The armchair.

One big soft heart shape lit onto the backdrop, white fur over a grey chair. Far away the card table, but the same room.

Autumn in a black strapless dress with black fur, hard slatted shadows across the wall behind her — Blinds.

Hard slats to finish these examples. Straight edges that add mood, and a pose that works well with the dress and accessories.

Also from this sitting

More images from the same shoot including black & white at J.Me Photo LLC Website.

Autumn holding a large white feather fan beside her face

Autumn in a black dress in soft haze, looking away from the camera

Black and white frame of Autumn seated in the fur-draped armchair

Credits

Subject — Autumn

Photographed by — J.Me Photo LLC