Used to be a hotel in the Catskills called the Grossinger. It was boarded up in the '50s.
Nowadays, security's light, and the decay of the place is breathtaking. A true time-capsule.
Perhaps I'm trivializing it here (as a too-elaborate set-piece), but man was it fun to shoot -- something creepy and surreal everywhere you look. Hopefully that shows through:
First...my standard intro to anyone "new" to me on this forum...
My comments or suggestions below are not a criticism of you, your model, your talent or skill. I offer them in a friendly tone of voice and with the sole intent to help you with a second POV and set of eyes. If you read sincere questions and simple suggestions as "criticism" of you, then you will miss how I am trying to help you.
Of course this may be your own "style" or your own "vision" and I suppose we can assume that the images look just like they do because that is exactly how you like them. That is OK too. It just shows that there are differences of "opinion" on what looks good. IF these are exactly what you want and like, then by all means continue making your images look like that and have fun doing it. As I always say: "Follow your own muse."
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Unusual settings (places) can make for unusual photos.
I generally like BW images.
I also enjoy seeing photos in a series, and particularly like to see how a human fits into a place.
However, in this case, while I looked at all the shots, I was struck by these thoughts:
1. "I have seen this kind of work so many times before."
2. "Looks like little effort was made to see the unusual, or make unusual photos of this unusual place."
3. "Girls(s) looks bored and seems to be just standing/sitting there for photo."
My Simple Suggestion: Go beyond not JUST the "no trespassing" signs, but also beyond what countless high school kids and college photography students have previously photographed at an abandoned building.
On second thought...obey the "no trespassing" signs.
But, find a way to express more of the place and more creative use of the humans in the place.
Honestly, the photos of the models don't stir me, but the site REALLY piques my interest. I'd love to see a layout of photos of the place. Very interesting.
That said, there are probably some interesting shots waiting to be taken there with models.
I think your timing is a bit off. My family used to go to Grossingers in the very early 60's and I believe my brother went there in the 70's, though it had changed quite a bit by then. It was quite an elegant place, tie and jacket required for dinners (even the kids) and sit down meals three times a day. I actually met Jackie Robinson there and shook his hand - they used to bring up celebrities to mix with the guests.
Grossingers was always considered the "family" resort - smaller and more intimate than The Concord which attracted bigger stars. Grossingers was the epitome of the borscht belt.
Grossingers is an amazing place, almost seems doing portraits there is a distraction from the real jewel which is the now run down hotel, alot of art can be made of that old place although thats not to say you shouldnt try portraits there, just maybe if your unfamiliar to them.
I think all of the criticism is a bit to sharp. These photos are not museum ready, but they hold a lot of promise. A great setting, a beautiful and willing model and a capable photographer. All that is missing is a story to tell.
#4 and #5 show real promise with the model becoming more involved in the environment.
What about your model having a martini in the chair in #8 or dressing your model in some 1950's era clothing and play out an elegant scene in the broken environment. It might be a little cliche, but it wold tie your model into the environment and tell some kind of story. Could be a story of heartbreak, or waiting on her lover, or the last one at the party.
Appreciate the suggestions. But in case it's relevant, maybe I should clarify: my friends (pictured) and I weren't there to make images. We went to explore. The shots are candid -- more FPJ (friend photo-journalism) than model-shoot.
That's not meant to defend the pics. Just to give a bit of additional context.
#2 and #5 are the best of the bunch.