Since early last May, I like to begin each week by publishing an interview with a different stock provider for two reasons. The first is to help you get to better know the people that produce the stock you use in your artwork. The second reason is because stockers can often inspire one another, and I want this to be an opportunity to hopefully inspire you!

This week's stock interviewee is Edana Rose, the owner of *LadyEdanaStock.



Edana has been offering stock at deviantART from the United States since May of 2006. One of the first things I noticed about this Deviant was her collection of couples stock photos, which is among the most romantic that I've seen available at this site. I also learned that she makes costumes for shooting her stock photos.

Despite having been a recent victim of theft when her car was stolen, she shows a lot of love for other artists with more than just her free stock photos. (Not to worry, the police recovered her car with most of its contents.) Examples of Edana's generousity are evident by her donation of 25 cents each time anyone uses one of her model stock in a deviation and 50% of the price paid for each of her exclusive stock packs to $Moonbeam13's Weekend To End Breast Cancer. (Which is to take place September 7-9th, 2007.) She also features artwork, other people's stock, and contests in her journal.

Edana quickly granted my request for an interview with what seems to be a natural warmth in her personality. She was eager to mention others that have inspired her, while being almost reluctant to sing her own praises. Please read on, and get acquainted with a lovely deviant that seems genuinely invested in supporting deviantART's community spirit.

1. What inspired you to start offering stock?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well when I first started doing manipulations I came across some very awesome stockers (~textureific, *AttempteStock, and =Elandria) I fell in love with what they were doing and since I like to be "snap-happy", I thought I would share some of my unused, but still useful, photos. I've now started doing dedicated work to each art and stock.

2. At which account do you spend more of your time: Your art account, =LadyEdana or your stock account, *LadyEdanaStock?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well I try to spend equal time, and you will often see me jumping between. But for uploads it really depends on where my muse is at the time. There have been dead times in both, although I try to keep it limited.

3. You have some fantastic costumes in your model stock. Where do you get your costumes?

*LadyEdanaStock: I've picked up/made a few bits and pieces for Halloween stuff ie:cloak (and I've just always wanted one) and medieval men's clothing. Some things were just lying around from previous weddings and such ie: (believe it or not) the Black and Purple Medieval/Gothic Countess Dress, the white wedding dress (no stock currently up with it); I've been collecting swords, and of course the good ol' sheet.

4. Speaking of costumes, your journal says that you participate in costume exchanges with other stockers around dA. How does that work?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well I haven't actually gotten my first costumes yet. But most of the participating stock artists will have something in their journal about it and how they want to be notified. Usually it's just to let them know what you wish to borrow and what you have to offer in exchange. Sometimes you have to wait a bit if it's out of the country especially. But I'm sure it will be worth it. I'm waiting on acouple items from =Gracies-Stock, they will be a suprise.

5. Your journal states that you want more costumes for model stock. What kinds of costumes do you want to photograph most?

*LadyEdanaStock: My eye is currently on a Italian Rennesiance dress. I've always loved the dresses from that time period, even more so then I do the simplicity of the medieval ones. But I would love to be able to provide a variety of era type stock in adition to fantasy based stock.

If I can get the dress finished that was started with the cloak (I messed up a little on cutting it out , don't trust me with the sewing ) I hope to be able to do some Lady of the Lake/Morganna (Mysts of Avalon style ) series.

6. You and your husband pose together for some of your stock photos. How did you convince him to put on costumes and pose with you for stock?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well it was short lived. I shall have to be sneaky and get him to do it again. The ill-fated photo shoot [at] the end of April (some heard, even few saw, of the sad results) ended in a bit of a fight and he said he wouldn't do it again.

But thanks to *RLDStock we've gotten him a little bit closer.... he was in the room for the last shoot. Maybe by fall you guys will see his cute baby-face in some more stock.

7. How do you get your other models to pose for your stock gallery?

*LadyEdanaStock: I've had a few models (some of which are saddly no longer there because of misunderstanding and pride) who were eager to join me and dance in front of the camera. My little sister sends her reguards and misses being turned into fairies. Others have had to be coaxed... especially into the *cough*Dress*cough* Toga. But they enjoyed doing it once it got rolling.

8. What kind of planning goes into such photo shoots?

*LadyEdanaStock: Planning?

*ring* Hello?
> Wanna do a shoot in 15 min?
> Yeah Sure, let me just throw random stuff in the car, we'll see what we end up with when I get there.

lol Ok... Maybe it didn't quite go like that, especially since she lives 2 hours from me. But if she lived closer it probably would go like that.

We started a week or two in advance with just knowing we wanted to do it. I got a weekend I wasn't doing a parade, so I conviced the hubby to make a weekend trip down there. (I got him with the piano in our bedroom. ) Since I had only just gotten the car back it was the "we'll see what we end up with" because I hadn't finished making an inventory of my stuff.

This next week will be much better, I know where my "lamps" are, we've got new bulbs we've got semi-replacement sheets for the stolen ones, we have a decent sized area for doing the shoot (aka: my grandparents' basement, send them lots of love for letting us), only thing is I'm probably going to be the only model...

We advertised in journals and/or the stock forum for suggestions and requests, and are taking my To Do list. And we shall see how it turns out.

9. Which do you prefer: Being in front of the camera or behind the camera?

*LadyEdanaStock: I made reference to that I'm torn. I don't like being in front of crowds, so this is my 15 min of fame I guess... But I also like being in charge of my camera. That way I know I have the model (me or who ever) framed perfectly, and the focus is right (lost some to that too ). So no matter what, I'm jumping back and forth. I think I prefer being behind [the camera], if it really comes down to it.

10. Other than people, what is your favorite subject to shoot for stock?

*LadyEdanaStock: For Stock??? Hmm.... According to my fequently used categories its locations and objects... I like getting nature locations, especially up in the mountains. But I want to take a trip to the south this summer or fall, so you might get some Red Rock/Arches stock sometime in the nearish future. And I love taking pictures of weird things I find like the African Masks or the Corinth Helmet. Luckily I get lots of those things at work... Unluckily I can't use MY camera, so the weird ones will usually always be lesser resolution.

11. Which of your stock photos has been used the most?

*LadyEdanaStock:

It's probably the Frame, followed closely by


"How Much Do You Love Me?" thanks to it's DD. But I think the Frame has still been used more times.

12. What's the difference between your general stock and your exclusive stock?

*LadyEdanaStock: For the most part, there aren't any special rules for [my] exclusive stock other than [buyers] automatically get commercial/off-site privilages if they purchase it. I'm actually pretty lienient with the rules as long as I'm respected. But there are some things I do not want my face being accociated with, such as hate art. And I still want to be credited. But for the most part as long as I'm notified IN ADVANCE I'm fine with prints and such.

As far as determining what is exclusive, usually it's either a pose or something special about the image, a feeling. Either that or I'm doing a section of a shoot specifically for exclusives. "How Much Do You Love Me?" was almost an exclusive image. But I decided I would share that special moment with the world.

13. Almost every stock provider has rules of use for people that use their stock art. Which of your rules do you think is the most important one?

*LadyEdanaStock: For me, it's letting me know and crediting. I think those are essential both for being respectful, and for helping the community to grow. If I never know who uses my stock, that is someone I may miss out on getting to know. And if there is no credit given, someone who likes my work may never find me.

14. What other stock producers around deviantART inspire you?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well there [are] the 3 mentioned at the top (points up).


*Della-Stock is one with a great variety.


Even though they've not been providing long, *Iardacil-stock has creativity and a great following.


~fae-stock is always coming up with great poses and props, and she's supportive of other people.


I want to switch [places with] *CausticStock... I want to be able to provide lovely castle stock.


*lindowyn-stock has got a great set up, awesome costumes, and a whole miriad of models to work with. You lucky girl!

To All!!

15. What are your favorite features at deviantART for keeping your stock here?

*LadyEdanaStock: I like that they don't take the control from us. [At] most stock sites once you submit it, it's free reign. dA requires stock to be credited. I like that.

16. Which images that have been created with your stock make you most proud to be a stocker?

*LadyEdanaStock:
by *AvalonSky
It captures the feeling within the stock piece SO well, and looks so natural.

by ~m1o6d
I love the simplicity of this piece that conveys the innocense so prevalent within the model.

by ~Xaphalys
It's great to be able to inspire people to begin manipulations and do it so well.

by ~jesuisautre
It's just so colorful and vibrant.

by *Iardacil
Yet another I have inspired to begin, and she's come so far. I love watching people's progress.

17. If someone was thinking of starting a new stock gallery of their own at deviantART, what advice would you give them?

*LadyEdanaStock: Lighting is key. You can have a crappy camera and the lighting will make it usable. You can have a good camera and the lighting can make it almost unusable. ie: Never mix light type especially Flourescent and Incandescent.

Know your camera. (Up until April I was using a Nikon CoolPix L4, the begining of April I got a Canon Digital Rebel XT.) [Knowing] one little thing [about your camera] can take your pictures, whether stock or art, to the next level.

18. What do you think is the most difficult challenge for stock providers?

*LadyEdanaStock: Making manipulators and artists happy. They are so varied, and I can understand their frustration when they have the inspiration for a beautiful image and the lack of a single stock piece fitting perfectly can completely ruin it.

19. What will we see in your gallery next?

*LadyEdanaStock: Well I'm still uploading from the last shoot with *RLDStock... But I'm hoping to go to the zoo tomorrow (6/23), and I have another shoot with *RLDStock next week. Hopefully we shall have a suprise for everyone too

20. What else should we know about you?

*LadyEdanaStock: Hmmm.... That's a toughy... Well... Hopefully this fall my husband will be getting an Active Reservist job, which will enable me to go part time for the company I work with and be able to focus more time on starting my photography business. So if you are in the area, I do all sorts of work.

There just isn't space to mention everyone *sighs* You know I love you guys.

Thanks so much for allowing me to interview you!

_{Previous Interviews:
20 Questions with Cookiekitty-Stock (June 18, 2007)
20 Questions with Hanratty-Stock (June 11, 2007)
20 Questions with Resurgere (June 4, 2007)
20 Questions with LDD-Stock (May 17, 2007)
20 Questions with Markopolio-Stock (May 14, 2007)
20 Questions with Gracies-Stock (May 7, 2007)
20 Questions with AlinePotter-stock (May 3, 2007)}