Nearly all of the subjects for my
artistic photographic work with the nude since 1975 have been women who
have never posed before for a professional photographer. I have seldom
found this lack of modeling experience to be a detriment to my
photography. Usually the willingness to just try the process of
modeling for and collaborating with me on ideas is sufficient to produce
some memorable images.
If you think you are
someone who would like to become a part of my artistic work you can
reach me by
telephone, e-mail, or regular postal mail. You need to be at least eighteen years of age
for any imagery
that contains nudity. I do sometimes work with models for clothed
portraiture only and for that you need
to be at least sixteen and have parental involvement. You should be
available to do the photography in
the Savannah area where I am based. I work alone with no assistants. I
ask each model to do her own
make-up and hair before a session. A
valid ID with proof of age is required. While I do exhibit and
possibly sell some of these images, I respect my models' privacy. I do
not disclose their personal
information to others. For example, I do not
give out their phone numbers to inquiring parties. When
some of their images appear on my website or in real world art galleries
or print publications with names
in the print title there is only a first name referenced. Sometimes a
pseudonym will be used if this is
discussed and agreed upon before any sessions are done or if I have
multiple models sharing a same
first name. Nearly all of
the women who have become models for me have not been interested in a
professional modeling career. But if you have aspirations in that
direction I can possibly offer portfolio development and provide
valuable camera time experience for you in exchange for your posing for
my fine art photography. And if you have a website or are
considering launching one I may be able to provide some content for that
in exchange for your modeling for me. For all women who pose for me, I
offer hand-printed photographs of your choice as compensation for your
modeling. I show you contact sheets of everything we shoot together and
let you select images you like. I next make 5" x 7" size prints for you.
In some instances I might provide 8" x 10" size prints with my embossed
seal on each. And in very
rare circumstances I may provide a signed and matted handcolored
photograph as compensation.
I work only with film and do all of the darkroom processing myself.
These photographs are similar to
the ones I provide to clients who hire me to photograph them. Their
monetary value can be seen on my
price list on the link on my To Hire Me page. Not all of the photography
I do with models is nude and therefore there are sometimes portraits and
other images which often utilize my array of vintage clothing
and accessories. And those would be available for you to select from as
well. Also, if you want to be
the model when I give a private instruction with one individual student
then the compensation is always
cash/check immediately paid to you at the conclusion of the class. I
only employ models who have
proven their consistent dependability for any of my private instruction
classes.
I generally prefer, when possible, to photograph a model for more than
just a single session. Ideally, I like to collaborate with someone
over a period of time and share an exchange of visual ideas. In
doing this a rapport develops and the resulting images seem to become
better over time. But it is always up to the model when she wants
to stop posing. I never pressure anybody to initially model or to
continue modeling for me. Yet it is quite true
that many women, having once tried it, find the experience very rewarding and
wish to continue with subsequent sessions. I can assure everyone that everything
is done in a strictly professional context. I have been photographing women since the early 1970s. My reputation as an artist and
professional for those four decades is impeccable and beyond reproach.
I nearly always conduct the first session with a new
model in my studio. I find it is less stressful on a
model than her posing for a first time on location. There have been
exceptions but that is my preference.
I play recorded music as we shoot and take breaks when the model wishes
to. A first session usually
lasts 2 to 3 hours. After a session I try to process the film and make
contact proof sheets within two
weeks. I then contact the model to arrange a time for her to view the
proofs. In the case of an out-of-town
person I will mail the sheets to her. Often, if the model is interested
in doing another session I will wait
and show her the proof sheets on the day of the next session and save
her an extra trip. The model views
the contacts and marks the individual shots she wants me to print as 5"
x 7" enlargements. Each 5x7 is
then individually printed by hand solely by me in my darkroom. This step
can take two to four weeks
depending on the number of prints selected and my work load at that
moment. I can conduct sessions any
day of the week and at all hours of the day and night. I have no regular
hours of operation. I function as
an artist so all the days and hours for me run into one. I meet with
people only by appointment and I
always keep every appointment I make.
I have been asked many times in recent decades
if a person having tattoos will disqualify her from becoming one of my models. It does not, although I make no apologies for admitting that I prefer models
to not have tattoos, at least blatant, obvious ones. My preference has nothing
whatsoever to do with the person herself. It has to do with the look and
atmosphere I am creating in my body of work. I often
strive for a timeless quality to much of my imagery. A tattoo appearing
in a photograph, just like a
telephone pole or modern car, allows associations with a period of time
that I generally am not
particularly interested in depicting. Visible tattoos would also make it
difficult or impossible to do any
handcoloring of an image. I have heard potential models tell me that I
can just "Photoshop out" their
tattoos. They obviously lack knowledge about my method of photography.
My answer is that I do
photograph some women with tattoos but I usually do so in a way that
does not reveal the tattoo(s)
when creating the image. It is in the posing angles or sometimes the
lighting and utilization of clothing.
I am working with film and making two-dimensional paper photographs by
hand from that original
film with liquid chemicals in a darkroom. Using Photoshop is not an
option. I understand the statements being made when a person has a
tattoo. And I would be the last person to categorize people based on whether or
not they have any tattoos. The paramount issue as an art photographer is will a
tattoo show and affect the overall atmosphere of the image I am creating. The
first model that I ever encountered with a tattoo posed for me in 1979. Since
then more and more women with tattoos have come into my life. There have been
instances when I was not able to successfully work around a model's tattoo(s). So I do prefer a model without tattoos as it makes the act of photographing
her much simpler. And body piercing is a similar story. But, having said that, I do accept
some models with tattoos
and piercings. It mainly depends on where they are and how many they
are. If you have too many blatant tattoos you can always hire me to
create photographs of you if you like my style of photography. The
resulting photographs would then be a private commission and not part of
my public work.
If you are traveling to the Savannah area and only have a
limited time to perhaps do just one session that may be acceptable in some
cases and I would definitely not discourage you from contacting me about
modeling
if you want to do so. Just contact me and let me know your available times and
the approximate duration of your stay in this vicinity. We can then discuss
your modeling for me from that point.
Posing for me can be an opportunity for you to create an
artistic form of self-expression while you are
young and perhaps in the prime of your life. The work may possibly
outlast your great-great-great
grandchildren. Many women for decades have posed for me with
wonderful results and memories.
Very rarely someone from the past approaches me demanding that now
restrictions be placed on the
work we did long ago. This is not possible nor appreciated.
Although I may make it look easy, there is
a lot of time, money, and effort that goes into every session I do with
any model. There is pre-session,
actual session, and post session work. As a visual artist I create
photographic works with the intention
that the public will eventually view them and hopefully appreciate them.
If you like my photography and wish to obtain nude
photographs or portraits of yourself but do not wish
to become part of my public body of art then avail yourself of my
private commission service and hire
me to photograph you as a client rather than as a model. By doing that
you pay me for the prints and
I give you a signed Confidentiality Agreement. Models sign model
releases and clients do not. I welcome
all interested people who wish to be one of my models. It
can be a fun, memorable, unique, rewarding
experience for any woman. I have heard back from many former
models over the years who tell
me that modeling for me was one of the best experiences of their life.
If you would like to ask questions or make an appointment to
meet me at my studio in Savannah to discuss possibly becoming one of my models
please use one of the methods of contact below. |