Dear Potential Models,

Let's get together, take some photos, have fun, enhance our portfolios and create some gorgeous art. 

I am seeking models of all experience levels, body types, attitudes, appearances, and life-paths.  I understand that some models have little to no experience.  That doesn't concern me.  I am more interested in a model's sense of presence, aptitudes, goals and our ability to create art together.

Current themes that interest me are:
    Tattoos
    Piercings
    Cosplayers as well as other people in elaborate costumes
    Historical reenactments
    Body Painting
    Alternative lifestyles
    People with their unique pets
    Fringe groups
    Intimate photography
    Pin-up photography
   
My artistic photographic ventures are joint projects with my models.  If you have ideas or goals that you want to reach during our photo shoot, I want to hear about them.  If your goal is mainstream commercial modeling, we can specifically work toward rounding out your portfolio.  It's okay if you aren't sure what you want to accomplish during our photo shoot.  I'll share my ideas with you.  Let's just get a conversation started and we'll see where we go with it..  The magic of art happens when our ideas merge and we realize our vision together.  My goal is for both of us to get our needs met during the shoot. 

I want to take on photographic projects that challenge me to examine myself.  My artistic horizons are forever expanding and I am always searching my world for what is new, different, challenging, fascinating, bothersome, beautiful, blissful, blasphemous, thrilling, confusing and mystifying.  As you are viewing my web photo galleries, please don't limit your perspective to what I have done in the past.  If you are looking for themes similar to my past work, that's great and I am happy to help you to build your portfolio by doing that type of work with you but I don't want to stop there.  Let's come up with scenes, situations, concepts, themes, locations and goals together that are new to both of us.

There are some logistical things that I need to make clear up front.  Please don't think of the upcoming information as being grumpy or demanding.  From a huge amount of experience, I have learned that these are the things that my models must know before considering working with me on artistic ventures.  In exchange for my direct communication, I need perfect honesty and clarity from you. 

I need to see a photo I.D. that includes your age before I take any photos of you.  There are no exceptions, regardless of how old you look.  If you show up to a shoot without a Photo I.D., I will not photograph you.  I am sincerely sorry but that is just the way the legal environment is leaning in our culture. If my model is under 18, I need to see the I.D. of their parent or guardian.  The parent or guardian must stay with us during the entire photo shoot.

I am happy to photograph kids in artistic ventures but I am particularly careful about any photo project involving children.  I will not photograph kids in any situation that isn't perfectly innocent.  I won't photograph kids in child beauty pageant situations, glam shots, kids wearing cosmetics, etc.

If we decide to work together on a photographic project,  please take that very seriously.  My time is precious as is yours.  If we schedule something, you need to be prepared and show up without scheduling drama.  I will extend the same courtesy to you.  If you are not sure if you are ready to schedule, then please wait and come back to me when you are ready.  I've been a photographer for 25 years and I will continue for decades to come.  I will be here when you are ready to come back and work with me. 

Please take the time to get yourself ready for our shoot.  If you need to dye your hair roots, shave your legs, get a hair cut, take off nail polish and such; please do it before our shoot.  That type of thing may not apply to our shoot but if it does, please take care of it well in advance of our time together.  I have had situations where I have worked for months to plan a shoot with a model who is attempting to create a professional model's portfolio and then they show up apologizing for not being able to get their roots dyed before the shoot.  I've also had models sit in my studio taking off nail polish while I wait for them to start our work.  I don't like to wait any more than anyone else does.  I will get my stuff together and be ready for you and I ask that you do the same for me.

Art takes time.  We will discuss how much time we need for our specific project but in general, allow for at least two or three hours for our shoot.

There are photographers who take advantage of models.  I am not one of them.   I DO NOT have physical relationships with my models.  I have a respectful perspective and that shows in my work.  My intimate photo gallery would bee the best place to see examples of that.  I have often been told by models after our shoots that they were amazed at how comfortable they were in front of my camera.  I have told every model I have ever worked with that they should not do anything in front of my camera that they may regret later.  My relationship with my models is based on honesty, clarity and mutual goals.  You are welcome to bring a chaperone to our shoots and I may choose to do the same.

I will trade my time as a photographer for your time as a model.  After the shoot, I will give a copy of the digital images to you.  I will not watermark your copy of the images.  The rights to the those photographs are shared equally between us.  No money will change hands.

If you want me to shoot traditional senior pictures, family photos, pet photos and the like; I would be happy to do that for you on a commercial basis.  Please refer to my pricing information.  My work with models on artistic ventures is very different than my traditional commercial photography.

Email me if you want to discuss working together.  Please don't be shy about it.  If you are not sure if you should approach me or are not sure if you are the "type of model" I would want to work with, please send me an email and we can discuss it.  Neither one of us has anything to lose by exchanging a few emails.  I will not be offended in the slightest if we communicate for a while and then you decide we are not a good match.  Every venture has to start somewhere so let's talk.