Observations beyond the frame of the camera
When you shoot beautiful women for a living you tend to look at the world through rose colored Canon L series lenses. We have all heard of thinking outside the box and for me at times I have to reflect outside the frame of the image. I get so caught up in my imagery that often I fail to realize even the simplest of observations. So with no further adieu here are my truths that the road has taught me.
1. People like breasts! Oh go ahead and laugh but it is true. Put 10 images up, all magnificent in detail and if one of em has a naked breast by golly that will be the one people notice first and click on to view. Big breasts, small breasts, fake ones, natural ones, man they dont care just show em a boob and they salivate. Oh and dont buy into that natural breast are best BS, cause there are guys who live in million dollar mansions bought with the money women spend on getting augmentations. If you ever watched Dr 90210 it will make you gag from our insecurities of our bodies and in particular our breasts. Dont believe me? Go ahead and post ten pics of yourself (if your'e a woman lol), 9 with clothes on and 1 with your breasts exposed and see which one has the most hits.
2. Get a deposit. Nothing cuts through the mustard faster then when someone puts hard earned cash down on an appointment. I can count on 1 finger the number of cancellations I have had when someone put a deposit down on their appointment. There is a reason why hotels require a credit card and airlines have a non cancellation policy. Then again notice the rate of no-shows or late cancels with a TFP (time for print) arrangement. One's point of view changes dramatically when your money is on the line. Why does the phrase money talks and BS walks suddently enter my mind?
3. Beautiful women need love too. Most models I have worked with are very insecure. You would think they would be this bubble of confidence but that is actually the rarity. Whether they were an ugly duckling as a child or never had their parents show them the love they so desperately wanted, these girls need stroking today. My heart goes out to them for being these delicate beautiful flowers that need the bees to show them the attention they crave. God's cruelest joke on all of us is that our youth and beauty is wasted before we can truly appreciate it. Looking in the mirror today and seeing the lines that time has wrought, it is a grim reminder of how quickly time passes. I get it today, I didnt yesterday and that is why I always tell girls how beautiful they truly are. As a side note why do you lose hair on the top of your head and yet it starts to grow on your ears as you age? God will have some explaining to do on that one, lol!
4. If you are in it for the money you will burn out quickly. If there isnt passion in anything you do it is temporary at best. I once heard a wise man tell me that if you find what you are passionate about you will find success. For me, photography is my soul and each month that I struggle to pay the bills I am reminded so vividly of why I persue this vocation. That anyone out there appreciates what I create is a bonus but not why I do this. Every picture in my port is a seperate story unto itself. A relationship between two people creating one image that will always stand for a moment in time that others can share in. These collaborations are truly gifts given with the hope that the viewers will enjoy them for perhaps an eternity. Let me know when you find something that is as rewarding as that?
5. Tears cut deeper then knives. I would rather a woman hit me then cry in front of me. Knowing that I have made anyone cry is my greatest sin and one which I strive to remedy everyday after. Ever notice someone in public crying? Look around and see how others react to them. They try and act like they dont see them. Come on we have all been there. When was the last time you cried? I mean the deep sobbing kind. The kind where you hardly can catch your breath. So you know what they are going through. How hard is it to go up to them and say its ok, and give them a hug. Screw the fact that you may not know them what harm does it do to show you care? How much better would the world be if we just showed some compassion to our fellow man.
6. Everyone is Rambo on the internet and behind the wheel of a car. Why is it that everyone is a tuff guy when they are behind the protective confines of their car or their computer. Little old ladies flipping you off when they pass you on the highway or 105 pound models telling you they will kick yo butt in a chat room is really kind of comical. I mean think about it. When was the last time someone bumped into you walking on the street and said watch where you are going asshole! The reality is there is a lot of pent up frustrations going on and these safe environments allow people to say what they really think without the consequence of actually having to back it up.
7. Do an act of kindness a day. The other day my mom was going through a toll booth when the attendant told her the guy in the car in front of her had paid her fee as an act of kindness towards someone they didnt even know. How cool was that? I thought to myself how much better the world would be if each of us did something like that for others? So today when you go out, try and do something along those lines for another person and see how rewarding the day will be for you. Pass it forward and you never will regret yesterday.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings and if you liked them feel free to pass them forward to others and perhaps tomorrow will be better for all of us.
G
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Beyond the frame
6 min read
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So you want to be a model?
7 min read
In the glamorous world of modeling it is often thought that being a model is about just being pretty. Put on some lipstick and smile in front of the camera and at the end of the shoot pick up a check for being heavenly blessed with great genes. In actuality, to succeed in the increasing competitive world of modeling it takes a commitment and resolve that few professions entail. Because of the internet, more girls are looking to make their mark on the modeling profession then at any other time. This saturation of neophyte models has produced more then a competitive field for all to wrestle with. It has created a market whereas girls will do anything to get ahead, including work for free in an effort to get a tearsheet. Gone are the days of million dollar contracts and six figure gigs for commercial clients. More and more magazines and designers are looking for the next fresh face and realize you can get her on the cheap. If they want instant credibility, they look for the celebrity who has the exposure on Entertainment Tonight who can reach the masses. In an effort to cut their overhead they realize that saving money on the models shown within their tabloid is an efficient way of reallocating funds to other areas of value. Additionally, more and more magazines are turning to online magazine outlets. Consequently the realization is that the cost in producing such media for the public is far cheaper and quicker then any printed material and hence the attraction. In essence the combination of a greater supply (models) and less demand (printed material) results in a career that is tenuous at best. If a girl wants to enhance her chances of success an understanding of the commitment necessary is a prerequisite in today’s demanding field.
1) Building a portfolio. This is a business of who you work with. As a photographer I provide a product (images) for models to build a portfolio in an effort to attract potential clients. Models provide a service. A service that enables the creation of images. As I mention to models many times, photographers are not relegated to shooting gorgeous people for their profession. Animals, landscapes, and products are all lucrative subjects that they can turn to. While models have the opportunity for live promotional events, the sad truth is without a photographer they (models) wouldn’t exist. Therefore, the scales are tilted heavily towards the photographers in the balance of the relationship between the two. Additionally the average modeling career is less then 4 years compared to the tenure of being a professional photographer that can span 10-30 years. Due to this, the odds are far greater that a photographer has built up a client base and reputation over the years that can benefit all those who shoot with him. In essence, in this business you are who you work with and photographers have far more leverage in that end of the equation. Wise new models realize this and target those photographers who can increase their exposure as well as produce the best product (images) for their portfolios. Even if they have to pay those photographers to work with them in the long run this investment in their career will payoff.
2) Practice makes perfect. Professional athletes spend a lifetime perfecting form and technique for the opportunity of game day. They watch video, memorize plays, and go over scouting reports of the opposition before they ever take the field. Truth is they spend far more time in preparation of the event then they ever do during the event. My question to models often is how often do you practice? When they look at me with puzzled expressions, I explain simply, how often do you practice your posing? A professional model is a choreographed joy to watch. Moving from one pose to the next with the fluidity of any ballet star. They understand their best features and the element of lighting and pose accordingly. You could of course develop this over time but that makes as much sense as Barry Bonds waiting for the actual game to take batting practice. You must be prepared for the big event when it calls. Create a pose file of images you can reference and practice everyday of making the transition of one pose to the next while observing yourself in the mirror. Research makeup techniques and fashion trends. Try and build a wardrobe of clothing that you can bring with you in the event that you need them for any shoot. Of course you can spend a fortune on clothes but smart models find them within a budget at second hand stores and Ebay.
3) Toto we’re not in Kansas anymore! If you don’t like to travel this is the wrong profession for you. Even if you live in a thriving metropolis like New York or Paris, you will still have to travel. If you live in a state that has more cows then people then you will be on the road all the time. Dealing with airports, subways, taxis and finding studios in towns you have never been to is very common place. A GPS is perhaps the wisest investment you can ever procure unless you have a merit badge in map reading. If you are on a budget, and who isn’t these days, learning to network and finding people within the industry who will allow you to stay with them is the only way to make ends meat. Which means unless you have an uncle in every town, it is a wise idea to get on the internet and network the heck out of developing contacts. I often joke that the biggest advantage to my height is I can sleep very comfortably on a couch! Not exactly the glamorous lifestyle it seems is it?
4) Being Realistic. I often hear height challenged models complain that the industry isn’t fair in allowing them the chance to be on the cover of Vogue. I liken this to the 5 foot 7 150 pound guy who complains to the coach that he really wants to play middle linebacker and has the desire and ability to do so. He further quips, that it isn’t fair that he is short and prejudiced against for certain positions. The good news is he can still be a part of the team if he is fast or can kick the ball a mile. So to is it with girls who are not 5’10 and 120 pounds. There are plenty of paying jobs for girls with other attributes. If high fashion is not your forte’ that is ok because there are always needs for print and glamour models. The truth is however that for girls under 5’7 the print opportunities are few and far between and quite honestly do not pay all that well. The girls who have any amount of success who are vertically challenged all have found success in the glamour and/or fetish fields. Catalogue and print paying gigs are seasonal and poorly compensated. Most of those gigs pay less then a thousand dollars and who could live off of that if you averaged one a month?
5) Screw Father Time. In the end he catches up with all of us. Models know that everyday a new girl turns 18 and that is tomorrow’s cover girl. Diet and exercise can prolong ones career but how many jobs entail 24-7 maintenance? I have seen models spend over an hour just getting ready for bed. What with this moisturizer, and that mask, and these vitamins, it is a ritual that is almost comedic. Heck a bikini wax alone is something that even the Spanish Inquisition would deem cruel and unusual punishment. It is not unusual to see a model spend the entire day at the gym, tanning salon, manicurist, stylist, and health food store just to be the best they can be.
In the end, being a model isn’t all it is cracked up to be. It takes a special breed of person and a dedication that few appreciate. It takes a brave soul to put her looks on the line for everyone to critique and ridicule. So the next time you see a model type walking down the street, thank your lucky stars that your mom and father looked like Fred and Ethel Mertz, lol!
1) Building a portfolio. This is a business of who you work with. As a photographer I provide a product (images) for models to build a portfolio in an effort to attract potential clients. Models provide a service. A service that enables the creation of images. As I mention to models many times, photographers are not relegated to shooting gorgeous people for their profession. Animals, landscapes, and products are all lucrative subjects that they can turn to. While models have the opportunity for live promotional events, the sad truth is without a photographer they (models) wouldn’t exist. Therefore, the scales are tilted heavily towards the photographers in the balance of the relationship between the two. Additionally the average modeling career is less then 4 years compared to the tenure of being a professional photographer that can span 10-30 years. Due to this, the odds are far greater that a photographer has built up a client base and reputation over the years that can benefit all those who shoot with him. In essence, in this business you are who you work with and photographers have far more leverage in that end of the equation. Wise new models realize this and target those photographers who can increase their exposure as well as produce the best product (images) for their portfolios. Even if they have to pay those photographers to work with them in the long run this investment in their career will payoff.
2) Practice makes perfect. Professional athletes spend a lifetime perfecting form and technique for the opportunity of game day. They watch video, memorize plays, and go over scouting reports of the opposition before they ever take the field. Truth is they spend far more time in preparation of the event then they ever do during the event. My question to models often is how often do you practice? When they look at me with puzzled expressions, I explain simply, how often do you practice your posing? A professional model is a choreographed joy to watch. Moving from one pose to the next with the fluidity of any ballet star. They understand their best features and the element of lighting and pose accordingly. You could of course develop this over time but that makes as much sense as Barry Bonds waiting for the actual game to take batting practice. You must be prepared for the big event when it calls. Create a pose file of images you can reference and practice everyday of making the transition of one pose to the next while observing yourself in the mirror. Research makeup techniques and fashion trends. Try and build a wardrobe of clothing that you can bring with you in the event that you need them for any shoot. Of course you can spend a fortune on clothes but smart models find them within a budget at second hand stores and Ebay.
3) Toto we’re not in Kansas anymore! If you don’t like to travel this is the wrong profession for you. Even if you live in a thriving metropolis like New York or Paris, you will still have to travel. If you live in a state that has more cows then people then you will be on the road all the time. Dealing with airports, subways, taxis and finding studios in towns you have never been to is very common place. A GPS is perhaps the wisest investment you can ever procure unless you have a merit badge in map reading. If you are on a budget, and who isn’t these days, learning to network and finding people within the industry who will allow you to stay with them is the only way to make ends meat. Which means unless you have an uncle in every town, it is a wise idea to get on the internet and network the heck out of developing contacts. I often joke that the biggest advantage to my height is I can sleep very comfortably on a couch! Not exactly the glamorous lifestyle it seems is it?
4) Being Realistic. I often hear height challenged models complain that the industry isn’t fair in allowing them the chance to be on the cover of Vogue. I liken this to the 5 foot 7 150 pound guy who complains to the coach that he really wants to play middle linebacker and has the desire and ability to do so. He further quips, that it isn’t fair that he is short and prejudiced against for certain positions. The good news is he can still be a part of the team if he is fast or can kick the ball a mile. So to is it with girls who are not 5’10 and 120 pounds. There are plenty of paying jobs for girls with other attributes. If high fashion is not your forte’ that is ok because there are always needs for print and glamour models. The truth is however that for girls under 5’7 the print opportunities are few and far between and quite honestly do not pay all that well. The girls who have any amount of success who are vertically challenged all have found success in the glamour and/or fetish fields. Catalogue and print paying gigs are seasonal and poorly compensated. Most of those gigs pay less then a thousand dollars and who could live off of that if you averaged one a month?
5) Screw Father Time. In the end he catches up with all of us. Models know that everyday a new girl turns 18 and that is tomorrow’s cover girl. Diet and exercise can prolong ones career but how many jobs entail 24-7 maintenance? I have seen models spend over an hour just getting ready for bed. What with this moisturizer, and that mask, and these vitamins, it is a ritual that is almost comedic. Heck a bikini wax alone is something that even the Spanish Inquisition would deem cruel and unusual punishment. It is not unusual to see a model spend the entire day at the gym, tanning salon, manicurist, stylist, and health food store just to be the best they can be.
In the end, being a model isn’t all it is cracked up to be. It takes a special breed of person and a dedication that few appreciate. It takes a brave soul to put her looks on the line for everyone to critique and ridicule. So the next time you see a model type walking down the street, thank your lucky stars that your mom and father looked like Fred and Ethel Mertz, lol!
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My Costa Rica Workshop
1 min read
An experience of a lifetime!
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Devious Journal Entry
3 min read
Save the G Foundation
It seems as if today everyone is taking up a cause to save this species or that animal from extinction. From bald eagles to clubbing fur seals we get bombarded with groups who ask us to donate time and money to prevent the world from losing some of its most beautiful creatures. I smile at myself as it suddenly occured to me that there is a species known to man that is threatened as well. The Professional Glamour/Fineart Photographer is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The digital age, the internet, and the 6 megapixel guy with a camera have thinned the herd to an alarming number. Pick up a Playboy from 10 years ago and ask yourself where have all these great photographers gone? The simple truth is they have left the profession or ventured into other areas because it no longer could pay the bills. It is sad that a wedding photographer of marginal skills makes more shooting a wedding then the top mens magazines shooters do. The simple truth is we are all to blame for this. In an effort to get published or to make a name for oneself we will often take pennies on the dollar to make an impact in the photography world. In the modern day acronym world of TFP, GWC, DVD, RAM, PS, and FAQ, even the IRS has felt the wrath of shooting for free. The term "Starving Artist" is an old one but never so true as todays Glamour photographers. So the next time you hear some commercial wanting you to donate to help save some endangered spieces think of this blog and give to the photographer of your choice. Remember the glamour photographer you save today, may be the one who puts a smile on your face tomorrow with the devotion to his imagery you enjoy!
The preceding was a sponsored endorsement for The Save the G foundation which is dedicated to preserving the hopes and dreams of glamour and fine art photographers worldwide. FYI that would be me!
It seems as if today everyone is taking up a cause to save this species or that animal from extinction. From bald eagles to clubbing fur seals we get bombarded with groups who ask us to donate time and money to prevent the world from losing some of its most beautiful creatures. I smile at myself as it suddenly occured to me that there is a species known to man that is threatened as well. The Professional Glamour/Fineart Photographer is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The digital age, the internet, and the 6 megapixel guy with a camera have thinned the herd to an alarming number. Pick up a Playboy from 10 years ago and ask yourself where have all these great photographers gone? The simple truth is they have left the profession or ventured into other areas because it no longer could pay the bills. It is sad that a wedding photographer of marginal skills makes more shooting a wedding then the top mens magazines shooters do. The simple truth is we are all to blame for this. In an effort to get published or to make a name for oneself we will often take pennies on the dollar to make an impact in the photography world. In the modern day acronym world of TFP, GWC, DVD, RAM, PS, and FAQ, even the IRS has felt the wrath of shooting for free. The term "Starving Artist" is an old one but never so true as todays Glamour photographers. So the next time you hear some commercial wanting you to donate to help save some endangered spieces think of this blog and give to the photographer of your choice. Remember the glamour photographer you save today, may be the one who puts a smile on your face tomorrow with the devotion to his imagery you enjoy!
The preceding was a sponsored endorsement for The Save the G foundation which is dedicated to preserving the hopes and dreams of glamour and fine art photographers worldwide. FYI that would be me!
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How I see women
2 min read
Women in my eyes
For each of us what is sexy about a woman differs greatly. For me I love to portray women of strength. Show me a woman who is independant and strong and I idolize her. Show me a woman who can weather a storm still holding her composure with grace and I fall in love. You will note that the women in my images are all of strength. That is why I love to shoot them from a low view point to demonstrate this pillar of strength. Many of my images contain women defying the odds and boldly staring off the page as if to say hit me with your best shot, cause tomorrow I will still be here. I want women to look me in the eye on the same level as myself, if we are to be a team. I do not like to shoot women looking down at them for a subserviant is not my equal and will never earn my respect. Some have mentioned the word exploitation in the nature of the nudity in my pics, but I say who is exploiting who? It is mans weakness that women exploit and it is only when the male can say no does he know true power. The question is who can say no to a beautiful woman? There is a reason why Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships after all!
GW
For each of us what is sexy about a woman differs greatly. For me I love to portray women of strength. Show me a woman who is independant and strong and I idolize her. Show me a woman who can weather a storm still holding her composure with grace and I fall in love. You will note that the women in my images are all of strength. That is why I love to shoot them from a low view point to demonstrate this pillar of strength. Many of my images contain women defying the odds and boldly staring off the page as if to say hit me with your best shot, cause tomorrow I will still be here. I want women to look me in the eye on the same level as myself, if we are to be a team. I do not like to shoot women looking down at them for a subserviant is not my equal and will never earn my respect. Some have mentioned the word exploitation in the nature of the nudity in my pics, but I say who is exploiting who? It is mans weakness that women exploit and it is only when the male can say no does he know true power. The question is who can say no to a beautiful woman? There is a reason why Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships after all!
GW
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