In this industry, there are plenty of people that call themselves “models.”  However, most photographers will attest that there is a strikingly low percentage of models out there that can be deemed “high caliper” … or top-notch.  Of course, each photographer has his or her own criteria by which they rank the talent they shoot.  For me, there are three … in order of importance:

#1 Professionalism: I don’t care how stunning a model is in her looks, if she is not professional the beauty means nothing! What good is a model that is almost flawless in her body and looks, if she doesn’t show up on time or at all, is obnoxious, has a “diva” complex or is just down right rude and disrespectful to the people she works around? I have seen a few… and usually I try to cut them off at the pass and hopefully prevent them from even stepping foot into my studio.  If you consider the talent out there with “super model” status, you would be generally hard-pressed to find those bad traits I mentioned above in them.

#2 Complete Beauty: I wrote the word “complete” before beauty because I have found that most models will posses an amazing body and “ok” face, an amazing face and “ok” body or unfortunately neither.  My heart will usually skip a beat when I come across a model that has both of these qualities.  I was watching an HD show that had women in bikinis posing for a shoot on the beach.  I just laughed as they presented these women with hard bodies and blah-looking faces – complete with close-ups of their sad, blotchy, pimple and make-up covered faces.  Yuck! They even had one woman posing topless, which reminded me of another peeve of mine.  Sometimes women will automatically expect I will want to work with them because they are willing to pose nude.  I don’t blame them for this expectation, but rather the GWCs (Guy’s With Camera) that are so desperate to get a woman naked in front of them that they will accept and pay anything.  Doing so lowers the standards for everyone else in the industry, pushing photographers to hire someone who is lacking the “quality” because they will remove their clothing.  Some may think I am being too critical, but keep in mind when someone tags themselves as a “model” they are inviting a review and judgment from everyone and anyone.

#3 Open-mindedness: Ok, so I have managed to line up the most amazing model – the pre-shoot details are set, the shoot is scheduled, the model is booked… my creative juices are flowing like a river and ready to be captured on film.  Great!  Model shows up and then proceeds to lay down the law – I won’t do this, I don’t like this angle, that makeup is too much, I need 10 bathroom breaks, lots of this…lots of that… My creative license has been pretty much revoked or stifled before I even shoot my first frame.  Point is… if a model is not going to be open-minded enough to embrace my creativity and professional movement to ultimately create some fantastic images, I say “why the heck are we here?”

Fortunately, this industry is a scalable one, so there IS work for the masses and less than perfect specimen.

Took me a while, but I finally pulled together my thoughts and have established a new project I am now working.  Over the summer, I will be casting and photographing twelve beautiful Native American women for this project.

Scope:

The calendar will contain images of women who have at least 50% Native American heritage.  I will be shooting outdoors, on location, in four different areas of the country (Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Central, East Coast).  Three women from each location, will represent tribes from that local region.  I could have went the route of having each woman wear specific tribal accessories, but I decided against it.  There is enough media content, whether it be images or movies, that stereotype the “American Indian” and I just won’t subscribe to it.  Instead, I’ll keep the intensity and focal point on the model’s beauty – presenting Native American women as sexy, strong and most of all empowered.

Charity:

I have decided to donate $1 for every calendar sold, to a Native American charity.  Still need to find a charity that will embrace my calendar and help to promote / sell it once completed (since they would have something to gain from the sale too).  If anyone out there wants to recommend their favorite charity, please let me know via my “about” page.

Casting Details:
Now shooting for 2012 glamour calendar featuring Native American women.  Yes, 2012 – I plan on distributing / selling starting early next year.  Must be comfy posing up to implied nude.  Shoots will take place outdoors so must be able to endure possible sudden weather and temperature changes.  MUA and hair stylist definitely will be provided and present. Lunch and expenses paid as well.

Please, must have at least 50% Native American background and please be at least 18+.  ALL experience levels welcome.

Send me an email, if you or someone you know might be interested in applying for this gig.

…from a recent shoot at the boutique class Alexis Hotel in Seattle.

Kristen: Upholstered MUA: Freakishly Beautiful

Kristen: Emerald Teddy MUA: Freakishly Beautiful

Today we launched our new photo touch-up service.  Started advertising on Facebook Ads. I am interested to see if this will be of interest to people.  Typically I automatically do these enhancements for clients when I am looking at their final proofs.  However, I think now it makes sense to start charging for these services since it eats up a lot of my time per photo. I have kept the pricing very low to accommodate the type of audience and purpose prospective customers will be using the service.  Direct clients of the studio will be receiving a more complex and comprehensive touch-up service and therefore will see a higher fee.

Ciao, Michael

In my line of work I have seen probably thousands of naked breasts over the past 15 years – big, small, medium, perky, saggy, disproportional, real and fake.  I have been asked by my clients numerous times whether I think they should get breast implants.  My answer is the same every time: “if you are considering getting breast implants, you should do it because YOU want them and NOT because you’re being pressured into it by someone.”  I have found that roughly 75% of the reasons given for wanting implants is related to a husband, boyfriend, girlfriend(s), talent agent etc. putting pressure on them.  The remainder are doing it because they are very insecure about their chest and its affects on how they interact socially and personally.  Myself, I always gravitate towards natural breasts on a woman, regardless of size or shape, and can’t see myself ever changing my opinion.

What makes me sad is a lot of times, the woman asking me whether she should go under the knife, actually has beautiful and shapely breasts [not flat or saggy by any definition]!  In that situation I will add, ” you have breasts people are PAYING for when they go to get implants.”  You should see their reaction, usually one of enlightenment, because nobody had ever offered this observation to them.  Of course, not everyone takes my advice, but I would like to think I was responsible for keeping a few from parting with their money for the procedure.

For the ones that still plan on going to get the work done, my only input to them would be to make sure you ask around and get many references from other women that have taken the same path.  Granted, most women are not going to be models or ever pose nude, but still you don’t want to be on the wrong end of the knife.  I have seen some amazing breast jobs and some major train wrecks.

The really good ones are the results of a surgeon who can make those fakes sit on your body in a way that they look almost natural.  Even the perkiest natural breasts droop slightly on the chest and good results can mimic this look.  Surgeons that approach their work almost as artists can even hide the scar tissue in a way so that it is completely invisible, unless you know where to look.

Unfortunately, I have seen some real train wrecks and the women who are pretty much scarred for life.  I have seen lop-sided breasts, asymmetrical nipples, hard breasts, breasts spread too wide, scars that would put a war veteran to shame.  Even with clothes on, a bad job can still be detected – for example sometimes breasts look like a shelf sitting on the chest.

Fake breasts can look ridiculous on a woman, when they are not proportional to her body shape and size.  I blame the surgeon again for not dissuading a patient from getting breasts that are way too big for her.  For example, one of the criteria that defines a great breast job is the size of the breast / cup as they relate to the size and height of the woman.   In my opinion, a petite woman (say 5,0″) will almost NEVER look good with fake breasts that are 38DD, for example.  However, if she opted for breasts that match her frame, say for example going from 32A to 34C they can look amazing and very natural.

I know some reading this will say this is all subjective, and I agree, but I am just saying there is a point where the breasts look stupidly freakish.

I get a lot of inquires about I how I met London Levi.  So, here it goes….It was May of 2008 and my photo assistant Kevin Luster, and I had hopped on a plane to shoot four models over the weekend in Dallas, TX.  I had booked the best suite in the house at the W Dallas – Victory Hotel because I wanted to ensure I had enough room and the best floor plan available.  These models were all relatively amateurs and I was looking forward to getting some great, non-contrived shots.   Honestly, I can’t remember the details too well, but I know that two of the originally booked models showed up and the other two were “flakes.” All par for the course when it comes to working in this industry.

London was actually a last minute alternate, thanks to the make-up artist I had hired.  She said she knew a woman that was probably available and was always looking to add images to her portfolio. She called her up, gave her the details and a few minutes later I met London down in the lobby.  Upon meeting her, the first visual impression I had of her was that she was stunning and had such beautiful skin, not to mention those amazing eyes.  Since my time was limited, my assistant got the legal formalities out of the way, such as checking her IDs (to verify she was at least 18 years of age) and having her read and sign the model release.

She then went into make-up and hair, while I sifted through some of the wardrobe she had brought.  After about 75 minutes, we started shooting in the great sunlight hitting the balcony.  It was a hot afternoon in Dallas and boy was I sweating from moving around to get the shots I wanted.  I had London in a white, spaghetti-strapped silk blouse and black skirt.  London was great, very composed and casual about the whole scene.

The nude component was not planned, but more of an optional direction we could take – based on how London was feeling.  If it makes sense, I will generally offer it to the model / client and let them decide.  She had never posed nude before, but after working with me for a while she obviously felt comfy enough to give it a whirl.  She was overall confident with her body, though I could tell one particular area she was a little self-conscious (which I made sure to not focus on too much).

A few months later I learned she had been selected to appear on Tyra Banks‘ America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), Cycle 12.  I was so happy for her, considering the odds, she kicked ass!

Below is one of my two favorite nude shots of her, interestingly neither one was of interest to Playboy Magazine because both breasts were not exposed – hmm, I guess they know what sells.

London Levi - America's Next Top Model ( ANTM )

This next one was shot over her shoulder, capturing the reflection in the mirror.  I decided to keep the round magnifying mirror in the shot to add a little intrigue..

London Levi - America's Next Top Model ( ANTM )

London Levi - Playboy Magazine ( NYSE: PLA )

This shot above is the one that Playboy Magazine decided to publish.

London Levi - Playboy Magazine ( NYSE: PLA )

Her name is Shyn and this MUA can style, primp, brush, pencil, mold, buff, dab, revitalize, accessorize and pretty much bring-back-from-the-dead any person you put in front of her -  she is AMAZING.  Shyn is also a very talented model, actress, up-and-coming photographer, dedicated and loving single-mom to a cute little boy, and ultimately warrior-goddess of the world.  I know.. I am using a lot of adjectives here.. but they are all approrpiate.  Heck, the woman even offered to spackle, paint and smooth out my studio’s walls for me (nothing to do with her gender, just amazed she would have any time).

I have only worked with her for about a year now, but in that time, we have had some memorable times working on my shoots (provided at the expense of some whacked-out models / clients).

Candid shot of Shyn with client:

Shyn, early morning - working her magic!

Let me get that...!!

I love this shot, I was trying to explain to the model to make some adjustments, so that she could ultimately perk up her breasts….well, after a few minutes of not getting it, Shyn decided to take it [them] into her own hands. The model was fine btw, the expression though was priceless.

I have been wanting to create this for some time, over the years I have stored up in my brain some of the best dumb-ass excuses I have received from models.  I certainly don’t think every model out there is giving me lines, but c’mon … really….. ok, you be the judge:

• Funeral: I remember a model one time told me the following, as to why she had to cancel her shoot scheduled in two weeks, “Hi, yeah, unfortunately I need to cancel my shoot on May 27 [two weeks ahead] because I have to attend a funeral on that day.”  Now granted, she was at least courteous enough to let me know in advance that she couldn’t make it, but wow … that excuse just left me utterly speechless! I was thinking to myself later “did she have an execution to attend?”

• Power Outage: A model sends me an email and says that she never bothered to show up for her shoot an hour before because she had a power outage.  She goes on to tell me though that she is even sitting in the dark, as she is typing the email to me because the power is still out. Hmm, now I am thinking, “so power is out but she can still send an email?” I call her, and when she answers the phone she sticks to her story, but in the background you hear someone say “hurry up, the movie is starting!”

• Stripper Pole: Had a model tell me the reason she was a “no-show” for our shoot was because the night before the stripper pole she was swinging on broke! She ended up having to be rushed to the hospital with a concussion.  Maybe this was true, but I still think it qualifies as lame-ass.

• Born Again Christian: Had a girl not show and later tell me the reason is because that day she became a Born Again Christian and then decided she was not going to model anymore.  That is all well and good, but does that mean she was now unable to use the phone, email or anything to at least let me know? Note: A week later my photographer buddy did a shoot with her – guess that BAC shit was short-lived.

• Deported: Model emails me telling me she got deported back to the Philippines and that is why she couldn’t make it to the shoot.  Just for the fun of it, I looked up the location of the IP address attached to the email – San Francisco!  Maybe she had a relative send the email from the US? I don’t know, maybe I am not supposed to be so technically savvy – sorry.

Of course, these five are on top of the many last minute sicknesses, food poisonings, dead grandmothers, car accidents, muggings, car towings and stolen everything (cell phones, laptops, keys, purses etc.).

Stay tuned… I am sure there will be more to come.