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.