Story Time Ink

Everybody has heard the one about a picture being worth 1,000 words. This may well be the photo project that not only puts that notion to the test, but proves it incontrovertibly…

Concept/Intentions/Goals
With Story Time Ink I am essentially setting myself up as a biographer to the most Uniquely Intriguing tattoo designs I can locate & convince to sit for me. I want to capture not only the dramatic beauty of the visible, but the equally intriguing invisible attributes as well. The “Who-What-Where-When-and-Why” of the Ink’s existence is as vital as the design itself…

When completed, the collection will be published, initially as a coffee table book, but I am also entertaining the possibilities of a calendar and gallery quality prints as well…

Model Requirements
Models must be of legal age (& provide proof) to contract in their own name;
Models must be willing to sign my release form allowing publication;

Story Time Ink is all about shooting Interesting Ink with an intriguing story. Pretty pictures are only half the deal on this one, folks. I also need to capture the story behind your skin are as well. Is it a tribute or memorial to someone now gone? A reminder of happier times? Sadder times? Where you came from? The result of too much shore leave in Singapore? Be prepared to share…

Session Requirements
Sessions are short, with time split evenly between shooting & discussing your Ink. I will be shooting a “standard ID headshot” for my files, as well as two views of each tattoo being included in the project.

The first view is a “wide angle” shot to locate the Ink’s placement on the body. The second view is a close up to capture your Ink’s fine detail…

Exposure
Nudity is NOT the focus of this project. That being said, subjects will be requested to display their Ink fully to the lens. Depending on precisely where you have positioned your Ink on your body, that may be accomplished by the simple expedient of wearing a sleeveless top or shorts. In other cases, I may require you to remove an article of clothing briefly so as to capture the best possible view of your Ink.

Session Locations
I do not have my own studio, nor do I employ studio lighting. All of my model shoots are “on location” sessions using available light. I have, on occasion shot for this project in public venues, but when privacy has been required, sessions have been held in my model’s homes.

Compensation
Story Time Ink is being conducted as a Trade Shoot. Participants will receive their choice of two fully edited image files (full size printable and low resolution web display formats) per tattoo included in the project. This does mean that those individuals having more tattoos will receive more images.

Escort Policy
I allow models a single escort/companion on set when shooting, providing I'm told ahead of time the escort will be present. (I hate surprises.) I expect and require all individuals present (myself included) to behave as adults at all times. At the first indication of unnecessary drama I will terminate the session & all images captured to that point, if any, will be deleted.

Miscellaneous Concerns
If you wish to have your Ink included but prefer to remain anonymous, I am more than willing to accommodate you. Your name and face need not appear in the completed works when published…

All model sessions are conducted weekends & holidays only. An occasional weekday morning session is possible depending on my schedule, though they are rare. It doesn’t hurt to ask, however…

Got a question I didn’t cover here? Want to schedule your session? Please let me know…

Batter Up!

Take a pretty girl;

Dress her in short shorts, a low cut blouse, heels & baseball cap;

Stir in a glove, bat & selection of baseballs;

Add a generous portion of sunshine & place gently in a Field of Dreams;

Stir in one slightly demented photographer and let the hotness commence…

Yield: One incredibly sexy, non-nude, baseball themed pinup session!

Goals/Intentions
I started “Batter Up!” back in 2007, intending to create my very first ever pinup calendar. I managed to complete five of 12 model sessions before winter came rushing in to delay shooting.

After a somewhat lengthier delay (cough, cough) than anticipated, I think it’s time to blow the dust off this project and get it back on track. So, come springtime, I am going to need to begin shooting an additional 7 to 8 model sets so as to be able to prepare & publish in time for the 2013 calendar year.

Model Requirements
Female models must be of legal age to contract in their own name. A copy of your photo ID (Driver’s License, State ID) is required.
Models must sign my commercial release allowing publication.

Wardrobe
The Look we’re shooting for is fun, flirty, light hearted & very, very sexy. The purpose here is to tease the viewer with your legs, cleavage, bare midriff and figure, so…

Nothing too terribly outrageous needed. Short shorts (“Daisy Dukes”) or Mini/Tennis skirt with a tight Tank, Halter, or Button front blouse (over brightly colored bra/bikini top.)

And heels, too, of course… Heels are ALWAYS a good idea…

The “N” Word, Nudity
There is absolutely NO nudity, full or implied, involved in this project.

Compensation
I am conducting this project as a “Trade Shoot.” Participating models will share equally in any profits derived from the sale of the completed calendar. In addition, my models will receive up to ten fully edited image files for their use in both full size printable and low resolution web display formats.

Miscellaneous Stuff
All my model shoots are conducted “on location.” In this particular case, we will be shooting on a baseball field. If you live near a suitable field you’d like to shoot at, I’m happy to come to you. Alternatively, I have a few locations in the near north & northwest burbs that have worked well for me in the past…

Escort Policy
I allow my models a single escort/companion on set when shooting, providing I'm told ahead of time the escort will be present. (I hate surprises.) I expect and require all individuals present (myself included) to behave as adults at all times. Adults should be able to discuss any issues arising during a shoot without resorting to name calling, threats of violence and similar displays of teenage angst… Life is just too short.

I have absolutely zero tolerance for “High School Drama” when shooting, so be very clear up front that I will terminate the session & delete all images captured to that point at the first indication of any foolish displays of ire…

Toppers

I’ve got plenty of very serious Photo Projects.  This is not that.  Welcome to Toppers, a project dedicated to the simple proposition that hats are fun!  And Photographing folks having fun with hats is even more so.   Join me, won’t you?

Concept/Intentions

I’ve been shooting models a few years now, and I’ve enjoyed each & every session.  I count myself fortunate to have worked with so many talented individuals.  If any of my models are reading this now, I thank you directly.  You’ve brought a great deal of joy into my life. 

Sometimes there was a hat, either wardrobe or prop.  Not always, but with fair frequency.  As time passed I began to notice that those images with a hat seemed to strike me as “a bit more special” than those without.  While I always edit my model’s selected images first, in the order he/she preferred, when I got to my own selections, those including a hat almost always got Priority status..

Then one day a light bulb burst into flame overhead & Toppers was born, full fleshed & ready to dance.

A series of portraits – fine & casual – featuring people wearing all manner of headgear seemed a good idea.  I decided to give it a go and see what came of it…

"What are my intentions," you ask?  First and foremost I want to have fun creating some wonderful images. 

Will I publish the series?  Possibly, but at this point, I simply don’t know.  If I do publish, it will most likely be in book form or perhaps as a calendar.  Should the Project prove popular enough, other formats & opportunities may present themselves for consideration…

As for content, let's just let our imaginations roam a bit.  Ever dreamed of being a Pro Athlete, complete with helmet or ball cap?  A Cowboy with a Stetson?  A Southern Belle in a floppy hat?  How about a Private I ala Bogey?  A Femme Fatale in a veiled pill box?  A Surgeon or Nurse, maybe a Candy Striper?  A Rockette, a Chef, or Indian Chief?  With imagination - and the right hat - the sky's the limit...

Model Requirements

This project is open to males, females, children, cats, dogs and other family members – in short anyone may participate so long as that individual is wearing a hat.... 

I will require a signed model release for every participant, as well as a copy of the subject's State Issued Photo ID for my records.  Just in cast the project does gain enough traction for publication - in whatever form.

Parents/Legal guardians must accompany minor children under 16 years of age while shooting.  Parents/Guardians are welcome, but not required, to accompany minor children 16 years of age & older while shooting.

Wardrobe

Wardrobe requirements are simple.  Participants must wear a hat.  It can be a fedora, bowler, cowboy hat, floppy brimmed sun hat, stocking cap, top hat, football/motorcycle helmet, ball cap, flap hat or beanie.  Style or type of hat is unimportant.

As far as other wardrobe goes – you know, that part below the hat – use your imagination.  Be as conservative or as outlandish as you like.  Want to wear a business suit with your Fedora, Top Hat or Motorcycle Helmet?  Go for it.  Jeans, shorts, dresses, slacks, miniskirt/blouse, swimwear – whatever LOOK you favor with your hat is welcome.

The "N" Word:  Nudity

If you’re comfortable shooting in the buff, I’m certainly willing.  I can visualize several tasteful nude as well as implied implied shots in which all the “important” bits are hiding behind an appropriately placed Helmet, Floppy brimmed sunhat or Fedora. 

Compensation

I am conducting Toppers  as a Trade Shoot:

Anyone participating in the project have their choice of receiving up to 10 fully edited image files of their choice in both full-size print ready & low resolution web display formats, to use as they see fit.

Alternatively, participants may elect to schedule a 2nd photo shoot, of equal duration and of their own design at a later date.  Whatever you want to shoot - be it a unique Family Portrait session, Boudoir or Pinup images for yourself or Significant Other, even a special event such as a child's Birthday Party, Christening or Family Reunion.  (Weddings are excluded, mostly cuz I can't charge enough to make shooting them palatable.)

Location
Location is a variable that will change from session to session.  Playgrounds, City Parks, State Parks, a back alley, the odd corn or bean field, your own home, a motel room – just depends on what specific “scene” we are working on when we shoot.

Miscellaneous

I am primarily an “Available Light” photographer, though I do occasionally use speed lights, light modifiers & the occasional reflector from time to time.

In all fairness, let me also state that I am a completely shameless Photoshopper.  I just cannot resist the urge to "make a good story better" with a few tweaks here and there.  Just because we shot in a basement or in front of a corn field doesn't necessarily mean that's what the photo will display.  Or it might, depending...

My schedule is annoyingly open at present, so I am absolutely able to accommodate your busy schedule. 

Experienced and first time models both are welcome to participate.  You may be assured I will work with you to capture the best possible images and make the experience as fun as possible. 

Escort Policy

Models are welcome to bring a companion/escort along for moral support, costuming assistance, protection (whatever) as long as I’m told in advance.  Surprise me with an unexpected guest and the session will be cancelled immediately.  I hate surprises…

Please note:  I have zero tolerance for high school drama on my shoots.  I go into each and every session with the full expectation that I am working with adults fully capable of discussing any and all issues that may arise.  Name calling, threats of violence and similar nonsense will result in the session's immediate termination and the deletion of all images taken to that point.  If necessary, I will call the police and press charges to the full extent allowable under the law.

Got a question I didn’t cover here? Want to schedule your session? Hit me with a message.  I’m here, camera at the ready...

…and - - - Go!

Urban Warrior

Welcome to the “Urban Warrior” project concept…

In a futuristic alternate Amerika democracy is remembered as a darkly humorous experiment in social dynamics that, while quaint, ultimately failed as a result of unchecked greed, corruption & faulty reasoning. Rule here is decided instead by force of arms, in strict accordance to the exceedingly stringent conventions of the Warrior's Ethos...

Goals/Intentions
The Urban Warrior Project, as of this writing, is an exercise in photo manipulation techniques that will, hopefully result in several composited images suitable for sale as framed art prints with a unique flair…

Most of the shoots for this project will be conducted as “green screen” type session, meaning the model(s) will be shot posing before as innocuous a background as I can contrive. At a later date, those images will be pasted into a suitably gothic background…

Conversely, there will be a number of sessions conducted in outdoor locations suitably in keeping with the project’s theme.

Model Requirements
This is an “equal opportunity” project. All models (male, female, other…) are welcome.

There will be single & multi-model sessions both. Models will be posing with blunt and edged weapons, but absolutely no firearms. (The Warrior Ethos specifically prohibits such weaponry…)

Models will be expected to sign a commercial model release and provide proof of age – your state issued driver’s license or ID will suffice.

Wardrobe
A warrior must be able to move comfortably, yet not have any “loose or flowing” material that might snag on rocks, fences or worse, used by his/her opponent to control his/her movement… Attire should be snug so as to show your musculature to good advantage.

Men, you get off easy here. A pair of dark slacks (black, blue, brown) and a white Tee, Tank or vest that shows off your “guns” is sufficient.

Ladies, you have a few more options, but should follow the same basic theme: Dark slacks, shorts or skirt below, with a midriff baring top (tee, halter, tank) or sleeveless vest above. Also, please plan on either wearing a strapless bra to the session or posing braless – I despise digitally removing visible bra straps…

Both men and women should be wearing boots. Work, hiking, fashion – the choice is yours…

The “N” Word, Nudity
The vast majority of sessions for this project will involve absolutely NO nudity. There are exceptions, however.

I am considering staging one or two “formal combat” competitions within an arena environment. Men & women competing in such “formal combats” will do so bare chested.

No one will be expected to participate in one of these sessions unless we have discussed the matter fully in advance…

Escort Policy
Models are welcome to bring a companion/escort along for moral support, costuming assistance, protection (whatever) as long as I’m told in advance. Surprise me with an unexpected guest and the session will be cancelled immediately. I hate surprises…

Please note: I have zero tolerance for high school drama on my shoots. I go into each and every session with the full expectation that I am working with adults fully capable of discussing any and all issues that may arise. Name calling, threats of violence and similar nonsense will result in the session's immediate termination and the deletion of all images taken to that point. If necessary, I will call the police and press charges to the full extent allowable under the law.

Compensation
This project is being conducted as a “Trade Shoot, with a twist.” I cannot pay models for participating, but I do have a profit sharing plan for which this project qualifies. Models working with me will receive an equal share of any profits derived from sale of their images…

Miscellaneous Stuff
I have no studio, so conduct all modeling sessions as “on location” shoots. The majority of my models are shot in public venues such as a park or Forest Preserve. I have also shot in models’ homes and do occasionally rent motel rooms for shooting.

I prefer shooting weekends, but depending on your location, we may be able to schedule a morning or late evening session through the week.

As it is currently winter here in Chicago-land and I'm not particularly fond of inducing frostbite in my models, this project will begin shooting in earnest come spring...