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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28881034341671264452017-10-03T20:12:47.785-07:00Helios PhotographyWil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-22618186936599252017-10-03T15:23:00.000-07:002017-10-03T20:12:47.799-07:00Lingerie vs Swimwear: The Great Debate / Style or Trash

I had no idea lingerie and swimwear was such a controversial topic when it comes to modeling and photography. I mean sure, I know some people are more… "conservative" isn't the right word; maybe timid or paranoid might be more appropriate. It is true that nothing you put online is private despite the number of filters and blocks you put up. It is impossible to perfectly block a picture that is online from a committed person. I don't understand why it's such a big deal. Some people model swimwear. Some people model lingerie. But sometimes I can encounter someone that doesn't do both and it is baffling and a bit befuddling to say the least.

First, let me give you a bit of a background with the kind of person writing this. I come from a very conservative and religious background. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being hardly ever seeing the inside of a place of worship except for on Easter or just saying you're a Christian during Christmas, and 10 being a totally dedicated to convert everyone or the world will go up in flames… I'd say I grew up in a household around a number 7; 8 in a pinch. So you might say, I know a bit about scripture, morality, ethics, burning in hell or not (depending on what your interpretations are), idolatry, family responsibilities, chastity and everything in between. I still hold many of those truths close to heart like not living with someone unless you are married to them. I'm not so demented as to think burning bushes will start talking to me in this day and age but once those things are with you those sense of moral don't go away.

Now that you know something about my level of "letting it all go" if you will, you can take comfort in the fact that I'm not to be taken casually when speaking on a topic as sensitive as lingerie and swimwear. First, I'll address the first part of the topic. The "I will model swimwear but not lingerie" group. This group is the most mind-numbingly baffling. Why? Because swimwear is lingerie on the beach. Not only is it that, it is public for all the world to see and it shouldn't bother you. The more we make something forbidden, the more people glorify it, taboo it and think it's dirty. The more any degree of freedom like swimwear or lingerie becomes labeled as dangerous or wicked, you give it its power.

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You might say I've been desensitized over the years because of working with so many people. That might be somewhat true. But that further proves my point. That theoretical desensitization doesn't make it any less private, personal or intimate, but it does lessen the impact such draconian ideology has on society and human sexuality as a whole. I would never want a child of mine to think somehow the human body is not a work of art. It's imperfections and its perfection co-existing in unending upswept curves, tips and lines are to be marveled. I asked several people why they would do swimwear and not lingerie. The answers I got all started with, "My husband…," my boyfriend…," "my culture…" or "my religion…" Do you want to know what no person in the history of photographing people for nearly 15 years started out aying? No-one started out with telling me what "they" wanted or thought as an individual. They had convinced themselves that the opinion of someone who had no true control over their decision making to make them feel unclean and dirty to even consider such a thing. They were being treated like property. That shocked really shocks me to my core. What year is it anyway? We don't own people anymore nor should we ever.

Having been around art much of my life, I'd long developed in appreciation for art in all forms; not despite my conservative upbringing but because of it. You see it was never a topic shunned in my family but rather respected, protected, discussed and revered but not by wrapping oneself in chastity belts and wraps but my instilling values to respect yourself first, then other people, their opinions and their values even when they do not coincide with your own. That laid the foundation for me to see the world in a broader context. Such as, knowing that in many parts of Europe nudity is no different from riding a bike down the street on a hot summer's day. Yet, in other countries it may be a public beheading offense. I respect that like I respect anyone's opinion about even modeling lingerie, swimwear or even nude because I believe anything that has an appropriate level of tastefulness and style applied that can make any and all things beautiful and visually palatable and that such things should at least be considered with an open mind.

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What do I mean by the latter? I mean anything not done well will be bad for your reputation and your career considering how paranoid and Draconian the sometimes overly-righteous US can be about such things. I've seen some of the most distasteful swimwear in poses that would make my grandmother roll over in her grave. She would say, "why is that woman outside in her drawz with her business in the street? That is just filth," or she would say worst things. Just go online and you can see swimwear models in extremely compromising poses, horrible styling, inappropriate clothing and it is not always a matter of skin coverage. It is a matter of style and appropriate taste for what is being presented. Consider that I can show a fully nude photo of a model posing in an appropriately beautiful and artful way and yet another fully clothed in a less than flattering way and the clothed one will offend far faster than the nude. Why? It is because of style, appropriateness and quality not how much skin is showing or where the model is or what she's lying on or if she's inside or outside.

You might conclude that this notion of not modeling lingerie but openly modeling swimwear because lingerie is too closely related to sex is dumb in hindsight is it not? Is that what your small minded husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends are thinking? That seems more like a trust issue. To say such a thing means that I can take a model dressed in nothing but lingerie out to a public beach and it would be just fine. That is the logic people that model swimwear but not lingerie is using isn't it? Swimwear is in fact lingerie outdoors exposure-wise and modeling one is no more controversial than another. I've seen far more revealing swimwear than I have lingerie in my time. But even so, skin visibility isn't the issue. It is that fear of getting it wrong. That fear that they might be shown in a most sexualized and unflattering way that sends the wrong message; a horrible message that objectifies instead of empowers. A message that says I'm easy trash. It is that along with a paranoid boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband right? Can it go down like that? You bet it can. But any kind of clothing or lack thereof can do that, swimwear included.

People often project how they feel and assume they know how other people will feel. That other husband thinks my wife or girlfriend will look like a slut they think. But that is only what he would think in such a position. But let's get to it while it's fresh on my mind. I know you're all wondering so I'll just lay it out there. Would I let my wife model lingerie? You're damn right I would with very few conditions. My only rule is to do it well. I may want to help her choose the photographer and have some idea of the set or theme of it. I would like to be sure it's extremely high quality, fashionable, tasteful and resembling of something from Victoria's Secret, SIRCUS magazine, Vogue or Harpers. Other than that I trust my wife completely to make reasonable decisions that would not endanger her, her career and put either of us in harm's way. I don't treat her like property. She is as smart and intelligent as I am, perhaps more. If she chooses to she can do whatever she likes and I'll be sure to support her fully should she want me to.

Now that elephant has left the room what about modeling lingerie and not swimwear? This was a rare one; far rarer than the first but I encountered it once several years ago and once again no more than three weeks ago. This is a far simpler explanation. A lingerie shoot is far slower. There is time to think, consider, plan and organize. It is more private, there is more interaction with the team and above all else it far less public. There aren't strangers walking by and despite the fact she may be wearing more or less, every pair of eyes may feel like eyes of judgement for less than confident model. I get that. It is far more believable and valid a reason than the "swimwear not lingerie" crowd. Outdoor photo shoots are a whirlwind at best. Things are happening fast because of changing light. There can also be great deal of moving, the weather changes constantly and people going to and fro gawking and commenting aloud. Unless of course you have a private space to shoot, I imagine that anxiety building and interfering with concentration is difficult. But for the most part this type of fear is far less common than the aforementioned one.

Like anything each and every person can make their own decisions about what is and what is not appropriate for them. I can't possibly understand everyone's motivations for doing or not doing anything. Something as private and deeply personal as lingerie and swimwear is a personal decision that I respect one way or another. I would never and have never asked anyone to model anything they don't want to. I heard the horror stories of other photographers that have but I will say even those instances are very rare. Once a model makes her limits known, they work it out or she walks away. It is that simple.

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We have been fortunate to work with some viciously gorgeous people over the years and hope to continue to. Some model only fashion, some beauty, others lingerie and swimwear. We love them all. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and different life circumstances that dictate their decision making. No marriage is worth losing over a pic and no job is worth risking because you look beautiful in La Perla. Okay maybe if it's La Perla it might be worth considering because I've never seen anyone look bad in La Perla. LOL! In all seriousness, the decision is your own and no one should be able to make you feel bad for doing so or not doing so.

I have done my fair share of lingerie shoots, boudoir, glamour, fashion, art-nude, beauty, fitness, swimwear, avant garde, implied, cosplay and other ideas that defy genre classification. Boudoir is most popular largely among wives and girlfriends and guess what, they are not even models in the traditional sense. They give them as a gift to their husbands or most of them gift it to themselves as a gift of empowerment, bravery and strength. Many have commented that it is as if shackles have fallen off. They feel braver and more empowered than they ever had before. It is not a dirty thing. It can and often is a source of strength if you let it become so.

We love it when people that may not model lingerie or swimwear themselves can look at a Helios image of someone that has and appreciate its style, beauty and attention to detail. I've seen the comments and read them. "I don't model lingerie but this is very tasteful and beautifully done" is often said. Or we read "I do not model lingerie or swimwear but I would like to do so with Helios if you would consider giving me a quote and explaining your process." We appreciate that level of trust and understanding because before I am anything I am a professional. My concern is not only that you get the image or design that you want, but that we also exceed your expectations.

That same model I mentioned earlier that told me she has modeled lingerie but that she never considered modeling swimwear flipped thru SIRCUS magazine Issue 9, the special swimwear edition we submitted to and changed her mind on the spot. Before, she was worried about not looking classy and decent in public. Well, her worries were dispelled immediately and she decided on the spot that making a gorgeous timeless image is less about what people think about you. She realized that it comes down to style, taste, appropriateness and finding the right people you can trust to give you the high quality you need.

There is nothing trashy about swimwear not more than lingerie and vice versa. This is about perspective and managing expectations that will insure your success with either or both. Nothing is beyond your control when you have the right people supporting you and not making you feel lesser than you are.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-10553703862470852152017-10-02T16:09:00.001-07:002017-10-02T16:09:49.739-07:00Are You a Helios Model? And What is a Helios Model Anyway?

Who or What is a "Helios Model?"

To be completely honest with you, we didn't know this phrase was a thing until about the third time we had heard it from at least three different people. We're not a modeling agency but I do believe that over time we may have indirectly chosen or maybe created a different classification of models and clients.

I don't believe it is a look. I personally think everyone we've photographed is beautiful. I really mean that. Everyone we have ever photographed in uniquely gorgeous in their own way. Our portfolio is far too varied to say it is just blondes or brunettes, dark hair, asians or blacks, whites or otherwise. But I do think that most of the models who collaborate with us have a refinement unseen anywhere else. It's not a job, or a label. It's just something people tend to remember the model by. We guess it's a thing now.

For example, I did a follow-up with a model two weeks ago. This follow-up was long after my initial shoot with her. We met just to discuss future ideas and just to see how her shoots with other photographers have gone since our first shoot together. She is having a blast. However, it was the recent photographers she had worked with that also gave her the label as a Helios Model which in essence meant, she was in a different and more elite class than normal. Hey, we'll take that. Again, it is not our saying, this seems to be public opinion. We're not an agency but we do often brag about finding the absolute best people to photograph. To be honest, even the paid assignments are exceptional in our opinion. I believe good people are simply attracted to good things. You want the best then you should always strive to be the best. If I want the best models I try not to beg for them, pay them extraneous amounts of money. I put my time and effort in honing, improving and perfecting my skill as a designer and photographer. In time, if it is meant to be we will simply cross paths; if not, we will not. We certainly don't have a monopoly on premium people. In fact, we would say that there have many more people we would like to work with; all of which are well-suited to the ideas we have planned. Are they "Helios Models" before we even work with them? We can't answer that if we don't know why the label exist.

We don't happen upon active photo shoots from other photographers very often so we don't see their process with how they select, engage and direct models but I can't imagine it would be that different. You select, research, schedule and shoot or you reply to a message or an email, agree on a rate, schedule and shoot. Simple right? Or so we thought. Apparently, somewhere along the line we seem to develop these new classifications and what some are designating as a higher echelon of talent than what is normally found.

We honestly don't know what is going on. But what we do know is that we are eternally grateful for every single paid assignment and collaboration that comes our way and we have fun doing them. As you might also be aware, we often credit the talent and clients themselves with how well the images manifest. We couldn't be who we are without their skill, vision and talent.

So what is a Helios Model? I still don't really know. Perhaps someone else can define why people we photograph just seem so categorically premium and elite. If I had to guess we believe people decide to become a Helios Model when they make that first email, send that first message or make the initial phone call to setup a shoot. It's a mindset not a look. They've decided to take a leap and see what happens and that within itself suggest a creative and more open minded way of approaching art and photographically specific. If the label derives from the results then that is most certainly our theory. Full trust in the process is over half of our successes.

Our final theory on what constitutes a Helios Model is a person that constantly strives to improve their craft. They encourage others to be the best they can be while they themselves work hard to expand their creative opportunities. They want to forge productive relationships and work with other people like themselves that respect style, taste and refinement above all else and they would much rather have quality above quantity. If that is a Helios Model then I believe nearly everyone we've ever had the pleasure of working with suits that label.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-5316638137976903442017-08-30T14:06:00.002-07:002017-08-30T14:13:37.207-07:00Are Models and Photographers Territorial with their Collabs?

Can Photographers and Models be territorial?

We all have our favorite models and photographers we like to frequently work with for simple creative exploration and editorials for publishing. As the years have gone by and as skills and techniques becomes more refined, I find my list quite short. In fact, I think it is safe to say that it is very short.

I've long since grown beyond the days of port building unless it is decided that we want to explore a different market and a take a different direction to broaden our appeal to another target audience. In those instances, I will certainly reach out to different people to see if they want to be apart of that process. Otherwise, it's business as usual - paid assignments, commercial work, test shoot; rinse and repeat. There is nothing more rewarding than doing what you love to do every day and we certainly love it. There is no doubt of that. But how do you feel about your favorite model or photographer stepping out on you to work with someone else for creative work? As a model have you caught yourself thinking, "wait a minute, that's MY photographer. What is she doing with him?" Or does the photographer occasionally think, "hold on. I thought she was with me. Did I do something wrong?"

I'm of the mindset that no single person can do everything perfect all of the time. Or that everyone isn't as easily available all of the time. A photo friend down the street can give you enough images for your Facebook feed to get you thru for a while. But when it is time for grown-up photography she'll call me right? LOL! I know models that do not shoot lingerie so what am I to do? I call a model that I shoot lingerie with when I need to shoot a lingerie series. I know models that do not shoot fashion and prefer to shoot swimwear. What do I do? I call someone I know that does fashion if I need to. It's just important to me to have a diverse enough contact list for the things I want to explore creatively. However, I still keep a very short list of high-quality contacts. I'd rather shoot less with high-quality talent than more and get mediocre inconsistent talent.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to artistic collaborations. I certainly can't do makeup and hair styling. But there are a few photographers that can do that as well as take a decent picture. Therefore, your favorite model may sometimes venture out for some creative collaboration on her own without you because it's just a better arrangement. To the photographers, you can't be everything to everyone. Besides, if a photographer is dead set on a certain style of images all the time, the model may need to mix it up a bit. Additionally, she certainly doesn't need permission from the photographer.

The same can be said the other way around. I've heard from a few models that have seemingly felt betrayed when I seek out their model friend or someone else they know in the industry. Hey, How was I supposed to know that they were rivals? I've received an email or two in my time worded "I would have done that look for you. Why did you have to contact HER or HIM?" It is as if some people can get a little jealous over collaborative choices. It isn't dating but it can often feel a lot like you've been cheated on when your favorite photographer starts photographing the rival model you really can't stand to even be in the same runway show with; you know the one that you secretly wish heel would break when she walks out. LOL! Okay not that bad but you're getting my point I think.

What do I do then? I do what I'e always done. I focus on quality. I focus on taking better pictures and spoiling the people you like to work with the most. I actually encourage them to seek out an assignment or two so you don't ever feel taken for granted it happens. Don't laugh. It happens. They'll come back and appreciate you THAT much more. Your favorite collaborations will always come back to you when they want the best or they've had their feel of trials and tribulations and now want consistent mind-blowing results. They don't want to feel taken for granted either, which is one more reason to diverse your collaborations when you're starting out.

I'm in the "been there and done that" phase so I don't venture out far from my fav creative partners. I still step away for the occasional test shoot but when I really really want my best model or models I know exactly who to call. It's an understanding that took years to nurture and develop so we know what we are creatively to each other and where we stand. We know that we each want to be first on every consideration or idea. Now we are. I can't even fathom trying out an idea without considering this model or models first. They get first choice on everything.

I wouldn't say I am territorial in such regard but there has been a couple of times over the many years when I've been a little miffed about where someone's head was. Of course, art is very subjective but if you're a photographer then you have had those times when your favorite model takes an image with someone else and you say WTF?! That's terrible. Why didn't she call me if she wanted to try that? I would have done that so much better and why didn't she even ask me if I wanted to do it? Now we both look bad because I'll be that photographer who worked with THAT model that shot with the new photographer… and it was horrific." LOL! Then I check myself and remember that my focus should be on my own level or proficiency. I encourage everyone I meet to shoot as often as they can with only the best photographers you can find; not just anyone. But remember that creative exploration is one thing but a dumb ass decision is another.

"Quality over Quantity." That is my motto that I want everyone I collab with to employ. I don't really care who any collaboration or paid assignment I have ever had works with after me so as long as they keep that philosophy in mind. Shooting with someone far better than I am doesn't tick me off. In fact, I love seeing people succeed and doing bigger and better things. It justifies the faith they had in me. You wouldn't want anyone to do worse after you would you? That's crazy. That would mean they make consistently bad decisions so what are you? A fluke? An accident other than a deliberate intelligent decision? But shooting with someone far worse… well that can get under my skin a little even now. LOL!

I am acutely attuned to who is encouraging each other on social media and websites. I read post and notice when and what models are actively commenting on other models and what photographers are promoting and commenting about other photographers work that they admire. Or are they only commenting on their own pictures that get posted? The people that share, comment, like and post on other work not involving themselves are people I want to work with because it displays confidence and people good enough at their crafts as to not be threatened by petty territorial pissings (to borrow a Nirvana song title) :)

All we can do is encourage each other and try to build each other up creatively rather than the other way around. To me, a person that actively encourages other people is not only being positive but they are showing that they are confident enough with themselves to understand their worth. So when a favorite model of mine shoots with multiple other photographers, eventually when she sees me or contacts me it will be something like, "I can't wait to shoot with you again. You have no idea how I've missed your eye. Here are my ideas if you have some time to talk about our next adventure." Isn't that validation enough? Focus on your craft. No one wants to see anyone fail but if you focus on making yourself better and encourage others positively things have a way of working out without having to be so dogmatically territorial. Yet, when you're out and about with one of your favorite collabs, there is a certain level of comfort one gains from being referred to as MY friend and MY photographer. Or when I introduce my friend by her name followed by she is the best model that has ever been in front of my camera. It shows a certain creative kinship that illustrates to everyone around that I know this guy or this model. He is the best and we've been thru the creative thick of it and I trust no one else more than him or that I prefer her over everyone I've ever worked with before.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-26412975816179389282017-05-25T10:01:00.000-07:002017-05-25T15:25:22.374-07:00Who is To Blame When Your Photos Turn Out Bad?

We have been fortunate not to have these things occur. Yet, we hear about them all the same. We've had a misunderstanding or two over the years. Who hasn't? Usually it's about start times and styling choices. Even after all these years there are some things we still simply refuse to photograph. There can be a great deal of finger pointing when things go bad on or after a photo shoot. When the pictures aren't of the quality and caliber of what everyone expected then who is to blame for that?

Is it the subject, the client, the photographer, the creative director, the makeup artist or hair stylist, the agency, the wardrobe stylist, the retoucher or the booking agent's fault that these images are so horrible? There are several people blame can and will be assigned to.

The photographer wants to blame the agency for sending him such an inexperienced model. He says she doesn't understand his instructions or that he has to almost babysit the model and take him or her thru every single pose like a baby having to be guided through taking it's first steps. Or the model came unprepared, she didn't bring the right clothing discussed, she didn't wax, she was unable or unwilling to do the required looks. I've also heard photographers say the model simply can't model. She can't pose or move. Everything was jerky or incomprehensible and out of context with the theme. It happens but is that all the model's fault? Read on.

The stylist or booking agent might say that the modeling agency sent the wrong model. Or the agency will say the model is exactly what the creative director asked for. But someone will complain that she's too tall. She's not expressive or that she doesn't have the dress size or hair color we requested. Is it the stylist's fault or the agency? Read on.

The model blames the photographer. He was too pushy. He was weird. He spoke too fast. I couldn't understand him. He was not communicable. He was too quiet. I didn't want to do lingerie. I thought we were doing lingerie but he wanted swimwear. I told the agency I only shoot nude. I don't shoot nude; why was I asked. I was cold the entire time. I was too hot. The location was far away. He wasn't good with lighting. He focused too much on lighting. The list goes on. Could she be right? Read on.

I think you see where I'm heading with this post. Everyone has a complaint about someone at some point in time. The simple answer is that it's your fault your pictures are terrible. What do I mean by "your" fault? I mean anyone reading this. In short, it's everyone's fault. It is no single person because pictures can't make themselves. If there are humans involved in their creation and a human is on both sides of the camera then it took both and all involved to create that image.

Most of the problems associated with photo shoots is a lack of preparedness and a failure to manage expectations. This all starts with communication which is why I cannot emphasize enough of knowing and preferably having an open dialogue with everyone involved with your project. Blind photo shoots are like blind-dates in that you don't know who you're getting. Why set yourself up for failure? Study a port. Look for inconsistencies in shooting styles. Models, check the photographer's work ahead of time and look into the ports of the models he or she has worked with in the past. Message one or two and ask how he shoots, if he's communicable, if he's difficult and then decide for yourself if it's worth your time. Ask how long it takes to get pics, do you get to choose them, how will they be used, how much are his or her photography rates? Ask if you're expected to bring your own clothing or will you have help.

Models… go further and ask the photographer if you can bring an escort ahead of time if you need one. In fact, for many photographers its a deal breaker. Not because they're up to no good but largely because they can manage one stranger in their home or business but not two. Additionally, that's one more distraction he or she doesn't need. Don't surprise us. We hate unexpected tagalongs. A photographer shooting from his home or basement isn't unusual. In fact, it is common. If that freaks you out then choose another photographer. But you better believe some of his best work was created in that same garage or basement. Do you believe every single image the photographer created was in a $20,000 per month ocean-facing loft studio? A great photographer can create an incredible image almost anywhere if they have enough space, enough light and a willing model. But if someone is too high brow for a basement then go and pay someone with a huge posh studio willing to shoot a start up model with zero experience. You never know. Maybe you'll get lucky that way. Besides, that option is readily available to you here as well. But that is what portfolios are for. If you saw a scene you like in his portfolio then ask about it ahead of time. Be clear that's the kind of look you're interested in and communicate that is what you're expecting within your level of resources. If that isn't possible with your resources then be sure the photographer communicates that to you. Don't assume they can and will do that just because you brought it up. If you wanted a twentieth floor ocean front balcony view as your background image and you're not paying the photographer, you haven't spoken to them or referenced them with another model or artist that may have worked with them, then you have reason to be suspicious; but that's on you. You have reason to be concerned if you've been told escorts aren't allowed and you're being led into a dark basement in the middle of Idaho looking for the ocean. Some things are just common sense.

Ask for examples of ideas ahead of time that the photographer or director expects you to do. If you're working through your agency then ask them to be specific. If they can't be specific then adapt but don't complain. Beforehand and if applicable, ask if you need to sign a model release and what is in it. If you don't then why or why not? Ask your contact about image use and how many images within reason you can expect. How long will it take until you get images? How will they be delivered? As professionally as possible ask the photographer if nudity is expected or if implied is okay? Provide a visual example of your level of nudity that you find appropriate or inappropriate. Ask the photographer if there is a changing room or if there are bathroom facilities there. Exercise due diligence and work with creatives that consistently gives the kind of quality and performance you want from the beginning. Even if it means working less or collaborating less - choose high quality projects and be deliberately discriminating on your choices. It only takes one bad image to ruin a reputation and scores of extremely good ones to recover your reputation if it can be recovered at all.

Agencies… what can I say about an agency? They're very good until they're not which is to say most often they're not. Call the agency, email them a call-sheet with the ideas along with the model you're requesting. Ask the agency if they can send the model's current pics (this should be automatic and already current but don't assume) to be certain her look hasn't changed. Be sure to cover the aspects of how the images will be used and share your expectations to them as to what you expect them to do and the model that you are expecting to arrive. Confirm arrival times and duration of the project. Do this all and do it twice more. Agencies can be notoriously selectively forgetful and inconsistent. Furthermore, agency turnover is atrocious so who you spoke to this week may be a different person the following week. Therefore, manage your expectations by keeping a trail of documentation of your correspondence.

Make up artists and stylists… share, share and share again. Make sure you know exactly what the creative director or photographer expects of you. Be sure you are familiar with the look and have your kits and your clothing accessories on par with what was shared, planned and discussed. DO NOT assume autonomy over how the makeup and hair will look. Chances are the people you're shooting with will want full creative control over the end result and how it got there. Ask ahead of time which looks will be first and the order of shooting those looks so you're prepared. Suggest but don't demand a sequence more efficient for your application. Why not demand? Well demanding is rude for one and there are things beyond your station in-play. In cases like mine, I've had to take into consideration tide forecast times levels if we're shooting on the beach. If it's the tide is too high when the model is there we're doing indoor looks first if it's on the menu. As it the tide subsides, there are areas we can now get to they were not available when the tide was at the maximum level. Photographers have to consider sun position. Backlit images are best for certain parts of the day. That means shooting a certain look may need to be earlier or later. No one should assume they know everything that's going on. You have to ask, email, call and/or message each other. You've probably been given a mood board of a plethora of styling ideas supporting the theme you're expected to execute. If you're not sure who you're reporting to then ask. There is no shame in getting it right and asking questions if you don't know. Too much pride is often times are greatest enemy. Ask your primary project contact about what you're expected to do and what, when and where you're doing it. Ask for a mood board and ask specifically how much latitude you have on the look and who will manage your applications.

As you can see, most problems can be addressed before a shoot ever begins. When that image didn't turn out like you expected it to then it's probably something you didn't do or neither of you talked about. When model's tell me that they worked with a terrible photographer and the images weren't that great I have to wonder. Did the model even look at his portfolio? I mean really really look as in study it? Did the model reference other ports of models that this photographer worked with? Were they prepared for the shoot or did they just bring what they had or what they wanted to shoot without discussing it with the photographer? Quite frankly I wouldn't work with a photographer I didn't know well if he or she didn't ask me what I was bringing. Wouldn't that photographer want to be reasonably prepared for what the model was bringing even if it's something casual and carefree. I would want to know which background I need to put up or even if I should gas up the car for a location shoot on a collaboration.

When the photographer says a model was stiff and inflexible and just overall inexperienced and haughty, I think… did he meet her first? Has he spoken to her at all aside from her "Hello, I love your work; let's shoot this weekend," messages many upstarts let themselves get entrapped by because they're so eager to get pictures of a beautiful new model they haven't worked with before.

Let me level with you on a little secret. Photographers are prideful and models are even more prideful. They really don't like contacting one another for advice on a model or photographer. They want everyone to see, believe or think they did this all on their on. Yet, the regional photographer and model community is a small one and people talk - if not now then soon. Eventually every nuanced thing, bad habit, good habit, preparedness, lack of professionalism, flirt, whisper or word of encouragement gets passed around. So why not, just manage those expectations, talk to each other and share your experiences to improve your projects. I've been more than disheartened about how many photographers fail to contact us about models. Yes, it has been several over the years but you'd think it would be dozens of times a week at least. Then they complain and whine about what they didn't shoot or couldn't shoot. Or they whine about a lack of image quality or that the model was this or that or didn't model lingerie when they talked about lingerie. Well I might have told you she would do that. Well that's the photographers's fault. We're the one's pulling the proverbial trigger. Even though it's everyone's responsibility, the pressure is on us to perform despite the circumstances that led to the bad images or lack of images.

Retouchers retouch. Stylists style. Models model. Photographers manage, direct, orchestrate, adjust, manage people, often times style, produce, help to design sets, and create the circumstance by which the entire project will be executed. It stands to reason that we would take every single measure to insure the results are nothing short of stellar. Sometimes despite our best efforts, something or someone falls short. But it's not our time to point fingers. It's everyone's fault but ultimately we have to get up, dust ourselves off and see what we can do to keep such things from occurring again. I have found that in the end, it still comes down to communication, preparedness and managing expectations of every single project.

In conclusion, whose fault is it when an image fails? It's everyone's fault. I can't take a picture of another person all alone without the other person.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-61091809012148916392017-05-15T08:37:00.000-07:002017-05-15T09:50:22.170-07:00All Time Favorite Model Finally Revealed

I said I would never do this. I said it was disrespectful. I carried on about how it's a slap in the face to everyone I know and everyone I've worked with. But after days, months and years of thinking about it. I decided to unveil who my favorite model is/was.

First of all why the change of heart? Well people deserve to know because I think she is a source of great inspiration and a magnificent example of poise, grace, beauty and endless professionalism. Additionally, I spoke with one of the most well-known photographers in the world and he chatted publicly about his fondness for one particular model and even raved how she is his absolute favorite. I thought "Wow!" He just shocked me and went against everything I'd ever said and I admire this guy's work like crazy.

I realized, that much of my apprehension in admitting such a thing was because people have a way of disappointing you when you throw all your weight behind them. The second you build them up is the moment they tear you down and crush your every expectation. But I don't own her. She has no obligation to live up to any idealized view I have about her beauty and her infinite talent. She is her own person and I have to accept that and take the gift she bestowed upon me; that is the gift to collaborate with her and create some of the best images I've ever done. Perhaps it was her personality, her confidence or her willingness to simply put her trust in me to basically try everything I threw at her. That's a special and unique thing; not to question, not to get overly disturbed about the unknown but to have an open mind and a willing disposition.

Not to put too fine a point on it but I went back and re-read her interview from SIRCUS™ magazine Issue 10 at www.sircusmagazine.com. Her interview reaffirmed my conclusion that she is the best model I've ever photographed. That interview reminded me of why I was drawn to her in the first place. If that wasn't enough praise, I can easily say that only my wife has impressed me more as a model and that is no small feat. I read and then re-read something in that interview that shook me. In paraphrasing she said, "I decided to be beautiful." You have to read that interview to get the full context. It's one thing to say such a thing. But it's quite another to live it. It was clear it wasn't just idle talk but a philosophy of life. That sat with me. That sentiment grew n me and changed me as an artist. She raised the bar to a height few will ever achieve. That is not to say some will not. I'm scaling back but I have a few more shoots left in me yet. I just believe that Lauren Moon is the best model (to date) I've ever had the pleasure of working with. With the combination of beauty, talent, personality, confidence, adaptability and talent, she is/was my absolute favorite model.

It's not all about beauty, talent or just ability. It's all of those things and yet none of them. She's a special blend of perfect attributes that simply makes everything or everyone else seem a little dimmer in comparison. There were unexpected last minute personnel changes on our shoot with her and yet Lauren never wavered. Without showing the slightest bit of hesitation or doubt she forged on. Creatively malleable without end, she didn't frown with challenges, she accommodated change and even welcomed the unknown. She did it all with a regal disposition and fearlessness I've rarely seen in a single person.

I thought of all the best traits of every model I know beyond my present company and thought what a model might be when it's all put together. In less than a second, I thought of Lauren Moon. Thank you for a great experience Lauren. May you continue to enlighten us all with your grace, your gift and your beauty.

Also a special thank you to model Chanel Alexis and The One that is everything, Trexie Dorrell.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-48519310071945501092017-05-08T14:31:00.000-07:002017-05-08T15:04:32.070-07:00"I Don't Want To Look Chubby"

I've amassed a litany of platitudes from people over the years; platitudes designed to help them cope with their never ending self-loathing and other perceived inadequacies. While many are simply par for the proverbial course, others grate on my last nerve like the dragging of fingernails down the chalkboards of the past. The complaints began even before the shoot day arrives.

"What about the weather? I'm so worried about the weather. What will we do if it rains, blah, blah, blah?" Guess what? Weather happens. There isn't anything I can do to control the weather. Rain chants and dances, sun worship and the deity of light don't do my personal bidding. If you're a smart cookie then you have some contingencies for that eventuality. First and foremost, we live in the Pacific NW. Rain is inevitable. Whether it be right now or later, it's just something you have to get over. If you're waiting on the perfect weather for every single photo shoot you intend to have, then you will not get much done. Our advice is to stop deflecting your inadequacies or your lack of confidence to things beyond your control. You probably just don't want to be outside or get your hair a little damp. But if you're a real model then you've done your homework. Have you ever seen running makeup, or flattened hair in this photographers port because it rained? Likely not. Are you worried about looking bad? Have you seen a picture from said photographer where the model looked "bad?" If not, get on with the shoot. If it rains, it rains.

If there are indoor portions of the photo shoot planned then focus on those. At worst, you get to spend more time on perfecting poses, enhancing and trying out different angles and quite often getting more out of the shoot than you originally planned. If there is an impending deluge in the forecast then one can simply shoot all indoors and save the outdoor segment for a later date if possible. But don't complain to me about weather for a shoot that is weeks away. Not even a meteorologist can forecast that far out so why are you nagging to me about it? Some people I just don't get.

Don't get it twisted. I've had shoots rained out before when and only when the entirety of the shoot was outdoors and it was nothing short of a downpour. A sprinkle here and a sprinkle there never stopped a dedicated model or a committed photographer from getting it done. Situations vary, but if it must be done, there is a good chance that it can be with some adjustments. I've had models shoot in the rain and the pics were epic. Of course, one was swimwear so that worked to our advantage. The other was fashion and the rain wasn't heavy. It was a very recent shoot no more than two weeks ago and the dreary gray skies actually enhanced the general atmospherics I could never have gotten without the dismal looking sky. A bleak sky meant drama and contrast I would never have dreamed of. The images turned out gorgeous. But the model was absolutely incredible. She knew rain was likely but forged on. She refused to cancel. That's dedication. In short, that's a true professional model that understands what it takes.

The second biggest gripe is the "chubby" factor. "I don't want to look chubby" she says. Chubby?!!! Chubby"!!!! If you don't want to be chubby then go to a gym. Wear a girdle. Go on a diet. Does anyone look any more "chubby" (as this prospect says) than they are in pictures I have personally ever taken? Or more to the point, do you consider yourself "Chubby?" Ahhhh! Now we get to the meat of the problem. You feel that YOU are chubby and are worrying and stressing about how you will look on your shoot that has been over a year in the making. But you're an experienced model and you're stressing about looking chubby and then telling the photographer and stylist about it? That's just wrong. What were you doing during that time all those months ago before meeting this person? Apparently it wasn't worrying about being "chubby." Are you not prepared for a photo shoot you have been pleading for and begging for all that time?

Now before any of you get your panties in a bunch, I am not bullying nor body shaming. This person used the phrase "chubby" herself. I personally found her to be gorgeous. I never even noticed anything beyond what I can shoot with her. I don't box people into anything based on some made-up societal stereotype. But I'm gonna do a meet-up regardless. In large part, a meet-up is to set expectations, discuss copyright, image use, take measurements (if applicable), go over looks and ideas and address concerns. But any concern of me making her look "chubby" never came up during that face to face. It came up in a text from her weeks later. It wasn't brought up by me because I saw something in this alleged model that promised extraordinary. Something in her that screamed premium but had yet to be let loose and tapped into. I had some reservations but looks wasn't one of them. My reservations were about personality and the very thing that has occurred. The complainer. The excuse maker. The person looking to find fault with a picture before a picture has even been taken; a self assigned fault that she herself has absolute and total control over.

You've seen me type "alleged" because a real model wouldn't complain so much. A real model might be body conscious about her weight or height but she brings her confidence and her daring. Or he brings his talent and his looks. He or she knows how to pose and angle themselves in such a manner so as to de-emphasize those things they want de-emphasized. Furthermore, he or she would seek out collaborations willing to accommodate their self-proscribed flaws about themselves. Well, I'm not that guy. I shoot people that are ready and able to do what needs to be done. I work with people that are confident, bold and daring as they are beautiful. But what I won't do is appeal to a person's sense of self-loathing as an excuse for looks and posing they can't do or don't want to do. Modeling isn't a field for the docile, the tame and the fearful. It's brutal. It's cut throat and it's beautiful. A model is only as good as the next model who is more bold, more daring, more beautiful and more fearless. It's that simple. I don't care for complainers. I don't get to complain when my lighting doesn't work. I have to look for ways to solve it. I can't say oh it's raining so no need on shooting indoors either. That's a waste. I don't have excuses so I don't allow them from anyone else.

If you don't want high fashion looks then don't pursue collaborations that do high fashion without doing what needs to be done for such looks. If you don't want Guess style looks then you probably shouldn't work with a photographer that loves those looks and want to such looks with you if you think you're "Chubby" and then stress, moan, nag and complain that you don't want to look chubby. Get over yourself. You're not a model. You're a fake. I need to move on to people who KNOW they're models.

One of the things I stress in this particular meet-up is that fact that the model had to trust the process. She has to trust the styling that has been selected. But no one has to do anything they don't want to do so as long as it's made clear at that meet-up or shortly thereafter. You get to change your mind. You get to say, I was caught up in the moment but on further thought, I don't feel comfortable doing that look because I feel chubby. You get to cancel and never call me up again. That's everyone's right. Unless we have a contract signed prior to a shoot, you get to back out and I'm hoping beyond hope that she says she can't do it. I can't cancel. It's just not my thing. Once committed I stay committed even if I don't like a situation because that's what professionals do. But I hope this model cancels if she doesn't feel comfortable. I hope she messages and says I appreciate your time but I need to feel more confident in myself before I'm ready to shoot with you. Maybe she thinks she needs to lose weight. I don't know and I can't speak for her. I wish she would say she wants to take more time to be sure she's ready.

Don't ever say you're ready when you're not. Don't pretend to be a attuned to what we are looking for when you're not. Some people aren't ready for Helios and there is no shame in that. Cancel your shoot before these weeks we have left turn into days or days into hours when my niceties turn into vehement disgust. Cancel your shoot and come back when you're absolutely ready - when you can at least fake being bold. Any less than ABSOLUTE confidence shakes my own confidence in a person. I don't want to spend hours post processing, or dollars in gas going from one location to another hauling equipment because you're gonna think you're chubby later no matter how much effort I take in this prospective collaboration.

But if you must continue, speak nothing ill of yourself in my presence. I need you to know you're beautiful. Don't just think it. I need to see yourself as I do. I see possibilities. I see stunning and breathtaking. I see windswept hair when I see you. I see backlit sunlight glistening against raven colored hair. I see endless creative depth. I see you in slow motion wearing red against a ocean colored sky. I see you lying in a pond suspended on lilies. I see your face with scarlet lips surrounded by white orchids. I need you to believe beyond a doubt you're amazing. I need to YOU TO KNOW that you are Helios material. Do what must be done. Ask for tips. Look for ways to resolve the problems rather than complain about issues that have yet and may not ever manifest themselves.

Worried about a less than narrow waist then get a girdle and practice poses until it's a non-issue. Worried about your hair color then seek a person willing to touch up your hair in line with the look(s). Not sure your hair is thick enough then look for extensions and request to have them added or ask if you should have them put in.

Otherwise, take some time and get your head in order and build some confidence. It's okay to put this off right now; tomorrow not so much - the next day less so and so on.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-1659906855728157522017-04-12T09:13:00.001-07:002017-04-12T09:59:54.241-07:00Full-Figured Models?

Awhile back I was asked on a meet-up, what my policy was on full-figured models. I'm sure I did the dumb Ben Carson slow-blink a couple of times as if I forgot how to speak or what planet I was on. I felt better about it later because I soon realized that no one is as dumb as Ben Carson except for maybe his parents for spawning that vile imbecile. But it did take me a moment to understand the question as I'd never been asked that before. So what is our policy on full-figured models?

The policy is that we don't have a policy on full-figured models. I replied to the model, "I wasn't aware that we needed one." She went on to explain that the Helios portfolio and specifically the published models tend to lean strongly toward very lean, very fit, very athletic physique-types. Well I can assure everyone that that is not by design. It is more than likely by chance. You see, we just find whoever is qualified for a look or style of photography we're shooting at that time. I never pay any mind to who the scout is sending me but more on that model's ability to do the look; her commitment, her enthusiasm, her personality and her talent. We've never cared what her dress size is unless we anticipate getting clothing for her or having something made. I seldom even ask height unless it's necessary for how I'm composing the image later. We generally get everything we need to get from her model portfolio specifications (everyone calling themselves a model should have one) and/or our face to face interview/casting.

On the other hand, if this is a full-fledged Helios magazine submission event and it's a all-hands-on-deck affair, we're gonna want to know everything; every detail. But that's not in any attempt to type-cast or shut someone out. It's more of an attempt to insure that what we do get and what we decide to shoot is well suited for the model's body type.

What we will not do is to make some special accommodations to overcome how a model feel's about his or her own body. That's personal. Those are his or her own insecurities that must be faced. Our changing what I want to do to make you feel better about yourself isn't our responsibility. That's another personal responsibility. If you're simply unqualified for what we have planned and those qualifications are never based on your body but more on your ability and your creative malleability then that's just tough luck. Now if a client commissions us to shoot a model for a size 2 gown then we will go find a size 2 model. But that also applies to any other size model. We have no strong disposition toward anyone. Now if you're a freckled-faced Ewok and you're trying to get me to shoot beauty shots for free so you can submit images to Neutrogena to get a modeling gig then we're gonna have a problem. Someone may find that beautiful but it's not likely to get you far. Some things can't be changed. You simply need to go to someone that caters to the Ewokian (is that a word?) sense of beauty.

Even as I write this my stomach churns as it sounds more like an attempt by me to defend what we shoot and how we shoot. That is not the goal here. The goal is simply to say if you're qualified, if you're paying, if you're available, if you're talented and/or suitable to what is being sought then we're game. There is no policy on body-type being for or against anyone (my stomach turns yet again). Yet, what we have noticed is that those so-called "lean, athletic and stereotypically runway body-types gravitate to us." That's not exactly our fault and I make no apologies for that. The truth is, never in the entire history of Helios did we ever get many full-figured model shoot requests paid nor unpaid. Could that simply be because they themselves feel inhibited, shy or maybe fearful of judgement? I don't know. That's not for me to say. I can't know how someone feels about themselves. I'd always hoped for a more diverse port when I first started out but I have what I have and we're very pleased with it.

At first I was offended by the question from that model. I soon got over it because after looking back through all of my work I can see how someone might think that. Oh, "Helios only wants hot, lean girls." Uhhh, who doesn't? That is, if you think lean, athletic girls are hot I guess. Personally, I think anyone that is qualified to meet the criteria of the look is hot - whatever that may be. That's just us. I do believe this particular model was projecting her experiences from other people onto Helios. I get that. She may have been turned away a few times for less than legit reasons and I can empathize with that.

This isn't the only question of it's type to rear its head over the years. We've gotten the emails saying, "you don't shoot enough African models." A week later we'll get, "you don't shoot enough Caucasian models." Or, "where are the Asian models?" "Why don't you shoot more red-heads?" They never stop to think that maybe Asian models never came to a casting or a meet-up. Maybe African models aren't interested or maybe Caucasian models aren't that plentiful. We don't know. Maybe because we were shooting swimwear at the time and redheads don't generally do a lot of swimwear due to skin sensitivity maybe? Ever think of that? Just guessing here. Or maybe there were no French models that wanted to shoot glamour at that time. We can't chase every theory and we will never try to. This is a matter of you can't please everyone all the time.

The next time you think that Helios doesn't shoot Ghanian models, male models, Iranian models, Spaniard models or French models, full-figured models, older models, short models, blondes, natural hair, Canadian models, etc; go back thru our pics. If you don't find enough of the models you think should be there, then step up or shut up. It's that simple.
Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-25158151870159248792017-04-10T10:17:00.003-07:002017-04-10T10:17:48.690-07:00Why Aren't You More Well-Known?

"Why are you not more well-known? Your work is extraordinary. You have impeccable taste and quality as well as a profoundly strong sense of style." While I genuinely appreciate the compliments, it's not how I really regard what we do or how we do it. In short, I'm just not that vain. My wife may humorously disagree with the latter :)

Now it doesn't mean I do not know my value. I know what we bring to the creative table. I know what such a thing as a photoshoot of the quality and level that we bring cost. It's not exactly cheap but it's far from inexpensive. It's an incredible value for the product that comes from it. We don't cheap work, we do incredible, timeless work.

But more to the point of being "well-known." The truth is I have a lot going on. I'm a marketing professional, a graphic designer and a photographer. It's no one thing. Consequently, I have many projects going on that doesn't always allow me to focus solely on fashion or glamour photography. I wish I could do that and only that. But a guy like me in a place like this… well… I have to wear more than one hat. The bottom line is that I'm busy. So when I do decide I'm gonna do a photography project I take it very very serious. I don't want to waste time and more importantly I want to do it well.

Additionally, I have a profound belief that after a certain point in one's career, your reputation has to carry you. I know I've been negligent in parading myself around and doing what I consider "prostituting" myself in front of socialites, nightclubs and events passing out my business card. I know that's where the people are. But in many ways that approach seems so disingenuous. It's very much not like me. When can the quality of the work speak for itself? I continue to feel that if you want Helios then you want HELIOS and there will be no substitutions. The calls or messages we tend to get are often someone that has been referred or they've followed quietly for a time and finally decided to make that first contact. That means they KNOW what they want and they studied us. They looked for quality, style, consistency, professionalism and taste.

I'm not vain nor naive. I know I have to get out there more. People are constantly on us like, "why don't you move into the city?" Why don't you come to Seattle more? or your name should be more prominent around here. Let me introduce you to a few people." I need to be more active promoting and marketing. I know this because I have a million formal degrees in marketing and decades of experience. I get it. But I'm so dang busy doing so many things for other people. But if someone (a model in this case) is willing to wait for us and meet-up to consider the prospect of something then maybe just maybe there is a chance something may come of it.

Photography and even design in this region are both areas where there is gross over-supply. There are alternatives. I encourage people to look around and if Bill's Glamour Shop or Debbie Glam-Cam Photo gives you what you want then go for it. Isn't that the beautiful thing about this photography market? Don't like this guy then go with that one. There is always someone else. I love this business. Over supply doesn't scare me. In fact, I embrace it because I know that when someone calls Helios, it means that they've bypassed a dozen alternatives. It means they've done some research. It means they KNOW exactly what they want and what they're getting. I'm not trying to make myself hard to find. But I do believe there is some merit in not overly saturating myself with a plethora of false starts and wannabes.

Chances are I don't want that crowd. They don't want HELIOS; not really. They want a fast track, short cut and some quick pictures for Instagram and a way to get more friends of "likes" on Facebook. They can't or wont appreciate the attention to detail, the style nor the subtle nuances that make you look and go "WOW!" We're not a production shop where everyone looks the same and there is no genuine adaptation to your specific taste. We don't do clone photos or design that you can and will get everywhere else. I like to know who I'm working with. I want to know if people see and understand my value. If they don't then that's fine. But there is a chance I'm just not their guy. Therefore, when I'm interviewing someone at a meet-up, we both have an obligation to determine if we're a good fit for one another. Sure, I'm interviewing you but you're also interviewing me. We're not obligated to do anything. It's also okay to say "NO, this isn't what I expected."

Hmmpph? "Not well-known you say." Well not as well known as some think I should be at least. You may not see me at all the events smiling and shaking hands with people I don't know. But if I'm genuinely interested in a cause or an event I'm going to be there giving my full self to it. Otherwise, what is one more photographer begging for attention in this over-crowded field? What's one more "Jim's Pin-Up" snapping photos from the edge of the runway anyway? What is that worth to you? Would it make a difference to you to see me there or would you much rather see what I can do for you specifically? What of you coming to meet to have a frank and open discussion about your wants, needs, wishes, style, taste and preferences? Isn't that worth more to you? Furthermore, if a few miles drive is too far then you don't want Helios type of quality or attention. You want anyone with a camera. But I'll drive a hundred miles or more for something that's important to me. I'll go from one end of Washington to the other if I know that single pair of Prada men's shoes I've been wanting will be there in my size and the clerk is holding it for me. I'll drive that far if a photographer that is willing to talk to me face to face and find out what interests me and take the time to listen to my concerns before we shoot will do so just to insure my expectations and theirs are met.

You may or may not see the company name on a huge Billboard. I haven't decided that yet. But to be frank, I like the idea of my name being mentioned in whispers and shared among only the best of the best models and agencies. "You can't have his number unless you want the best of the best results from the best photographer." "He or his stylist will want to meet you for an interview first if you want a collaborative project. If you can't do that then don't bother." That appeals to my sense of "weeding the herd" thinking. Its a another way to cut out the riff-raff. Now if you're one of those that feel that I'm not THAT good then guess what? You have so many other options and need not bother. Isn't photography and modeling a beautiful thing? There are so many options. Yet, none of them are created equal.

I didn't plan it but in many ways this one to one even rarer collaboration thing has now evolved into a kind of private club I think; at least my collaborative projects have. They're like invitation only or referral only membership. This isn't the proverbial "Fight Club" type of privacy. I'm not hiding. In fact, it's just the opposite. We'll work with anyone that prefers quality over quantity, and anyone that doesn't mind my relaxed and yet obsessive thoughts and opinions about style. As some of you know there is that almost debilitating thing I have about being on time and the fact that forearm hair weirds me out. Just because I feel a french manicure is better than anything and nude pumps should actually be a nude color that matches your specific skin-tone and the fact you didn't bother to know that is tantamount to killing puppies.

Maybe this clears up some questions about the "well-known" aspect and probably raises a few others. You can always ask us right here. Thank you all for continuing to follow and share your thoughts and showing a genuine interests in photography, design and art in general.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-78821694453881744732017-01-02T08:43:00.001-08:002017-01-02T08:45:55.147-08:00Thank You Chase
There is Chase and then there is no one. From the first time we photographed her years ago until this very day, she is the most consistently perfectly performing model ever. She was then just as she is now... unquestionably perfect.

A few weeks ago we crossed text paths and shared a Happy Holidays and Season Greetings sort or message thing. It had been awhile - too long in my opinion. It's always a good idea just to stay updated with the best of the best models if for nothing else than just a chit chat to see what's going on with them. To our delight, she was interested in a photo shoot. We all agreed that it should be something smaller this time around. Something that didn't require a full crew and only called for minimal gear. It had been awhile after all and we knew Chase was a fan of natural looks. Now when a model tells me she wants natural that normally makes me cringe. Once upon a time my mind would have interpreted that as no makeup, no hair styling, no clothing stylist and bad bad bad clothing options. My every instinct would have screamed no freakin' way. It was only after working with her once years ago I realized that when you have the right talent, everything will be fine. In fact, with Chase it's stellar.

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Model: Chase "Whitehill" Rubeor

You see, she's not just stunning but she is also the most gifted and professional person I've ever had the pleasure of working with on a photo shoot. Not to say that no one else is great. Chase is simply... I don't know. I don't want to say "flawless." That seems so final and committed and such words have a way of biting you in the ass later. You just know what you're going to get every single time and it's never ever wrong. She is never late. She never complains. Everything fits perfect and looks amazing on her whether we buy it or she brings it. There is never a mix up on who is doing what or bringing what or going where. She is not demanding or pompous. She is not overly emotional. She is drama-free. She doesn't bring her personal problems to work if you know what I mean. Yet, she's personal and has a cozy personality like a blanket (okay that's weird but you get it). A girl next door kinda personality vibe (that's better) but she just happens to look like and model like an international supermodel (she already kinda has been). She's not gonna break down in tears at the slightest thing (you'd be surprised what we've seen over the years). She has an unmistakable sense of personal style that is both refined casual and classically sophisticated and oh boy she wears it well.

It's really difficult to describe how well arranging a shoot goes with her. We don't need to exchange 30 emails or 50 texts because we've come to trust her unconditionally. I send her one single image of an idea for inspiration and she replies, "I know exactly the mood you're going for. I got it." That's music to my ears. "The Mood." She understands. She gets how this whole thing works. She understands modeling, call sheets, go-sees and test shoots. She gets mood boards and story boards. She's a professional. If I hire an MUA we don't get nervous that she will be late or not show up. If I have a hair stylist, we're not concerned that she's gonna complain about the hair styling or how the clothing looks. There is a mutual trust and respect for one another's gifts and contribution. She does what she does best. We do what we do best and it's always beyond expectations even when we don't seem to ever take enough images of her or see her as often as we would like. Then again, there could never be enough images of her.

I suppose there is one hiccup if any. Availability. We would like to give her solid week of shooting. At least three back to back to back days. Unfortunately, we all have busy schedules and lives to go about. But good things (good people) are worth waiting for. Ten years can go by and Chase will still be Magnificent Chase whether she is wearing Givenchy or Gap, Burberry or Balenciaga. She could be full body air brushed or have no makeup on at all and it's still Chase. If she's not feeling well but committed to doing the project anyway, it will still be the magnificent, high performing, beautiful, professional, endlessly talented and intelligent Chase.

Thank you Chase. Thank you for making 2016 end on a high note and 2017 begin with a sense of discovery and possibilities.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-90586053459087898192016-12-27T08:38:00.001-08:002016-12-27T08:38:38.538-08:00Burn Bridges or Get Agency Representation
In an uncharacteristic move, I took it upon myself to reach out to someone I thought would make a great model for a series we were creating. The goal was to publish, widely market the images and even potentially submit to other publications providing the model made the proverbial cut. Well she very very nicely said she was just too busy on "paid assignments" and not interested. Okay so which is it? Are you too busy or are you just not interested? Well she didn't just burn the bridge, she burned it and buried the ashes in the desert somewhere unknown. Here's why her reply isn't as honest as it appears.

The reply she gave is plenty simple and nice enough. Some might even say it was professional. I think it may have gone better but what did she possibly do or say wrong? What else does this guy want you might ask? She has to make money for her modeling services right? Sure she does. She made the horrible assumption many models make. First she assumed I wouldn't pay. A true professional would ask about the specifics. Where is it? When is it? What is the compensation? What is the theme? I had given an ample amount of information to make an informed decision or to inquire further. But she didn't take it. She blew me off right away and gave that dumb lazy answer of "paid assignments" and "not interested." No worries I thought. That's how it goes. I'm retired so what do I care right?

But as always I genuinely thanked her for taking the time to reply and told her I may consider for something in the future when I need a fashion editorial model that I can publish with all the makeup and hair styling provided for along with designer clothing and accessories. Additionally, that it may lead to a cover that may have made her eligible for a temp web page, free magazine copies and downloads with an extensive social media campaign featuring her as a result. Oh but wait she replied again. She might be available or able to rearrange her schedule for that. Seriously???!!!! I couldn't stop laughing. What happened to "not interested?" What happened to "I'm just so busy making stacks of money? (no-one believes that by the way). No thanks I'm thinking. You burned that bridge to the earth and where there was once water underneath it is now a bottomless canyon. There is no mending that fence.

All is well that ends well. This isn't about me because fortunately I'm not that sensitive. This is about exercising a reasonable amount of etiquette when dealing with potential opportunities. Many people, including myself, often jump to conclusions and make assumptions based on past experiences or hubris. Most often it's just pure pride and ego that has us making bad decisions. It took me awhile to take out the emotion when dealing with certain business dealings and just focus on what is in my long term best interests professionally.

This isn't about the aforementioned model either; at least not entirely. People have the freedom and right to make their own decisions about what they will and will not do. Just like I will not ever offer her any new opportunities ever again. Nor will I ever recommend her for anything no matter who asks. That's my right as it is hers to never come back.

This isn't personal. I'm an humble guy. I'm not feeling myself enough to believe there aren't multiple alternatives to what I do. Yet, I also know my worth, my vision, my skill and technical prowess to execute an idea. I wish her and everyone else the absolute best even with that jacked up sh*t attitude. It's really not her fault. The industry made her believe that having slightly above-average looks was all it takes. She was told she was cute one too many times before it stuck and now she believes the sky is the limit. "Oooh, I beautiful. I can be a model she thought." Yet, she never had the direction she needed. She's simply one example of a much larger issue. Why are there so many non-professionals involved in this industry? What she needs is agency representation.

I know you can't believe it. I said it. This is one of many reasons why agencies exist in the first place I thought. Yeah, there I typed it. I know I know. He actually thinks agencies are a good idea? Well don't get carried away just yet. I think they are great for people who simply don't have the acumen to handle their own affairs among other reasons. This is definitely one of those cases as are many. It is precisely why most of these delusions of making it big go absolutely nowhere. The talent is there. The mindset, the professional attitude and business acumen are NOT.

Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-56663664083789198292016-09-15T21:10:00.002-07:002017-01-10T15:30:22.284-08:00Visual Conceptualization Acuity

Leave it to me to coin a phrase that has zero meaning to anyone outside of the purview of those with an acute handle of high-brow vernacular; in other words, people who probably write too many words to say simple things that just don't sound as good with little words. But in all seriousness I will take a moment to explain what this means as it pertains to different facets of art and the perception of art in general.

I can't explain this concept without first going back to when I photographed fashion, beauty and art model Lauren Moon. For those lucky enough to have a copy of SIRCUS™ magazine Issue 10, I will not rehash just how wonderful she is. You will learn everything you need to know about visual conceptualization acuity just from seeing the pictures and reading our interview with her. For those not so fortunate, I translate the meaning as being able to disseminate complex ideas and concepts into executable and tangible reality.

We easily rank Lauren as the most intuitive models we've ever had the pleasure of photographing. She still has that title. With that said, let me further explain as briefly as possible how we work. This the abridged version. We have an idea. We create a storyboard. We write a few lines describing a scene and often make sketches as to how it may look. In Lauren's instance I even had a dressed sketched and custom made by a designer and styled with a fashion stylist that went with the idea. I sketched out and listed the necessary props, worked with the stylist on accessories and shoes and then had several people included as to how the makeup and hair would be done to tie it all together. Over the course of weeks leading up to the editorial, everyone stayed in touch; briefly exchanging tweaks and corrections in the ideas as the day approached. When the day came, everyone was ready. Using visual cues and prints as I often do I take a few moments to bond with our model (Lauren), going over the story. I told her you're an Empress. You're privileged, beautiful and elite. You want to invoke a sense of entitlement and pompousness. I want you to be spoiled but prim. I want you confident but dismissive. I want you to be sultry and sexy but off-putting and yet desirable and insatiably alluring. I said it once, maybe twice and when she got into the perfect dress for Empress - once the makeup and hair was complete and done by MUAH Lindsey McAndrews, Lauren completely and totally immersed herself in the role. We wanted that... "I run this. I'm all that but I refuse to wear a crown because it makes me itchy (or it's too heavy)" kinda attitude.

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©heliosimaging
Model: Lauren Moon
"Empress" SIRCUS™ magazine Issue 10

You see, a perfect model is an actor; a chameleon. They are adaptive. They can intuit what the photographer needs. Lauren could see the story in the garment and makeup. Lauren could see the styling and understand what she was to become within the context of the whole idea. She understand likely sub-consciously how she should move in the clothing and how she should pose when she saw the color of it and the way it hugged her. Everything was done on-purpose. There were no accidents or guesses and Lauren transformed into an Empress right before our very eyes as we knew she could. That's why we gave her the look. That's why Lauren had so many looks in this issue. That is also why Lauren was the Cover Model. She has the most perceptive ability of awareness than anyone I had ever seen. It made her very easy to photograph. We glided through the shoot seamlessly and without worry. Everything worked beautifully.

A few short weeks later we concluded the remainder of the other looks with Lauren. We had a completely different MUAH (the incredible Dawn Dominick). Just like the first time Lauren excelled beyond anything we had ever witnessed. She brought the vision alive with a heightened perceptiveness and awareness of what the look required.

It's not unlike when a sculptor says the statue was already inside the bronze before they carved it. They simply pull back the layers. It is not unlike the painter who perceives how the light falls across the subject before he even picks up the brush. It's not unlike a fashion photographer or designer that can visually project a garment into a theme or scene even before they pick up a camera or sketch out a pattern.

Good models can take good pictures. Great photographers can take great photos. But to be truly spectacular one must transcend just wearing the clothes and just operating the camera. They must be able to project their will forward; to move their minds beyond what they see and embrace all that may not be immediately tangible. Lauren willed Empress into being. That's pure skill. That's natural ability and no one could have done it. She still has yet to understand how I cherished our shoot and everything that we created. It will remain one of our favorite sessions. In fact, every look with Lauren was equally captivating. It was very rewarding to see her manifest our concept in real time.

That is visual conceptualization in the most simplified way I can word it; with an actual example. Everyone can't do it. Every model I've had simply can't get into character and meld the clothes, the emotiveness and the posing into a synergistic whole. Lauren can and Lauren does. If I say be Barbie, Lauren embraces all that is Barbie the second she dons the clothing, the gets the big curly wavy hair and prissy pink perfectly fitted bodycon dress on. When we say be a Hampton socialite, Lauren laid casually back on a designer woven-back chaise, prim and poised like she owned the place. Then I said Lauren be Cotton Candy, she became teasing, playful, flirty and fun. She saw the storyboard, she saw the inspiration images and owned them as if she was in the moments and became those characters. That is how it's done.

A lack of visual conceptualization acuity is why some of the most beautiful people you know aren't great models. It is also why the most expensive gear owned by photographers do not produce great pictures. They're clear, they're crisp, they're well lit but they have no soul, no character. They lack ambience, mood and feeling. These people struggle. They never make the connection that people like Lauren do intuitively and effortlessly.

When I consider taking on a new model I'm looking for those potentials. I want another Lauren. I want to know that at the very least this person has the fortitude to see it through. I need them to understand they're not just wearing clothes or jewelry. They're inhabiting a lifestyle. They're emoting a feeling and a sense of being.

The next time you look at an image you can't take your eyes from; the image you can't get out of your mind. You see the model in the image, you see the light and composition of it and the garments. You see her expressiveness, her pose and you're captivated by it. Then ask yourself why it works. Why does it captivate you so? It's because you feel the image rather than see it. It stirs you because not only does the model wear it well, she is convincing you without a single word that she lives in that space - in that moment. You see fashion isn't selling you a garment directly. They want to sell you a lifestyle. A perception of the person you will become by owning the garment. The most convincing artist makes you believe.

That my friends is visual conceptualization acuity.

Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-39607154990019790222016-08-30T08:25:00.001-07:002016-08-30T08:25:47.991-07:00Stop Posting Serial Photographs
Avoid those serials. You know what we mean - the serials. Putting up two or three and often more of the same series of photographs back to back to back. It diminishes their effectiveness and awe factor.

Photographers can get carried away with serials as well as models. We fall in love with a model (happens all the time. Don't worry, it's platonic but it will never lasts because we're artists. We're passionate and intense but we bore quickly 😀). Or we fall in love with a look or a series and we want to put up three four or more of the same garment from the same model in the exact same location with very little change between each shot. We're not talking a complete pose change or location change. We're saying a subtle change like she's leaning to her left side on this shot and then the next she leans to the right. Trust us when we say people bore pretty quickly and unless that image offers a unique look or perspective not seen in its preceding image you had better leave it out completely.

People want to be shocked, awed and surprised. The more you feed them the same, the more you'll bore them to tears and they'll quickly lose interests. As a photographer, we have to keep pushing ourselves to be more innovative, creative and forward thinking which is why one of the greatest attributes of the best artists in the world is that they hate sameness. They need to keep pushing boundaries of expressiveness and always wanting more - more sensation and more variety. But when anyone, including models, puts up two or three of the same picture from the same look without staggering them it gets old pretty fast. This is more pronounced with social media. Upon first seeing a picture the reactions are near instantaneous, plentiful and immediate especially if it is unexpected; followed up with a very similar barely differentiated image of the same you can likely expect about a 50% to 70% drop right off the top in the number and time of reactions. What can I say? People just have short attention spans. They're already looking for the next shocker.

If you have a lack of work then stagger the looks or wait awhile between posts. If you lack the patience then you really need to shoot more variety with more frequency. If you still can't do that then you need to shock your audience beyond words. You'll want them to gasp and you'll want to blind them in waves of mind numbing awesomeness with each posts despite those long spans of time between each one. It's one more reason why runway pictures get old really fast. I mean just how many angles of the same runway, in the same dress of the same person do we need to see? Ok runway - got it - check - let's move on. One is ok. Two is bad. Three is horrible. When we saw the first image we got it. Great, you do runway. Bored already. Trust me, they'll wait for you between post if you're good enough. But if you're predicable and keep doing the same thing you're gonna irritate them and your audience will not come back.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-23476508957652140552016-08-29T14:18:00.001-07:002016-08-29T14:18:03.380-07:00To Model or Not to Model Lingerie
To Do or Not To Do Lingerie

It's a question that any and all aspiring models ask themselves at some point during their career. It doesn't matter if a model is in to it for simply the art of it, or just the money - at some juncture the question will arise as to whether or not he or she will ever model lingerie.

People have their different reasons and I've heard them all. Let's start with the "I will never model lingerie" group. The most common reasons given are as follows:

1. I do not wish to objectify myself or my body for the sell of any product.

2. I have too much respect for myself to parade around half naked for anyone else's benefit.

3. I don't have the appropriate body type for lingerie modeling.

4. My spouse would not approve of me modeling lingerie despite me considering it.

5. have a family with kids that would not respect me for showing that much of myself publicly.

6. I have a day job and I risk shaming my employers and potentially losing my job for anything that might reflect negatively on the company.

7. I'm not confident enough or brave enough to show that much of body.

8. I believe that lingerie is intimate and not morally fitting to be publicized to anyone but my spouse.

9. I don't trust anyone to behave respectfully toward me after I model lingerie.

10. There are too many perverted people and I'd hate to see or hear what they think of me.

11. People that dress this way for attention are little more than sexual solicitors. They do it for money or attention or both.

12. These people have no self respect.

The aforementioned are a few of the reasons we've heard and I'm sure there are many we've missed or simply forgot to write down. Modeling lingerie is an extremely personal choice. No one should convince you. No one should inhibit you and no one but the model themselves and their immediate family should be privy to even discussing the possibility of doing so. But even so it's deeply personal and the consequences and rewards of doing so is different for every single person.

What are some of the reasons for modeling lingerie? We've heard several of those as well and they are:

1. My body is my own and no one should have the authority to tell me what I can and cannot do with my own personage.

2. It is not a sexual issue unless you make it one. I do not do so for sake of anything sexual but more so to demonstrate that a person can be beautiful, tasteful and attractive without shame or objectifying themselves.

It is ultimately liberating and freeing and I am more marketable as a model and have had more paid assignments and jobs as a result of being more versatile.

3. My body type is more suited to modeling lingerie than it is for fashion or runway work.

4. have a very supportive family and they respect me, my decisions and they always strive to not just support me but also help me make informed and smart decisions. They participate in my work and there is zero shame in anything I do because I always consider what jobs I will take or not take based on how feel.

5. Lingerie modeling is as much or more so about articles of clothing as fashion modeling depending on what it is being used for. It simply depends on how well it's done and who is doing it. I prefer the fashion-lingerie modeling because of great styling.

6. I've seen swimwear modeling more trashy than any lingerie modeling I've ever done. So the idea that lingerie is bad or objectifying is a matter of taste, quality and perception. I only so high end work so I never have some problems I here about.

7. I work with great people and I know I can trust them and they always have my best interests at heart. They would never do anything to debase me or themselves for a quick buck. I'm also allowed to take part in the look and direction of what is being modeled so as not to be potentially embarrassed about what I see later.

8. There are swimwear lines I would never wear because they're overly revealing and yet there are several lingerie garments that I would wear. As long as it's styled well and suited to my body it works.

9. Society has far too many stipulations about what is and is not appropriate. I'm just gonna do what's good for me and the people that love and support my aspirations.

10. I only want to do high quality work no matter what it is. Quality is key. I've seen short shorts and dresses more inappropriate than some lingerie.

11. I don't want my kids growing up thinking the body is something to be feared or hidden away like some sort of object of ownership. That's part of the problem. We create our own stigmas and often times the more we try to project our own sense of morality onto others the more we negate the positives of being free, being beautiful and having a strong sense of self and authority over our own bodies. It's why their is so much body shaming. We hide ourselves behind these lies; behind veils and stereotypes.

12. It's just not a big deal. We don't live in the 50s anymore. I've seen some of these new dresses models wear and they look like street walkers. These dresses don't show an ounce of skin either but somehow they can still look indecent. Then I've seen lingerie that looked like a sculpted piece of art and when it's modeled and photographed well it's beautiful and I'd be proud to show anyone. I believe it's styling and posing.

Well there are several models that have made great careers never modeling a single thread of lingerie and they have their reasons for doing so. Yet, there are more models that cross style boundaries and delve into many types of modeling, maximizing their portfolio and seizing endless opportunities. Most Victoria Secret models tend to do high fashion, lingerie, casual and even some very very well placed artful nudes even as they got older. In fact, it could be argued that we have seen more VS models model implied nude or nude in the last yer than ever before. Many of these models have families and other sources of income but modeling remains their primary career.

Their situation isn't like everyone else's. Modeling is their life. It's all they do and their fortunes are built on it. For most people starting out, the lines aren't so clearly drawn. It's a tough business and some models feels that modeling in lingerie for nothing but the absolute best designers and for the best photographers simply isn't work the risk despite how much it pays or the potential uptick in marketability.

We believe that anything worth doing is worth doing well. In our humble opinion, lingerie does requires a higher sense of caution when compared to other types of modeling. I recall a model contacting me a few years ago about wanting to do a series lingerie photo shoots. According to her, she had been following our work for some time and she felt like it was time to try lingerie modeling. She knew we shot lingerie but mainly fashion and portraits. In her words, the ideal photographer was someone who could shoot lingerie but with the eye and style of a fashion photographer. "Perfect" we thought. But after sitting down with her a few weeks prior to shooting just to discuss what she had in mind I learned that what she wanted was considerably more risqué then I originally thought. I took it as a paid assignment and did the session in a manner befitting our shooting style and her want of daring looks. It turned our spectacular. We attribute that to taking the time to really establish beforehand what our expectations were and to get a sense of hers. You see, with lingerie you don't get any do overs to clean your act up. It only takes one bad picture to come across looking like trash forever. Therefore, that sitting down and talking about what is and what is not the goal and look is paramount to achieving stellar results.

In another instance we sat down with a totally different very experienced glamour model. She was very clear about her look. It wasn't about garments. It was about her, her posing and her body. Consequently, we photographed her accordingly and again with extraordinary results that went on to be multi-published in a variety of glamour magazines across the country. Another instance, involved a very demure almost timid mature model who physically had all the look of a fashion model but wanted to do lingerie. Sensing her initial anxiety, I sat down with her beforehand and had a frank conversation about the forthcoming shoot and what she can expect and how she can prepare. I even talked about choosing "not" to do the shoot to give her an out because no one needs be pressured into lingerie or feeling committed to doing it just because they'd feel guilty about backing out. Basically I was giving her a chance to back out without hard feelings because we abhor cancellations and no-shows; even the paying ones. Afterwards, I discussed sexy but extremely soft and stylish looks indicative of that same everyday VS style you see in everyday shopping mall storefront windows. With the shoot weeks behind us I later learned that even her mother was ecstatic with the results and if I can make mom smile without embarrassment then I've done my job well.

If you're still not sure if we think someone should do lingerie modeling then let me be clear. It's truly up to you. Naturally we support the decision either way and as a photographer, publisher and designer, my advice is that if you do choose to do lingerie modeling DO IT VERY WELL - just look like the supermodel that you are when you do. Get a perfect style. Choose a phenomenal photographer you can work with on the look to make certain it is extremely stylish, well suited for what you want to achieve and in a genre you want to be within. We would say the same on swimwear or any look for that matter. This is your reputation on the line so it's imperative to get it right. I read a model wrote on her Facebook Page recently that she doesn't want to do anything sexy anymore. I wasn't quite sure what that meant because what is sexy is very subjective. Later I learned she didn't want to do lingerie or swimwear any more but only fashion. Well given her past shoots, body type and height, stereotypically she was already in her best genre. Yet, rules can and have been broken before. Her problem wasn't sexy. It wasn't showing skin or lingerie or swimwear. I fear she still doesn't quite understand this but her main problem was styling and posing. If you don't want to look slutty then you can't dress or pose slutty. It's that simple. For example, to this very day I can't say that I've ever seen or even heard of a trashy or ill conceived La Perla lingerie ad in Vogue or elsewhere; none that offended me at least and I consider myself somewhat conservative. Yet, this aforementioned model kept working with the same people and expected a different results. Hire a wardrobe stylist. Hire a photographer and a different makeup artist and hair stylist. If you're not getting what you want from the people you have you have to change your people or change yourself. You can't shoot with the photographer that pays you in a pair of smokes and expect a La Perla quality photo shoot. It doesn't happen. You have to vet new people, study and learn about why you're not getting the look you want and adapt before making sweeping generalizations and say that it's because you're being too sexy and blame the lingerie. That's just weird when you sound that out. Try it. "I'm not successful as a model because I'm too sexy and I'm not doing lingerie anymore because I'm so hot I look slutty." Dumb right?

Still doubt me? Consider this; ever see a long full length gown, skirt or bodycon dress worn by a model somewhere and felt that it was the most indecent picture you've ever seen? Sure you have. Now consider, have you ever seen a huge billboard or sign with a lingerie model on it and thought it was sexy but not perverted. It was soft and approachable and yet not overtly sexual. You thought it was artful and well style and composed. Of course you have. It's not about what you're wearing or what you're not wearing it's about how well you're wearing it and context. In the right context, the right fitting, styling, pose and light absolutely anything can be modeled well and stylishly. How do I know this? I know because I've photographed and have seen fine art-nudes less sexually provocative than some fully clothed models I've observed online and elsewhere.

If you choose not to ever venture into lingerie modeling or swimwear modeling that's fine too as long as you're doing it for reasons comfortable for you and not because of someone else's reasons. In other words, be genuine and be honest with yourself because I don't know anyone that doesn't want to be or be photographed like a Victoria Secret's model at least one time in their life; if we're really being honest.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-86986037135321531382016-08-20T18:34:00.001-07:002016-08-21T20:53:04.997-07:00Photography is a People BusinessYou can learn every single thing about lighting. You can buy the best camera gear, grip and props. Yet, the thing that truly makes your image great is how well you interact with and engage your subject.

Just this past Thursday I was called upon to photograph a member of a corporate sales team. This guy is the big cheese of financial and sales analytics. He's the number one reporting guy. As you might imagine his professional image is extremely important and he was well overdue for a profile update image for his business page. I was approached directly by his direct manager to make sure he's taken care of from the image perspective. He knew i knew the deal; the upscale, professional, business look with all the fixings. But he specifically added, "give it your special touch." Whatever that means.

I could tell the guy was apprehensive but he really needed the update. I'd seen the existing pxiture and lets just say it's... Bad would be an understatement. But he knew it wasn't great because he went on and on about how spur of the moment it was when he had taken it etc etc. I wasn't setup yet and I told him it would take a few minutes. I didn't even have a camera immediately on hand; my own was clear across town. But he wanted to just hang around and follow me until I was ready. They didn't have great lights either. In fact, they are atrocious little buggers; weak on power with a terrible color cast that was inconsistence every time you turn them on. The camera they had was also about 14 generations behind the tech curve. I worked very hard indeed to figure out how to set a reasonable white balance on the barely functional paperweight. That's all I had - two weak monolights of two different colors in a room the size of a closet with a prehistoric camera that barely turned on affixed to a generic very loud slow lens stuck on f4 aperture all under weak fluorescent office lights. I had no V-flats and no assistant.

It took a few moments to setup but my intended subject was chatting me up incessantly obviously as a means to quell his own nervousness. Hey, I get it. Some people have very real anxiety when it comes to having their picture taken particularly when they don't want to. No amount of expensive gear and lights will make him more comfortable. Consequently, if he's nervous it will show and what you'll end up with is a crappy picture even if you used $50,000 worth of gear. Sure it would be clearer, brighter and in perfect color but you'll have a subject with an expression that says I really don't want to be here. I'd rather be getting a root canal. Fortunately, I've had years of experience with situations like this. If i didnt I'd be screwed because the company is about 15 years behind on having the appropriate gear for this sort of thing. I mean to say without exaggeration that a cell phone on a selfie stick could take a better picture than some of this company's stuff. From pure experience, I knew that the best pictures are always from people who are comfortable taking them and from people that trust you unconditionally do make them feel and look amazing. So what could I do?

Well I did what I always do. I talked to him. I'd subtly suggested a spot for him to stand in without him even realizing it. He was following me around anyway so I just lead him right into the light and stopped in such a manner that had him stand where I wanted him to be which was right against a bright white very boring wall. What that wall was to me was a perfect way to bounce the already atrocious lighting so that this weak camera sensor I was working with could pick up a bit more light. So while I'm pretending to look for stuff I ask him about projects he's been working on. It eventually lead to a few jokes, him laughing himself to tears and talking about some family picnic he was reminiscing about. Now keep in mind I'm shooting the entire time but he barely paid me any attention. His anxiety was gone largely because he wasn't thinking about the little ad hoc photo shoot I'd learned about only five minutes earlier. He was too engrossed in the conversation to care. To an onlooker we were just two co-workers having a great chat about absolutely nothing but trivial BS.

I had changed shooting modes and aperture settings several times even after only a dozen or so captures in to it. You have to do that with sub par gear because crap gear can be so horribly inconsistent. You're never sure which images will be the keepers. I ached for my own gear but I didn't have access to it and quite frankly this gig doesn't cover the expense or risk of bringing out my gear. Besides, it's a very last minute thing.

I finally showed him the first few pictures I'd taken. He was shocked as to how comfortable and poised he looked and even more shocked as to how much I'd already shot. He said he had always struggled with pictures and never quite mastered the right expression - not until now at least. He was very pleased and even wanted to take more pictures with a variety of backgrounds. Well time was of the essence so I kept it simple and put off something grander for a later date.

The main thing to remember is that really great photography involves more than just standing behind your camera with thousands of dollars in equipment. I've seen those pictures. We all have seen those images; crystal clear, technically flawless in perfect light shot from a $5,000 camera with a $5,000 lens but images that are still boring as hell. You forget about them almost as fast as they left your sight. To really bring out your subject's best you need to engage them. You'll draw more of their personality into the look and that is always more appealing than just asking someone to smile (weird). Remember to stay productive while you're directing, adjusting, capturing and chatting. Remember that you're working. You just make it look easy and that always lowers the anxiet and nervousness of your subject. To the untrained eye you're just having a great time and seemingly rarely firing off a shot. But in reality, you're adjusting lights, changing the aperture and shutter speed, recomposing and adjusting white balance all while having them follow you around the space as you get a variety of backgrounds, genuine expressions and real emotions. It's a win-win because you're capturing amazing images, getting a potential lifelong client and probably making a new friend.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-40668716765965968572016-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:002016-08-17T09:08:45.155-07:00Shooting Themes
As you know by now we're really big into shooting themes or looks that carry a common thread. We chalk it up to experience with publishing. Generally, projects that get the most press follow a general idea or pattern. It is the same reason why editorials are published more than just random images. Furthermore, people that participate in editorials as a model, photographer or even makeup artists and stylists tend get more publicity. But there is another reason aside from just having a theme.

Having a theme is critical for editorial publishing and some periodicals can accommodate several in a single issue. Quite frankly a theme or an editorial can be anything but it will often be slated toward the general audience preference and type of publication. But from a purely logistical perspective shooting themes simply make more sense. I much rather shoot just denim for instance, if denim is the general theme; then I know precisely what kind of vibe and atmospherics I'm lighting for rather than try to shoot denim, swimwear and gowns all in the same venue and time unless that's the goal. Models tends to perform better as well. Having a central idea is conducive to her posing and manner of expressiveness.

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SIRCUS™ Magazine Double Cover Edition Issue 9

It's also great for MUAS and stylists. Shifting dramatically from casual to formal then chic to gaudy can create a nightmare when trying control foundation, concealer, colors, eyeliner and then clothing and accessory changes. It's bad for the model's hair and skin and quite frankly there is less synergy because there will always be that visual disconnect because everyone may be on a different creative page.

In summary, themes are important. When I want to shoot denim and that's what I cast for then I really want to shoot all sorts of different denim looks, not bikinis and dresses and lingerie and anything else unless it plays into the theme. Let's do that on another day.

If we're doing swimwear then let's make it a full day at the beach and shoot all sorts of swimwear with different angles, lighting and backgrounds. Let's go to the lake and then to the beach or pool. It's much easier to manage the shoot. The best case for me if we're shooting denim and we want swimwear included then the swimwear should be denim. Oh yeah, denim swimwear exists and it's awesome. Otherwise, I've learned that it's best to have nutlike smaller shoots over a period of time than trying to get all sorts of different looks at once.

The upside is that no one will get exhausted and start underperforming. I believe it's also why SIRCUS™ magazine Issue 9 was so successful. Superior models, great casting and styling and a central theme. Everyone knew it was gonna be and only be swimwear with a few bonus looks. It made everything more cohesive and easier to manage.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-76629125550293489712016-08-08T10:41:00.001-07:002016-08-08T10:41:51.065-07:00What NOT to bring to a photo shoot
What NOT to bring to the photo shoot. We always encourage people to bring only the essentials to photo shoots but we seldom tell them what NOT to bring. Here are a few of things.

1. NO CIGARETTES! There is a 99.9% chance that wherever we're shooting (particular indoors) has a non-smoking policy. Personally I'd prefer no-smoking that day (or week) because I personally have a seriously reaction to the smell of nicotine. I'm talking instant migraine just from people smoking in the car in front of me at a stop light. It's all windows up, AC off and holding my breath until the light changes (pray for a short wait). So we'd recommend wearing a patch or that special gum if you just have to have it. For other type smoke you better be passing and shooting at the same time😀. Lol! I didn't just write that did I? 😀

2. No personal jewelry. Your spouse will understand. You need NOT bring or wear your wedding ring, the special "mom necklace" with your kids on it or other personal jewelry unless it's apart of the shoot. Chances are on shoot day you're modeling other jewelry, not your own. Plus this way you don't stress about forgetting it. Leave it at home or in your purse before your arrive. Ever try to edit out a wedding ring because you want to focus on another ring your model is wearing? It's a severe pain. Trust me. LEAVE IT AT HOME!

3. NO PETS! If you're there to model or assist, you don't need the distraction of a pet. Believe me that unless your cute little new puppy is in the shot, the little critter needs to be dropped off at grandmas. Don't need a distracted photographer, MUA or model. Besides, we don't need the extra cleanup. NO you can't leave fluffy in your hot car either. If you have a pet lion we can probably work with that. Maybe... 😕 Just feed the ferocious guy first.

4. NO Kids. See #3. No we're not saying your cute kid is a pet by any means but same principles - Part of the shoot or stay at grandmas. Get a babysitter and a pet sitter. I hear some people do both.

5. Your BFF. See #3 and #4 If you don't feel safe then you either shouldn't be modeling or you shouldn't be working with this person at all. You don't take your BFF or your spouse or boyfriend to a job interview or to work with you everyday and his is no different. If you must ask or tell your team what you're doing before shoot day. No one like a weirdo fifth wheel sulking in the corner wondering when this will all be over. Also please don't leave your husband in a hot car either. That's just weird and so very wrong. If the moron is paranoid enough to sit in a hot car then you need to reassess your judgement being with this guy and your relationship. Are they your spouse or your master? Hey, it's your pathetic life. We're not judging. Lol!
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-47702027923595755562016-08-05T14:05:00.001-07:002016-08-05T14:05:29.583-07:00Fitness model Gina Perkins
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Fitness Model: Gina Perkins

Gina gives us another look at how she can rock out some denim mini shorts. We're stunned. ❤

Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-51706934315307084112016-08-02T19:25:00.002-07:002016-08-03T22:19:51.933-07:00Gina Rules the World
It is not only possible but plausible. Gina could become one of the greatest Helios models ever.

It started some time ago; years that we first met Gina. Like all first shoots there was that slight but quieted anxiety in the air about what to expect. It's always that way with someone new. You just don't know what you'll get. I know that's how we felt. I'm sure she felt the same. Our anxiety proved to be unwarranted. Gina impressed us and still continues to do so. Even so, since then we've refined our casting process and usually meet prospective models first to eliminate that first few critical minutes of awkwardness. In other words we cast/interview to eliminate potential problems beforehand, discuss expectations, gauge interests and commitment. But I felt a creative kinship to Gina I rarely feel the first time out with anyone. There's just something about her I thought, just like "There's Something About Mary."

Now it's years later and at least three or four more shoots into our creative relationship. I still feel the same vibe. She's just "cool people" as it is often said. But very recently something changed. It was like an epiphany that elevates one's consciousness. Something evolved this last time around; an unwavering new confidence I've never seen her exude before. She was always good and I had no reason to believe she would get even better. She is already near perfect. Who is this new person because we're crushing hard on her?

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Fitness Model: Gina Perkins

She doesn't know it but she has always been my ace in the hole and one of my most desired people to shoot. Sure I say that a lot about many different people but Gina has always been a little different for me. She feels familiar and comfortable even if you've never met her before; like the friendly neighbor you grew up with. Everything is relaxed and unforced. But now Gina has positioned herself to take over my entire creative world. She exhibited a sense of boldness I've never seen since our first shoot. She was soft and yet strikingly fierce. She was poised and delicate but not vulnerable. She was ready for whatever I could dish out. You could tell she was confident and prepared and it was contagious. We were throwing around looks like confetti and she mastered it all with very little effort.

I'd always gotten that from her. But this time she came with a fire I'd not previously witnessed. If this is what we can expect from her then I'm game-on for whatever whenever she wants. She scored serious brownie points for just being a bad-ass this most recent time around.

I only wish I was more available to her. The only hurdle to our taking over the creative universe is scheduling. I'm not exactly walking distance to her and my time of shooting nowadays is limited so people have to get us when they can. When someone asks to change a booking schedule there are seldom any do-overs. It may be weeks, months or years to get back. That's a problem we will have to overcome. But you had better believe that the world is hers for the taking if I have anything to do with it.

The next person up for our "Denimism" series has a tough act to follow. Gina is no slouch on anything and she killed it.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-34906337770206912702016-07-27T10:50:00.001-07:002016-07-28T07:10:20.706-07:00Rejected! The Worst Portfolio Bio Mistake
Earlier this very morning I was going through the portfolio of someone that gripped my attention. 6'1" tall. In my opinion, her height simply makes her all the more striking. Height is my thing. She has a gorgeous lean figure, poised and nearly ivory skin with a physique reminiscent of the perfect stereotypical high-end runway model. I went thru her port images first and by any measure they were good; very good but not quite great. Not in their entirety anyway. It was like mediocre mixed with fantastic; light on the latter. But that's a subjective thing. One person's okay is another's perfect. Then I read her self-written bio and profile information. That is when my fascination ended.

Word to word, sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph made me think that working with her is just a terrible idea. It was a novella of all the things she "MUST HAVE," and things "SHE CAN'T OR WON'T DO" and how much money she has to make for it to be "WORTH HER TIME" and "YOU MUST SIGN MY WAIVER." Who in the hell is this person was all I thought? She's good but not THAT good. The entire novella full of vanity and conceit. All of it was negative, red light, STOP, WARNING, DON'T GO THERE and I wanted nothing to do with it. She felt entitled to these insane demands. You would think that a person making demands like this portfolio could stand up to a more critical eye but it doesn't. If offers promise and potential but not stellar, mind blowing extraordinary work indicative of a fashion diva.

It's amazing how one's attitude and disposition can change a person's perception of them. I had even directed a stylist to her pictures and after briefly speaking with a stylist about her we decided to take an even closer look. What started off with me hovering over my email send key to invite her to a meet as a candidate for a special project we are working on; a project that could very well lead to big things and great exposure for her, ended with a cancel. But as always, we paused to read what she had to say about herself. Wanna know about someone? Just read about what they're saying about themselves and see how much unwarranted vanity shines thru. It was the greatest professional turn-off I've ever read. EVER! I don't care what she thinks she looks like but she should have made sure her port could withstand all the bullshit she was throwing around. Hey no one is perfect. But suddenly, she just didn't look that great anymore. All the potential we had for her evaporated. Then we start noticing flaws and blemishes. Then you think you see poor styling choices for her frame and how bad her teeth are or the hair with split-ends because she dyes too much. It's a horrible thing to say about anyone because some of it may have just been our minds trying to cope with her horrible bio. A bit of it may have been imagined but you do start to notice things about a person when they open themselves up to more scrutiny. However, in our defense, she coins herself a model and scrutiny is just part of the biz.

One of the most damning things we read was "I must approve all images before they are released and you will be made to sign an agreement to my rules before the shoot starts." We were floored. Who the hell is this person that would have the audacity to tell me what I will do and won't do with my own images? I find it curious that anyone else would ask to approve images before they are released. I don't mind going thru the shoot's images while the model is there. In fact, I rather enjoy it. In totality these unjustified demands from this model makes her not a person you want hanging around after your session. She is not a creative director of a magazine or even a fashion writer or art director. She is there to model and nothing else. How about this? How about she just not take any images that she would not want released. Or maybe just do selfies because then it's always perfect and the way she would want them to be every time. Problem solved. For example, if you don't want nude images of you released to the Internet for all to see, how about you just not take any nude images that may be put on the Internet. Or perhaps she needs to simply better vet potential photographers, stylists or makeup artists.

I don't know her history but I don't know of any reputable photographer that would grant such rights - for a now what seems to be, a second rate candidate. Photography is about creative freedom with or without a financial imperative depending on your business model or why you do it. Why would anyone bottleneck that freedom? She just seems to be one of those people that you are never going to please so my advice is that any photographer, makeup artist or stylist that still chooses to work with her despite every single sign to STAY AWAY is this - Pay her! Pay her because once the pictures are taken, you owe her nothing; no pictures, no follow ups, no input no nothing. The payment is the agreement should she choose to take the job and draw up a legal contract to that effect. She has zero say on anything because the money she takes is it. Of course, you can negotiate other solutions but that's usually how paid shoots are supposed to go. Sign here. Snap snap. Pay. Thank you and goodbye with an understanding that you may or may not ever hear from me ever again. Sometimes it's the best way with such people you just absolutely have to work with or want to work with.

I'm not the only creative that feels this way about certain people. I've spoken with several photographers who much rather pay outright than have to deal with anyone again. They own the images anyway but they feel it's just a much better solution to not have to deal with potentially overly needy talent. Services Rendered. Service Paid. Easy! After reading this person's profile, we don't even want to pay her or trade or anything. It's just bad bad bad all the way thru.

It is regretful despite all that. She is wonderful if in nothing but physical stature. We will not take that away from her. She is also comparatively very attractive but that's where it ends for us. It's just not worth it. We encourage anyone and everyone to take care of what you say. Write about what you want to do and not bragging so much about what you've done. Keep it simple. Make yourself agreeable and easy to approach. If you have demands (everyone does), keep them straightforward and simple. Make sure people understand how and why these things are important to you with a phone call, an email or preferably meeting them in-person.

Our only regret is that she will likely never read this. She will never learn. We're not sure how she stays busy or working but we hope she is doing well in her modeling. She claims to be signed and maybe her agency is feeding her this madness. We're just not sure. If they are they're just turning people away from a potential very fruitful and beneficial career. Despite what happens she will not be working with us. Email Draft Pending… DELETE.
Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-47532071309175746262016-07-26T09:13:00.001-07:002016-07-26T12:41:50.548-07:00The Recipe for the Perfect Photoshoot
It is a common practice of ours to meet models we wish to publish face to face before undertaking any serious project. Generally it's non-negotiable. Given the extreme time, effort and expense, we feel that not only is it an opportunity to get to know the model but it's also a wonderful chance to go over looks and set expectations on how the project will unfold.

The establishment of trust is a key component to working with someone new. It's something that needs to happen as fast as possible and when it's reasonable to do so I'd rather have that out of the way before shoot day. When it's shoot day we need all the extra time we can get for potential wardrobe issues and spending more time with makeup, hair styling and on actual production. I'd rather not spend all that time trying to get to know everyone for the first time.

A confident model is a fantastic model and it can often take a bit of time to warm up to a photographer's shooting pace, style and his or her general way of communicating what they want to see. One of the most beneficial things I've done when meeting face to face is to actually give the model prospect visual and auditory cues as to our process. When I say this I mean this (showing a pic) or when I say "own it" or be more expressive I mean this (pointing at an image from the storyboard). I emphasize that I don't want to copy the looks. I want them to absorb the mood of it, the idea, the feeling and make it their own. It can often start with a storyboard if it's an editorial and at least sample picture(s) I've put together even if it may not be an editorial.

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Kim Jonet

You see, I shoot mood, feeling and atmosphere rather than just taking a picture so the vibe of the shot is really what I'm after. Providing the model understands the idea, it gives her a great deal of latitude and how to take it beyond just a picture but into something more profound bearing her unique visual and expressive signature. I'll show the model sample images from wherever I can find them that I think best illustrates my perspective and our objectives for the shoot. I categorize them by look if the shoot entails more than one change. If it's a single editorial then I will give her the background story and show an image or two we think best conveys that feeling. It's up to her to take it the rest of the way. These things can't really be talked about via email and text unless I've worked with her before but even so I prefer to meet if it's more than a common photo shoot. It makes meeting face to face ever more important and I consider meeting first a courtesy shared by each of us. Sure it can be a little inconvenient but it shows how much you respect he process, how engaged you are and how important it is to you to get it right. Often times it eventually leads to that model becoming a cover model maybe not always right then but sometimes in the near future because statistically those that meet first outperform those that do not. Why? The model and the other project participants are more engaged, they're more confident, they're more vested in the outcome. They've also proven they care about the results more than some common passerby and as such they give more of themselves to the process. That's worth more to us than ten passerbys because the results are always extraordinary.

When she arrives the model is thinking sure I may be a little nervous but I already know this guy. I know what to expect. I am comfortable with everything we've discussed. I may even try some new things I've always wanted to because he's given me a license to be myself and take ownership of the idea. I'm exactly what they need for this editorial. I got the final call to do this when no one else did. I'm not a backup. They've already seen me in person. I've been measured and fitted and the clothes will be perfect. I'm their first choice and I will now show them why I'm even better than they already know I am.

A confident model. A photographer confident in his or her abilities and a competent team is a flawless recipe for success.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-28077153772799081672016-07-21T15:23:00.000-07:002016-07-22T13:54:13.707-07:00A New Model Search for a New Idea
I've had this idea in my head for the last 18 months or so. I've kept it to myself because quite frankly I just haven't had the time to cast a model or number of models for the series and sit down and map out an editorial story for it. I still haven't quite nailed down the model for the series yet but I figured I'd get something just to hold me until I do find my model. In comes Kim.

Now if you've read how I carry on about her you would know that she's often described by me as sexy-quirky and she hasn't changed a bit. I had zero plans for her to do any of these looks. Not because she isn't perfect. On the contrary, as you can see she is more than capable. It was to be something of a mashup of beauty mixed with glamour with very dramatic lighting effects. Kim is a perfect blend of extraordinary beauty and glamour. My decision to not use her stems from a need for a new face, variety and simply just the want of something fresh. Forgotten was the fact that here is a stunning capable woman willing and able to do anything I wanted done within reason. Kim would do it not just because I asked but she would also do it to show me that when pushed she could do it. You can't but love those kinds of models.

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Model: Kim Jonet

I still shared the idea with her if for nothing else but bouncing it off someone else. I didn't have a sample pic or anything to show her but I guess after working with me more times than I remember she intuited where I might be headed with it. After a few minutes she pulls up this article of clothing; the one in this pic. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. My first question is always the same. "Have you ever been photographed in this before?" That's kind of a pet peeve of mine in case you didn't know. She said "no. It has been sitting in my closet collecting dust for nearly two years. I just didn't know how to use it or what to use it for. I knew I should have shown it to you before but I kept forgetting it was there. Do you want it?" Is she serious I thought? As if my slack jaw didn't give it away she waited with a sneaky smile for a reply. I think I died and went to heaven again. That's twice in the span of two minutes I think. She was saying all the right things as usual of her.

It was perfect. One of the first things a fashion photographer learns to do is envision how something will look on a particular frame of model. How it fits, how it will hang and hug all flashed through my head within a millisecond. That will dictate the angles and the light setup for maximum effect. I knew Kim would be the one to wear this glorious thing for me. It was just too perfect for her body and if pushed just hard enough, Kim can be immensely expressive and emotive which is what this situation called for.

While she will not likely be my final model for this series, she kicked it off nicely. Her successor has some work to do to follow her. That's for sure. Maybe a dozen or so pics later we're jumping up and down hugging as to how epic it looks. She was happy she got to use the garment and I'm just happy that she's happy. I finally kicked off this series the right way with the right model.

It ended up being just a test shoot for this a larger idea and it was wildly successful. I've named the series and planned it out but now comes the even harder part. Who will be her successor? I'm starting the hunt right now.

Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-82627515126633928392016-07-21T09:33:00.001-07:002016-07-21T09:52:45.097-07:00Why Have a Model of the Year?It is for exceptionally talented individuals that demonstrate excellence, poise, professionalism and a drive to succeed. It is not handed out to those that feel entitled or that reek of privilege and expectation but solely for those individuals that show inexhaustible diligence and unrelenting positivity. They create, they inspire and they always attribute to others in a way that makes them want to be better people, better friends, better neighbors and better artists.

While it is something that we do not necessarily have to do, we felt an obligation to recognize how absolutely rare and wonderful such people are. They make us better. They inspire thru action and encourage others thru sheer perseverance, optimism, talent and warm personality.

The Model of the Year DOES NOT give up. They DO NOT retire. They DO NOT dwell on regret. They DO NOT hold grudges. They are NOT content with sameness and mediocrity. They are ALWAYS looking forward to the next challenge with a magnetic sense of character and steadfast dedication to everything they do. One past Model of the Year says, "I will not stop until I achieve my goal and when it is won I will set another. There was a time when there were things I would never consider trying. Soon I realized I can't grow as a person that way. I can't experience life or develop as a model that way. I have to keep trying new things." To paraphrase another Model of the Year, "I will travel as far as I need to, move to wherever I have to, go anywhere if it will help me improve upon what I already have. I also thank everyone that has helped me get this far and coaching me along the way and I am eagerly anticipating meeting even more people and overcoming even greater challenges." Even another says, "I will never retire. Quitting isn't in my personality makeup. Whenever I accomplish one thing I'll simply bore and shrivel if I don't try another. It is how I thrive and mature as an artist and as a person."

They don't just say these things. They live these personal philosophies all year and all the time we have known them. The "Model of the Year" title is just a title. Yet, it represents something for greater than words or trophies can show. It represents the exceptional, the unique, the bold, the fierce, the driven and the true.

When we discover such people; people that make us want to rise and not give up - we want to recognize how special they are and let other people know it. After so many years amid a sea of seemingly endless talent, there is always a single wave that towers above all others. The Model of the Year out-crests them all.
Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-49953129768055219462016-07-20T08:47:00.001-07:002016-07-20T11:03:56.979-07:00Why Photographer Takes Stellar Photos But Not Of Me?Just last night a prospective collab asked why it is that some of even the best photographers seem to be able to take better images of some models than they do others. I had a few theories as to why and she certainly didn't like either of them.

She cited a personal example of having carefully and thoroughly vetted a photographer. She looked through his port and all throughout his social media sites and saw nothing but extraordinary premium quality images. The photographer had been published multiple times in various magazines and had even been interviewed a few times by others as well as being a part time instructor. In other words the guy knew his stuff. But when this particular model worked with him, her pictures were amateurish at best. To be frank with her, I had to admit they were bad; very very bad. They appeared to not even have been done by the same guy. Had I not seen this sort of thing before I would not have believed her. What gives?

Well it could be several things that could have attributed to the problem. Some of them having very little to do with the photographer. Hold on now. I'm not suggesting he didn't screw up royally. He most certainly did fail miserably. After all the final call is often his as to what is and what is not an acceptable image.

As a photographer I can tell you that we are very finicky about our reputation. It was a simple exercise to figure out what happened in this case. I just applied a bit of deductive reasoning to her case. All things being equal, if every image of other people by him is stellar and hers is not then you can narrow down the problem by eliminating the uncommon potentials. Whatever remains is your culprit. In this instance we have the same photographer, with the same gear in the same location. What is different? The model is the only difference. Even that is to say that it may or may not have been her fault either. Maybe he was having an off day and just didn't care or couldn't focus. Maybe she was not quite herself that day either. But what happens when this happens over and over again with the same model? I'd say they're just not vibing. It happens to even the best people. There is simply no creative chemistry there. I see it happen most often when the photographer is accustomed to having most of the creative control or he or she has a stylist on their other shoots but instead on this shoot the photographer allowed the subject to dictate the creative and style direction of the shoot.

After talking more to the model I learned that there was very little communication or preparation prior. After almost bullying him to do a rare free shoot through dogged persistence, he gave in. I just don't think he was as committed to it and decided to forego his usual vetting and styling process to save time and effort. It would seem he normally shoots with models of a very certain type; young, signed, very experienced, tall and lean. She met part of that list but not all. That part is his fault. If you don't want it and you can't or won't do it well then don't do it. How did I know it wasn't styled or planned? She said as much and I'd seen her wear that same exact clothing with multiple photographers far and wide. It was just a tired and played out look with garments that quite frankly had no business on a photo shoot. She just doesn't know she's not a good enough stylist for this and he didn't tell her otherwise. Again. His fault.

After more questioning I leaned that they really hadn't planned on anything in particular to shoot. She didn't volunteer what she was bringing and he didn't ask. Even I don't meticulously plan out every single detail all the time but I do like to have a rough idea of what we want to accomplish if nothing else. If it's someone I know very well photographically then I will forego most if not all of that due to our familiarity but never on an unknown. But given this photographer's port I can't imagine he just wings everything given the detail and grandeur of every look from different models.

So whatever have here are several things causing her problem and less than stellar results from what is otherwise an extraordinary artist.

1. A lack of Trust - never worked with her before and didn't work to build any kind of camaraderie or familiarization with each other's style or experience. They were unevenly matched. If you have trouble completely relinquishing visual and creative control to another person then modeling may not be for you. Sure you can choose who and who not to work with. Once the commitment has been joined then you as a model have agreed to be shaped, molded and finessed often to someone else's eye depending on the project. The photographer as to give in to another's will often times when a creative director is present or if the model and the photographer have both conceived an idea to work together on. But when the time comes full and total trust that he knows what he's doing and she knows what she is doing is paramount. In short, you've established an understanding for the entire project.

2. Poor communication - setting expectations is a key component of every project. What are you trying to achieve? What would you like to get out of this? Where will these images be used? How much time are we shooting for? How soon can you arrive? Can you provide an example of your idea or describe it? What genre? Or are we just having fun and seeing what happens? Who will be doing the editing? Sharing ideas or asking for direction. Gauging the other's primary creative interests.

3. Resource management - what do we need to accomplish our goals? What are you bringing? Who will be responsible for what? Makeup, clothing, hair, accessories, assistants, props? What are we shooting?

4. Over your head - don't pretended to know when you don't know. Just because you think your clothing is bomb doesn't mean that it is. Ask the person who knows. If you're really going hard after a person whether or not you're the photographer or the model, it's important to know when you're outclassed and you may want to seek the other's advice on things like styling, posing or even lighting. But never invite yourself unless your opinion is welcomed.

5. Know your role - let people do their jobs. If you're gonna model then be a model. Don't start dictating to the photographer your best angle or how to place the lights. That's the photographer's expertise. That's why you're here remember? It's because they're the best and you want to work with them. If you want to be a photographer then be one but don't try to be both and frustrate the photographer by telling him or her what light works best on you or how to edit your pictures. Trust me, they don't want your opinion unless they ask for it.

6. You're not ready - sometimes you're just outclassed and not ready. Don't beat yourself up. There is a reason his pics are incredible or her port is amazing. Some people don't match or don't match right now. You may need more experience or better styling before you step up or accept a project. You should always strive to work with people that are perceivably better than your are. That's how we improve. We learn from others and apply those good attributes to our own process and style. Yet, sometimes it's best to just back off for a bit and get yourself primed before stepping into something or someone currently beyond your skillet.

7. You're not her - you've seen the ports and you have to understand that everyone is different. Everyone is unique. You're not gonna ever look like the girl in the picture because that's not you. You have a different bone structure, different hair, you're taller or shorter. You may be wider or thinner or even heavier. Be honest with yourself first. Set reasonable goals. She's 100 pounds and you're 150 or vice versa. Unless you're edited beyond recognition it's not happening. It's okay to use an idea but make it yours and put your own signature touch on it. Embrace your uniqueness and most often your results will exceed your original idea.

8. Trying to please - in a side example of what not to do I asked another model why she put an obviously less than stellar pics on her social media Pages. She admitted they were bad but didn't went to offend the designers or the photographers that produced them. Well that's on you in thought. It's your brand and your reputation. I quietly but vehemently disagreed. This is a business and if you're a model or a photographer it should be your goal to your brand identity with unrelenting diligence. I'd equate what she did on her Page to a restaurant serving contaminated food knowing it was bad but served it anyway because they didn't want to anger or disappoint their suppliers. That makes absolutely no sense to me but I let it pass because from that point onward I questioned myself on whether or not I ever wanted to work with someone who would allow such images right alongside my own. Does that not call into question her decision making and style acuity? Yes it does. It also undermines the very reason people come to me in the first place. We don't collaborate with just anyone and just because you're nice or sweet isn't reason enough to ruin my business or my rep. All it takes is one bad photo for people to say what was he thinking. I try to minimize those instances.

All of these issues that I discovered with her and many like her attributed to her problems. Even after all of that is addressed and considered some instances just don't work out. Despite how much I can like a person's style, how they look or even their current work, sometimes people just can't quite sync on a creative level. It's best to just let it go because every single bad picture you take is ruining your visual brand whether or not you're the photographer or the model. Digitally it will lasts forever and you don't want that blemish on your rep. Always choose quality over quantity.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-41500604300266659802016-07-16T13:28:00.001-07:002016-07-16T13:28:49.758-07:00Married to a Model
It's tough being married to a model. They're always traveling. Your model/spouse always has dozens of people swarming all over them, inviting them to parties, shows, events and so on. They're seen changing in front of strangers, people they barely know - people adjusting and repairing wardrobe malfunctions. It's also not great having the feeling that some stranger on the other side of the city or the world knows what colors are best on her than you do. It takes a very secure person to be married to a model. Yet, the way to survive it is easier than you know.

Despite often wondering when your super in-demand model/spouse is gonna give it up, you (the lonely at-home one) soon realizes how much your model/spouse loves it. You know that if you ask her to give it up and stay home, she'll likely hate you for it later; not now and maybe not next year but at some point it's likely gonna be some friction about it. You know it's best to let her come round on her on without any pressure from you. You may haven't realized it yet but modeling for her is in her blood. It's not a fanciful pastime. It's a passion. Once a model. Always a model. It's not switch that can be turned off which is why it's so difficult for her to stop. Despite her doing so for years, if she's honest with you and herself she doesn't want to stop; not ever.

It's not her fault. She's good at it and she loves it. Don't feel bad. You're paranoid about her being alone or finding that her glamorous life will soon find you boring her to death when she finally makes it home for a minute.

It's okay to feel a little threatened. She's around other beautiful people male and female everyday all day; people telling her night and day how perfect she is, people giving her gifts and exotic trips and spoiling her with affection in fancy bars, clubs, villas and cafes the world over. You're at home likely changing a pamper wondering who might be pawing on her next, or you're at a soccer game cheering your pre-teen on in a sole voice of familial support.

Do you know where she is? Well after all the dancing, seasoning engagements, video recordings and posing is over and the lights are out and there are no more catwalks to be walked today, she's in some quiet hotel room thinking about you and how she can't wait to get back home. You're her rock. You're her support. You're a steadfast pillar to lean on and that consistent strength that allows her to do what she loves with vigor. That's why she's so good. That's why designers, stylists and photographers want her so. Your support gives her even more zeal to excel. The strangers don't know where her aura, confidence, talent and strength comes from. It comes from you - her foundation and the one she will always come home to. The one she loves and gives her unswerving loyalty.

So the next gig that comes along don't scowl, don't fret or whimper. If she wants to pass on it let her make her own decisions. Instead offer her your support. Help her book the fare. Help her choose a bag for her pumps despite your color blindness and lack of fashion sense because when she's half a world away in a dressing room she'll be thinking about how bad you are with colors and laugh at your sad sense of style. She'll giggle about your thinking that gray is good with everything. She's thinking about how much you support her and then she'll get on her next catwalk or photo shoot and kill it.

If you're truly supportive you'll see it in her face when she meets you at the terminal gates. You'll see how grateful she is that you're there smiling again with your pre-teen future soccer star; exactly where she thought you two would be. She'll be happy that life is truly beautiful because she loves what she does but she loves that you love her enough to let her.
Wil Randolphhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888103434167126445.post-73199435263804183832016-05-28T08:47:00.000-07:002016-05-28T08:55:38.823-07:00InstaDamn or Instagram?
I know what I am. I am an antiquity. I'm the last hold-out from a bygone era of dusty old principles; principles that are slipping away into obscurity and short on digital relevance. Nearly everyone I know has joined Instagram. I fully support and respect the reasons that they do so for THEM. But I'm still holding out for something better. Those icky Terms of Service are still terrible and carry a stench of foul but subtle manipulation that preys upon the wishful thinking of it's would-be users.

Let us first briefly state what social media is. Social media is about those who see and those that want to be seen. It's about finding and sharing new ideas. It's about discovery, opportunity and connection to other people, other places and things. But it is also a he-said she-said environment. It can be petty and cruel. It can be used to bully, prod and poke. It can be used to incite fear and divisiveness. It's also a medium for the trivial and pointless driveling rantings of the would-be obscure. It's a sanctuary for discourse compressed down to snapshots selfies and what has become barely a semblance of language edited and shortened for mass consumption in the briefest time. We're a society on the move. No one reads anymore. Nearly no one retains information, have conversations of philosophy over the nuances of life or the human condition. But unlike other avenues of connection in the past, social media did not fulfill a need. Social media created a need. A need for instant gratification for a society overrun with millions of distractions seemingly per second, a short attention span and even shorter memories.

Yet, all is not in despair. While I may paint a world destined for a dystopian future of mindless beings, social media has created opportunities. It has provided a means for connectiveness to people and things that may have otherwise never crossed paths. Millions of business dealings have grown from social media. Businesses market and promote thru social media but no longer because they want to but more-so because they need to. It is quite frankly where people are and where they commune. But the details of that is for another post. This is about Instagram within the context of Social Media at large and why I feel like the last hope for mankind's sanity as I hold out indoctrination into the herd.

About four years ago Instagram was hit with what appeared to be a PR nightmare. I'm paraphrasing here so feel free to correct me. They modified their Terms of Service that essentially implied that any and all Content could be used for advertising by them and that you are agreeing that you have full uncontested rights to the Content and if it should be that you do not have such rights then all legal responsibility for such use by THEM falls back on you. Basically anything you uploaded was theirs to the extent they could market, promote, distribute, possibly sell or pretty much do anything with your own Content as a condition of using their app and if they are sued due to your misrepresentation of that fact then you would be liable. But in turn, you cannot and will not use any such Content created by them. People were outraged that a company would basically take your Content and use it commercially without any consideration to you. Or is there consideration? Of course. Read on.

Wait a moment! Don't you have to agree to the Terms of Service before using the app? It is your choice to simply say NO correct? That is correct. The consideration they're offering is use of their service. Yet, the social media community was outraged as was I, even though I had and still do not have intention of using the service. It was the blatant callousness of their claim to Content that doesn't belong to them that irked me. That were asking for people to agree to give them use of my work without anything further than an app use? I couldn't fathom that. Why would I do that? It doesn't even make sense I thought? Millions of people apparently don't feel that way. They'll give away anything for the promise of consecutiveness. I had no idea people felt that hopeless and alone. However, I was outraged over the 'feigned' anger from the general public as well. People could simply say No and move on to an alternative service. I did. But they had much rather bitch and moan; cry and plead for what they perceived as a lack of options as if Instagram was some kind of public utility necessary for social, economical and financial welfare of humankind. I was sickened by people's naïveté.

As someone that creates and/or works with video, photo and web media each day, I am both intrigued and disgusted how Instagram placated the masses with a dumbed down version of the same Terms of Service language. Sure they tweaked it. They sought to soften the blow of their Terms of Service. It was as if they took out the well written legalese and simplified it to the dumbed down vernacular of social media from which it came. Remember I'm paraphrasing here but put simply, they nearly said the exact same thing as the original language; at least in areas that are relevant such as use of Content. You are still responsible for any legal problems they incur for use of Content you upload that may not have been yours. No problem for me because I am a Content creator. But Instagram can use your Content without any costs to them. As part of agreeing to the terms of service, you have to accept that ALL CONTENT is owned by you and that you have rights to license the Content for use by them. Now what does that mean? It means you have to own copyright to what you upload or be legally responsible for such upload in every conceivable way. No picture I have ever taken to date has me willfully licensing it for use by a third party without my written consent with consideration. So how is it that Instagram can ask someone I have photographed to give away and license Content for use that does not belong to them? They just do. They don't care because their Terms absolves them of any wrongdoing. It puts app users at legal odds with the original Content creators they take images from. Yet, Instagram washes their hands of it and puts all blame on the user - the user of their service. It's a brilliant strategy by Instagram. Yet, it is a silly and even irresponsible strategy to even use the service by someone that is not the original creator of the Content.

If I create a photograph, upload it to Instagram, run through or choosing to bypass their icky and terrible photo filters and then on the off-chance they use it in an ad promoting themselves (or affiliate) on a huge billboard or television ad, then I'm the idiot for using their app and not getting paid for that use despite my Owning the Content. I would never willingly assign those rights without some consideration. Now let's say a person uploads a photograph taken or created by a photographer (me). Chances are the uploading person DOES NOT own and cannot license that Content to someone legally. If by some chance I decide to sue Instagram for Copyright Infringement, Instagram would have the person who did the upload bear the brunt of legal fees - as they should (according to their terms). If you're an Instagram user then that is what you signed on for. What if Instagram uses the images in a manner that violates our Model Release/Image Use agreement that you signed? Ever thought of that? That means you, (the app user) are liable. Not Instagram.

Why would I care if Instagram uses my Content, that I own for commercial purposes and make money from it? Because it is mine and to use and promote how "I" see fit. I cannot and will not GIVE that away. My Content has marketing value to me. It has marketing value to the people I photograph and create it for but by any extension I would not GIVE that value away nor assign it to be given away. I've read all the arguments as to why I should be using Instagram to promote myself. I've heard it from some of the leading photographers in the Industry. The problem is, is that they ARE photographers and the Content we upload IS OURS to do with as we please. I know and acknowledge why a model would do so. They need an avenue to promote themselves for contacts and maximum exposure. But there in lies the problem. It is seldom if ever the model's CONTENT to upload. They do not Own the Content in most cases. Yet, some photographers allow such upload on services like Instagram as a condition. But as you have now been able to deduce, doing so creates a potentially serious legal Conflict of Interest between the person uploading (model), the photographer and Instagram. Who is liable? Instagram says they're not. The photographer will cry Copyright Infringement because they did not expect to see their image on a commercial they did not get paid for. Or they'll see an image of theirs horribly edited or modified from it's original pristine version. Who is left in the middle? Everyone and no-one. Instagram will have the most lawyers, the model will be left broke trying to defend against Instagram and the photographer will walk away pissed off and likely tied up in a court case that may possibly go nowhere. Everyone but Instagram will be broke as a result. But the photographer does have some recourse under Title 17 Copyright Law and Content Registration which may allow the collection of legal and court fees. But guess where that costs will come from? You guessed it. More than likely the person using the app because they are the ones that claimed to Own the Content that was used.

This is a rare and improbable scenario. However, it is being highlighted here to emphasize how a Terms of Service agreement from an app runs contrary to established legal Copyright Law regarding Content use and Ownership.

So my conclusion - Instagram just isn't worth it for me. On the off chance of some kind of grand exposure that will propel my business to the next level that would make me want to give away Content on that level..? I think NOT! That's the kind of vanity that gets people used. Sure I'll still own the Content as Instagram professes. But I ask, why would I even care about Owning the Content if I cannot control when, how, where and to what extent it is used? That negates the benefit of ownership and that is where Instagram's Terms of Service is both ingenious from their own business perspective as well as extremely dangerous. They have successfully exploited a strong characteristic of human behavior; that need to be seen, to want to be loved and adored, to be popular, wealthy and have a huge fan following and in a sense they have it so we will even consider giving away some of our most prized Creations just to be relevant in a world dominated with digital noise and clutter.

Not for me; Not Yet and certainly Not today.

Wil Randolphhttps://email@example.com