Cam Damage. LA. 2012. Polaroid 395.

(Styling: Julie, HMU: Heather Conlan)

I got asked the other day if I had any more of these POV shots that I shot with Echo last year. I found one of my favorites that never got posted. So enjoy!

E. LA. 2011. Sprocket Rocket 1554.

Nice to meet you through this means as well. Hopefully!!!! P.s Did you always wanted to photograph?

I wouldn’t say I always knew. I got into photography when I was 13. From then on Ive always loved it. I dont think I ever really made the decision “I want to be a photographer,” I just can’t help taking pictures and eventually got more and more serious about it.

An old shot I found digging through the archives of the great. Echo Nittolitto.

E. LA. 2011. Sprocket Rocket1461.

Krysta Kaos. Oakland. 2012. Instax 1173

Hattie Watson. LA. 2012. Eos-3 806.

(Styling: Julie, HMU: Heather Conlan)

In honor of October things are going to get a bit darker. Here is just at taste of the things to come.

Hipstamtic Perversions 0014.

(Styled by Julie)

Hi there! I really enjoy your work, specially when you shoot Julie, I think you two have a lot of chemistry and it shows. Good luck in all the aspects of your life! Keep rockin’ it (and showing us)!

Thank you so much. We do love working together regardless of who the model is. Thank you so much and I’ll do my best to keep it coming. Take care. Thanks for the follow.

Hey.

Hello! Cool blog. You got some really interesting stuff.

Hey Derek! I have to admit I have a severe industry crush on your work, and really enjoy what you do. I am a recent graduate of graphic design and photography, and have discovered that I really enjoy boudoir type shoots and fashion type sessions. I strive to beautifully capture images but also add a personal touch of grunge/edge to them as the designer in me is just a bit more dominant. I’m looking for some help on how to really get the model into the zone, as I deal with amateurs. Any thoughts?

Hello hello!! That is a super good question and one that I am pretty sure I’ve asked people before. Before I answer your question at the end there to your first part I would say don’t “try” to find you personal touch. Just look at tons of work all day every day, as I am sure you do with design, then as you shoot you will start to see things come through. Unifying characteristics that will become your touch once you notice them. I personally couldn’t say what my personal touch is to my work. I just ONLY shoot what I like. Not what I think I should shoot. Its just like design, you do it long enough and you will come out of it and once you notice that “signature” then you can find ways to help pull it out even more. At least thats my 2 cents on the subject.

As to how to get a model in the zone, well, the trick is to inspire them. In my mind if I am working with someone that isn’t super experienced I like to find what they like. The music they like. The fashion they like. Find where what they like over laps with what you want to do and then thats what you should shoot. Also you need to bring the energy to the shoot. If you’re not excited why should they be? Get into it. Get excited. Also, and I firmly believe in this one, have some way you can look at stuff right away. If youre shooting film then have a polaroid/instax or a digital camera. That way when you nail that first great shot show the model to get them pumped. Show them how good its turning out. Build that energy and it will really go from there.

Overall have fun and that will show through in everything.