Tag: ask

I’m taking an alternative processes class and we were asked to create any kind of book. I shot at a few skate park and hadn’t use those shots for anything yet so I’m basing my book on those. But idk how to compose a “skate” book, what would you do?

Its an interesting question. Honestly I have no idea. You mean like a portfolio book thats skate based?

Send me links of what you’re talking about and Ill answer more directly.

How do you approach a model regarding nudity. It’s obvious if she’s a nude model already, but if she’s not do you ask or encourage to shoot them nude/semi-nude?

This is a great question and I have a strong opinion here. I dont think you should EVER encourage someone to do nude modeling. In the realm of the internet doing nude modeling can change a lot for a model, good, bad and ugly. That is not a decision you want to help someone make. As a photographer you don’t want to have persuaded someone to do something they may later regret.

For me personally its clear what I shoot. I photograph naked women. I use my real name. I don’t hide anything that I do, and everyone that knows me knows what I shoot. But there are people that inherently don’t like it. There are other models/photographers that have felt backlash for what that do; and as awful as it is, its definitely a reality. I chose early on to not hide my name, or what I do, or to shoot under another name because to hide it to me felt like acknowledging it as wrong. I do not think that being a nude model, or a nude photographer, is wrong at all. We were born naked and we are all beautiful in our own ways naked. However, we live in a society that doesn’t always agree. So that is a very serious responsibility as a nude photographer to respect and value those you shoot.

Ok, now to answer the logistical question you’re really asking. Any model that I approach to shoot, or that approaches me knows what I shoot. That being said there is always a “how much nudity are you comfortable with,” chat that takes place. That’s important and never something I negotiate. The first answer they say is what I work with. At times what I imagined for them isn’t compatible and I’ve had to restructure my ideas or cancel the shoot.

So, at the end of the day, in my mind, stick to nude models, or people that are 100% sure they are willing to be naked on the internet. That’s my 2 cents and inevitably many will disagree; but I say you rarely go wrong with sticking to the old medical ethic of “first, do no harm.”

Hope that helps,

Derek

Hi. I really LOVE your photos. I’m wondering-where do you find the models for your pictures?

Hello, and thank you so much. I find models a few different places.

1. Referrals. As in other models recommend photographers and I get contacted that way.

2. Tumblr. A lot of the models that I end up shooting I see scrolling past my tumblr. Some times I contact them first, sometimes they get to me first. 

3. Instagram. Simply by being friends with the models I’ve shot it creates an ever growing network of creative people on Instagram.

However, when I started I had friends that would let me shoot them. The hardest model to get is your first one. From then on you work will dictate the type of model you can get. Model Mayhem is a good resource too, but, despite having and account, Ive never used it to find a model.

Hope they helps.

Derek