About Modeling for Me
At the centre of my work with the Nude are the people I photograph. Without them, I could not expresses my vision. Most people I've photographed are not professional models, but rather individuals who appreciate my creative vision, and pose out of an interest in the results, and in return for fine art prints. A CBC Radio interview that gives some insight into my process can be found here.
Where do you make your images?
I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and photograph within an a couple of hours of that city.
What do you charge/do I get paid?
I don't charge for photo sessions, nor pay the people I work with. My process is collaborative, with models contributing their time and enthusiasm, and myself providing my time, equipment and more than thirty years of experience.
What do you look for in model?
All sessions are Nude, so a comfort with nudity is crucial. Previous experience with modeling is not necessary (and in fact, quite uncommon for mode people I photograph). Obviously, the most important element is an appreciation of my creative aesthetic.
Models should be in good physical shape, as sessions often involve extensive hiking, and physical exertion.
Though tattoos are popular, I avoid them in my work; small/discreet tattoos can be worked around, but if you have large or obvious tattoos, I am not the right photographer for you.
Does my face have to be in the images?
Absolutely not! About 1/3 of the people I've worked with prefer to be anonymous, so if that is your preference, I simply avoid poses/compositions that show the face.
How long does a session take and what is involved?
Sessions can range from under an hour to a full day. First session usually begin with a series of portraits, to help establish a rapport between myself and the model(s); from there, it goes where it will, depending on the setting, the model(s), and the position of the stars.
Models are welcome to bring a friend or partner along for company; the way I photograph is slow at times, so having someone to chat with occasionally isn’t a bad idea.
What does I receive from a photo session?
I use a Trade for Prints (TFP) approach. For each session, the model receives one or more finished original print of their choice (one 16"x24", two 11"x14" or three 8"x10" prints). The images can be anything from my body of work, and not necessarily from the session itself.
Models also receive a full set of digital images from the session in both web and screen resolution. I retain copyright over the images, but always provide models with permission for non-commercial uses, such as on personal web pages etc.
What happens to images I don’t like?
Once the images from a session are processed, I meet with model to review the images. If there are any images in which the model is identifiable that they object to, I will delete them.
How will the photographs be used?
The photographs are part of my continuing exploration of the Nude, and will be used within that context. The images could be used in the internet (websites, social media etc), as part of gallery exhibitions, and in print publications (books and magazines) on and about my artwork. Typically I use three images on my Blog after the images are approved, but it can take months or years before the work appears in other forms.
Do I have to sign a model release?
Before a session, model sign a pre-session release which acknowledges that the session will involve Nude modeling, and that anonymous images may be used without a release.
Once the model has reviewed and approved of the final images from a session, I ask them to sign a full model release, which permits me to use identifiable images of the model in the context of my artwork (commercial use is not covered by the model release I use. Only those images covered by a partial or full release are available for selection by the model as prints.
Vice published an interesting article by a nude model named Sienna Hayes.
The BBC published an interesting article about modeling nude (for drawing and painting).
