Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I really hate this question as it seems to always generate drama and bad behavior but, for what it's worth, I consider myself a professional simply because I have been able to travel to more cities than I can count, have been able to pay for all my gear and, when I chose to do so, pay my bills with the craft.
How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
I received an invitation from Chris and joined up mainly hoping to find an alternative to Model Mayhem. I have not been disappointed up to this point. MI has the finest interface I have ever seen in both ease of use and functionality as well as a very friendly and helpful core group of members that lead me to believe that this site will one day be where I spend most, if not all, of my time when searching for models or seeking inspiration.
What gear do you use?
I currently use a Nikon D100, D300s and Alien Bees strobes with various makes and models of soft boxes and umbrellas. My meter is a Sekonic L-358. Speedlights are Nikon SB-800's. As a general rule, I don't replace my equipment until it dies. A beauty ring is planned in the near future just because I want to play around with one.
What is your usual genre? Favorite genre?
My usual genre is glamour nude mainly because the internet and digital made this lucrative but also because I was in love with the golden days of Playboy and men's magazines of the day. My favorite is and always will be sports but as a result of a permanent issue with my vision and an inability to manually focus reliably I have drifted away from that with the exception of an occasional local opportunity.
How do you find models to work with?
I find all of the models I work with through networking sites. For a few years I also used places like CL but, for various reasons, I exclusively use sites such as this. I have yet to run out of new faces to hire and see this remaining my chosen method of recruitment.
Do you provide styling and makeup? Do you work with a preferred MUA?
I went through a brief period of relying on stylists but no longer do except on a rare occasions these days. I have slowly developed a taste for natural beauty ( my definition of it at any rate ) and prefer little makeup or at least not so much that it completely alters the features and look of a given model.
Where do you see yourself going in the next year, artistically and business wise?
Actually, I am in the process of finishing up some contractual commitments and plan to step away from my normal "shoot for a buck" mentality and hopefully concentrate on a more art driven direction. Later in the year I hope to be heavily into developing my own style of nude work. I've lined out two shoots for later in the summer that will be the beginnings of this new direction for me. We'll see how that goes and take it from there.
Do you shoot both in studio and on location, and do you have a preference?
My preference is to work in a more realistic scenario and prefer homes, buildings and outdoors. I have owned 3 different studios but since removing myself from day to day portrait type work I have almost exclusively gone to location and outdoor work.
Do you have your own studio? If not, do you find this a limitation?
I no longer maintain a studio due to my location. If I have need for one I simply rent one. Not having a studio available to me 24/7 has not hindered me in any way. I simply recruit models who either have no preference or lean towards out of studio work.
Do you travel?
Not as much as I used to but I make several trips to LA (or nearby), Dallas/Ft Worth, Austin as well as other venues throughout Texas and Oklahoma. I am open to travel just about anywhere that has a particular model I really want to shoot. The last few years I have made extensive use of those on the traveling model circuit so that has cut down on my normal flying around.
If you are a paid tier member, would you offer a few words on the value you get from your membership?
I am not a paid member as I was given one of the non-expiring lifetime memberships. And because I procrastinated I did not get in on the permanent one time pay offering (though I wish I had). I will say that if the site continues to grow and maintain it's current level of performance only a fool would not sign up. I expect to see great things from this site especially since it's formal introduction to the rest of the world recently and it's rapidly climbing membership numbers.
Anything else you'd like to tell the Model Insiders about yourself?
There's not a whole lot to say really. I like to have a relaxed and fun environment to work in and try diligently to make sure those I work with have the same. I do, however, have a very low tolerance for drama and BS. I also tend to work with people who see this as a business so far as how they behave and their work ethic.
