The z1ider's photoBlog

One of the most professional models I’ve worked with is Janey. I’d admired her work for ages, then got chance to shoot her about two years ago. Since then, I have been following her portfolio and it has just been getting better and better.

We caught up online recently and she kindly agreed to answer some of my questions for this blog:

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z: How and when did you get into modelling?

J: I first began modelling when I was 18 years old. I did a number of artist shoots in Sheffield. I then started out in my career and time went by with the job and a family. Hence it was only a couple of years ago that I decided to give it a go again after Andrew Appleton, a local photographer, offered me a Vintage Car Rally job, and Dean Wilkinson another local photographer offered me a studio shoot.

z : In your view, who’s the best photographer you’ve worked with?

J: Wow! Now that’s a tricky question and not one I could even begin to answer. The list is endless, and everyone I have worked with has been fabulous! I enjoyed the wallpaper shoot I did with Dave Earnshaw, the fabulous art nude shoot I did with Greg Brown in London, and just so many more. I believe that if you ever stop enjoying your shoots, that’s the time to give up!

z: What’s your favourite image taken of you to date?

J: Again its difficult so I’ll have to plump for the wallpaper shot as its probably the one that most people know me for

z: Why do you favour the B&W image?

J: I love the way black and white images add depth and emotion to a photograph. My favourite black and white images produced to date have to be these two by Greg Brown.

z: As I understand it, you were reluctant to do any nude work for a long time. Some of your most recent (and best, in my opinion) images are some stunning and classy nude studies. What changed your mind to try this sort of work?

J: I decided at the grand old age of 40 that it was about time I pushed myself and produced some difficult poses and Greg Brown, who I chose to shoot these with had contacted me the year before, so I decided that it was time to bite the bullet and do it. The last time I’d tried it was aged 18 so it was all very daunting. Greg is a fabulous photographer and absolute professional, and I enjoyed every single minute of the shoot. Boy did I ache though when I got home!

z: Is there any style of images you’d really like to capture that you haven’t tried yet.

J: Well, you may notice I try most things within reason. I’m currently aiming more for Lifestyle/editorial work, and I’m currently doing some Bridal Exhibitions. I fancy doing a bit more fashion (even though I’m tiny!).

z: You have some really fun images taken with Tatoo23 by Asylumseventy7. They both come over to me as head cases and I really admire their work. Please tell me something about that shoot.

J: Well, where to start! They are great people. I’ve worked Tatoo23 on a number of occasions and he’s a sweet guy. Asylumseventy7 is just as sweet too, with such wacky ideas, so you can imagine what happens when we all get together! Maybe I should let the pics speak for themselves?

z: Finally, you make it clear on your web site that you are an ‘older’ model. How long can you see yourself modelling for?

J: Yes I make it clear – I would hate to sell you a kipper! I’m an older model (can’t exactly class myself as mature… as my pictures perhaps show!). I’ll model within reason for as long as its fun and for as long as fabulous photographers like yourself, want to shoot with me.

z: Thank-you Janey.

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I  really can’t recommend Janey highly enough. Book her now! You can see more of her work and contact her on either her Model Mayhem profile or web site.

I hope to bring you more Model Q&As in the near future.

To those of you not familiar with the term TFP, it means Time For Pictures, or Time For Prints. Sometimes known as TFCD if the images are supplied on CD. You get the idea? Quite simply, it is a system whereby the model agrees to work with a photographer in exchange for a number of images from the shoot. No fees exchange hands either way. It works well – the model gets images for nothing, the photographer gets a model for free. Mutually beneficial, and a system I have used many times.

However, it seems an increasing number of models are advertising for TFP, with the proviso that ‘travel expenses must be covered’. Why? I have travelled to many shoots using both my own and public transport and never asked for reimbursement.

Who actually gets most out of a TFP shoot? Well, I suppose it depends upon what the final images are used for. But I would say with  amateur shoots such as  I do, the model really gets more out of it, and here’s why;

Let’s suppose that I accept a TFP with a model and the shoot is in Derby. We both travel to Derby at our own expense and spend a couple of hours shooting. The model then goes home and, basically, her job is done. The photographer (i.e. me!), on the other hand, then spends several hours sorting through several hundred shots, filtering out the good from the not-so and then spending up to a couple of hours retouching each image, sometimes upward of a dozen or so.

So let’s add up the hours then. I reckon 2 hour’s round journey and a 2 hour shoot for both ‘tog and model. Then an additional, say, 4 hour’s sorting, then another 2 hours each image, let’s call it a round 24 hours. So that’s 4 hour’s work for the model and 30 hours for the photographer. Now, I’m not moaning about that. I’m just pointing out how it is.

So, models, next time you arrange a shoot TFP, just think twice before you demand travel expenses. I think you’ve got the best deal out of this!

I thoroughly enjoy looking at other photographer’s work and today I discovered Schotz Photography. Simply wonderful, subtle, artsy images the quality of which I can only dream of attaining.

I particularly liked the Ulorin and Nymphae series, both beautifully shot nude sets, located in the New Forest.

These photographs have really got me hankering after doing a similar shoot now on a ‘Woodland Nymph’ theme. If any girl would care to work with me on this them, please drop me an email.

I had a second shoot last week with Lyndzey, an alternative model living just outside Kings Lynn. See her web site at www.lyndzey.co.uk for more details and images.

She loves to get messy, but this time we just stuck to some portraiture and low key stuff. She is easy to work with and open to ideas. We hope to work together again soon on an erotic girl-girl shoot.

Meanwhile, check out her web site and give her a booking.

I have just acquired a copy of ‘Digital Diaries’, by Natacha Merritt (Taschen books, ISBN 3-8228-6398-X).

It is a visual diary of Natacha herself as she keeps a record of her sex life. I assume most of the photographs have been taken by her, either at arm’s length or on a timer, and subsequently I would describe most of them as ’snaps’. Blurred, out of focus, amateur.

Yet calling it ‘art’ somehow makes you look at the images again, and I suppose if that’s the voyeuristic look that the photographer was after, then it’s mission accomplished. But whilst they are certainly thought provoking, sometimes erotic images, they are certainly NOT good photographs.

Buy or borrow the book yourself and see if you can decide – art or porn? You can see more of Natacha’s work on her website: http://www.digitalgirly.com/

I’m surprised how many models turn up for a shoot with their nails all stubby, badly kept and bitten to the quick! The girls must spend an absolute age on preening their hair and doing their makeup, yet neglect their nails.

The first things I look at when I meet a model is their eyes and then their nails. It’s not sufficient just to slap some polish on badly-kept, bitten nails to cover them up. Come on, girls. It’s part of the image – please look after your nails!

I have had many photo shoots with hopefuls and wannabes. Most of them are lovely girls and decent models, but once in a while I get the pleasure of working with a girl who stands out. Yesterday I had a shoot with one such girl, Halo Haynes.

On an average session I will take 250-300 shots, of which I would expect to get 10, maybe 12 decent captures. In the short time we worked together yesterday, I got about 40. Halo was a true professional, did her stuff despite workmen and drunken onlookers and trudged over a derelict building site in 5″ heels to get to the location.

Thanks and good luck Halo, I hope you go far. You deserve it.

Sometimes I stumble upon a tog who’s work I really admire. Yesterday I discovered FrizzyCube, aka Neil Nakahara.

Not only is he a brilliant glamour photographer, he does some absolutely stunning post-processing on some of his images, plus has a simply brilliant website on which to show them off.

I could spend hours looking at his work and dreaming of being that good.