I have been away for a few days, enjoying the sunshine in Spain and modelling for Martin Robinson's art classes. I also did a fashion/editorial shoot in Murcia. I got back this afternoon.
While I was away Project Educate on deviantArt published my interview with Quietchildae, Art Nude and Fetish Photography Gallery Moderator.
ProjectEducate "is a project to promote and support artistic growth and knowledge throughout the community. The project includes contests, interviews, and various other events for artistic and community involvement".
From 7th to 13th November it was Art Nude week, with lots of interviews and a discussion on dA mature content policy which is of great importance as people never know what is acceptable as mature content and what is deemed to be pornographic. For all of us involved in art nude photography these are important questions.
I am reposting here my interview, accompanied by the thumbnails of the works chosen from my dA gallery by Quietchildae. It was a great honour to be involved this way in Project Educate and I hope that some of the issues raised will stimulate further thinking.
How did you get into modeling in general, and art nude modeling specifically?
I began life modeling when I was a dance student. I did it for some time but only because I needed the extra cash, I was not interested in pursuing life modeling as a career. Then after a long gap I started doing it again in my forties and really enjoyed it. Simultaneously I began doing commercial modeling, signing up with an agency. From life modeling the transition to art nude photographic modeling was easy and I set myself up as an independent art nude model i.e. my agency is not involved in getting me work as a nude model. This is my third year as a photographic nude model.
Photographers: Marcello Pozzetti, Terri Slater, George Swift
What was your favorite shoot?
The one I did recently in Dublin with model Michael Cooney for Solus-Photography (Michael Culhane). I really enjoyed working with him and the pictures are breathtaking.
What would you say was the strangest thing you've done for a shoot?
I have not done anything that strikes me as being strange.
What do you look for in a photographer? What makes you want, or not want to work with someone?
I always check their portfolio. I look for imaginative shots and the ability to bring out the inner world of the model.
Photographers: Michael Culhane, John Setsaa, Elisabeth Jakobsen
What are some positive and negative gains and experiences you've had as a model?
As a model I have learned to trust myself. So far modeling has been a positive experience for me, I cannot think of anything negative.
Do you tell people about being a model? How do the people in your life deal with it, if they know?
I don’t usually tell people, unless they are into photography. But I am not paranoid about being found out. It is one of the things I do and I am proud of my work.
Do you consider yourself a confident person?
I guess so, though we all have our moments of doubt
Photographers: Antonio Genco, Gina King, Ray Spence
What would you say to people who insist that art nude photography is "just porn" or has no artistic value?
I have given up on trying to make them see things differently. You can’t argue with fools. I just keep away from them.
What role do you play in creating the final image? That is to say, is it a collaborative process with the photographer to execute a concept? How so?
It is a collaborative process but I tend to be the kind of model who tunes into the photographer’s ideas and feelings and then I try to deliver making the whole thing my own. On paid shoots I do as the photographer asks and I may not bother with the images at all especially if the photographer is not good enough by my standards. On commercial shoots I just do what the client asks for – clients can be a real pain. The best shoots, in collaborative terms, are tfp. But there are some photographers who try and dominate the shoot . When they do that on a tfp shoot I never go back to them. I sometimes refuse paid jobs if I feel that the photographer is not right for me. I recently worked with someone who paid me generously and insisted on booking me for a second shoot without letting me see what he had done – it was his second nude shoot. I told him politely that before committing myself I’d have to see what the images were like. He took it badly. I will not be working again with him even if he throws money at me. I don’t depend on modeling for a living and I am at that stage in my modeling career where the quality of the images I appear in is paramount.
Photographers: George Swift, Martin Robinson, Jan Murphy
How do you feel about working with other models?
Oh I love it. I have worked twice already with Mike Cooney and would love to do some other work with him in future.
Who do you find inspirational?
Oh this is such a difficult question. But amongst art models I definitely find Unbearable-Lightness inspirational, she has shown that beauty has no age and that intelligence more than looks is what gives you the best results in making a good picture. Amongst the supermodels I love Vera Lehndorff who used to model as Veruschka in the 1960s (Richard Avedon adored her and regarded her as his muse) and then turned her back on fashion to become a body artist. And currently I adore Kristen McMenamy’s long white hair, it is even longer than mine. Her Vogue Italia shoot with Steven Meisel was phenomenal, inspired by the Gulf of Mexico ecological disaster. She looked like a wounded bird, all covered in oil on the beach. She truly could deliver, I cannot imagine any other model doing it.
What is your dream shoot that you've always wanted to do, but for whatever reasons, haven't done yet?
I would love to do conceptual/high fashion work, like Kristen McMenamy. I do have a very distinctive look and I believe I could pull it off. I need to find the right photographer.
Photographers: Ray Spence, Joanna Novek, Toby Slater
What advice would you give to new models in the field?
Trust yourself. Know your limitations and work around them. Establish firm boundaries. Keep your wits about you but do not get paranoid. Most photographers are nice people, though some, as in all walks of life and professions, are not very intelligent. You need to realize that paid work is not necessarily the work that will give you the best images so plan for portfolio shoots accordingly. And do not be afraid of experimenting. (here I would add: do not be afraid of turning photographers down if shooting with them does not feel right)
If someone wanted to book you, where else could they find you, and what's the best way to get in contact you?
Through a note on deviantArt or by visiting my website
Thanks again, Quietchildae!
(All photos modelled by Alex B)
While I was away Project Educate on deviantArt published my interview with Quietchildae, Art Nude and Fetish Photography Gallery Moderator.
ProjectEducate "is a project to promote and support artistic growth and knowledge throughout the community. The project includes contests, interviews, and various other events for artistic and community involvement".
From 7th to 13th November it was Art Nude week, with lots of interviews and a discussion on dA mature content policy which is of great importance as people never know what is acceptable as mature content and what is deemed to be pornographic. For all of us involved in art nude photography these are important questions.
I am reposting here my interview, accompanied by the thumbnails of the works chosen from my dA gallery by Quietchildae. It was a great honour to be involved this way in Project Educate and I hope that some of the issues raised will stimulate further thinking.
How did you get into modeling in general, and art nude modeling specifically?
I began life modeling when I was a dance student. I did it for some time but only because I needed the extra cash, I was not interested in pursuing life modeling as a career. Then after a long gap I started doing it again in my forties and really enjoyed it. Simultaneously I began doing commercial modeling, signing up with an agency. From life modeling the transition to art nude photographic modeling was easy and I set myself up as an independent art nude model i.e. my agency is not involved in getting me work as a nude model. This is my third year as a photographic nude model.
Photographers: Marcello Pozzetti, Terri Slater, George Swift
What was your favorite shoot?
The one I did recently in Dublin with model Michael Cooney for Solus-Photography (Michael Culhane). I really enjoyed working with him and the pictures are breathtaking.
What would you say was the strangest thing you've done for a shoot?
I have not done anything that strikes me as being strange.
What do you look for in a photographer? What makes you want, or not want to work with someone?
I always check their portfolio. I look for imaginative shots and the ability to bring out the inner world of the model.
Photographers: Michael Culhane, John Setsaa, Elisabeth Jakobsen
What are some positive and negative gains and experiences you've had as a model?
As a model I have learned to trust myself. So far modeling has been a positive experience for me, I cannot think of anything negative.
Do you tell people about being a model? How do the people in your life deal with it, if they know?
I don’t usually tell people, unless they are into photography. But I am not paranoid about being found out. It is one of the things I do and I am proud of my work.
Do you consider yourself a confident person?
I guess so, though we all have our moments of doubt
Photographers: Antonio Genco, Gina King, Ray Spence
What would you say to people who insist that art nude photography is "just porn" or has no artistic value?
I have given up on trying to make them see things differently. You can’t argue with fools. I just keep away from them.
What role do you play in creating the final image? That is to say, is it a collaborative process with the photographer to execute a concept? How so?
It is a collaborative process but I tend to be the kind of model who tunes into the photographer’s ideas and feelings and then I try to deliver making the whole thing my own. On paid shoots I do as the photographer asks and I may not bother with the images at all especially if the photographer is not good enough by my standards. On commercial shoots I just do what the client asks for – clients can be a real pain. The best shoots, in collaborative terms, are tfp. But there are some photographers who try and dominate the shoot . When they do that on a tfp shoot I never go back to them. I sometimes refuse paid jobs if I feel that the photographer is not right for me. I recently worked with someone who paid me generously and insisted on booking me for a second shoot without letting me see what he had done – it was his second nude shoot. I told him politely that before committing myself I’d have to see what the images were like. He took it badly. I will not be working again with him even if he throws money at me. I don’t depend on modeling for a living and I am at that stage in my modeling career where the quality of the images I appear in is paramount.
Photographers: George Swift, Martin Robinson, Jan Murphy
How do you feel about working with other models?
Oh I love it. I have worked twice already with Mike Cooney and would love to do some other work with him in future.
Who do you find inspirational?
Oh this is such a difficult question. But amongst art models I definitely find Unbearable-Lightness inspirational, she has shown that beauty has no age and that intelligence more than looks is what gives you the best results in making a good picture. Amongst the supermodels I love Vera Lehndorff who used to model as Veruschka in the 1960s (Richard Avedon adored her and regarded her as his muse) and then turned her back on fashion to become a body artist. And currently I adore Kristen McMenamy’s long white hair, it is even longer than mine. Her Vogue Italia shoot with Steven Meisel was phenomenal, inspired by the Gulf of Mexico ecological disaster. She looked like a wounded bird, all covered in oil on the beach. She truly could deliver, I cannot imagine any other model doing it.
What is your dream shoot that you've always wanted to do, but for whatever reasons, haven't done yet?
I would love to do conceptual/high fashion work, like Kristen McMenamy. I do have a very distinctive look and I believe I could pull it off. I need to find the right photographer.
Photographers: Ray Spence, Joanna Novek, Toby Slater
What advice would you give to new models in the field?
Trust yourself. Know your limitations and work around them. Establish firm boundaries. Keep your wits about you but do not get paranoid. Most photographers are nice people, though some, as in all walks of life and professions, are not very intelligent. You need to realize that paid work is not necessarily the work that will give you the best images so plan for portfolio shoots accordingly. And do not be afraid of experimenting. (here I would add: do not be afraid of turning photographers down if shooting with them does not feel right)
If someone wanted to book you, where else could they find you, and what's the best way to get in contact you?
Through a note on deviantArt or by visiting my website
Thanks again, Quietchildae!
(All photos modelled by Alex B)
Congratulations on the interview. I saw it on DA and left a comment as well. It sounds as though the trip to Spain was a huge success, too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home!
Thanks UL. I know you did, I saw it. I just thought it would be good to have it in my blog too.Spain was fun, thank you
ReplyDelete