PROFILE PAGE UPDATED  May 31st 2023
Before I get into my history, a brief note.

I am grateful to the creators of Model Mayhem. To have a place where Photographers, Models, Makeup Artists and retouchers can connect and work together to create awesome images is just wonderful. But, I am surprised by the number of images posted where the model's name, even an AKA, or MM member number is not included with the posted image. I believe the main point of Model Mayhem is Promotion, of ourselves, our work, our skill sets, of all parties involved with the work, the photographer, the models, stylists, and Make-up artists. Obviously, there will be persons involved with the creation of some of the images posted, who are not members of Model Mayhem, and whether their names are used or not is then inconsequential.

But, Professionals, both Photographers and Models, Especially Traveling Models, rely on being identified and being given credit here on MM for continual work. Verified Crediting is  an easy way to do this. And for those who participate in the Contests, it is even more important to supply Member Numbers, as so many of these images are of a  "Professional Traveling Model " with whom other photographers may wish to contact for a session.

I do have to mention one shortcoming, which has nothing to do with the website itself. It has to do with the lack of responses in the messaging system. From my point of view, if a photographer makes the effort to reach out to a model for a possible shoot, I would hope the model would at the least respond, whether that response is a "yes" or  "No, thank you, but I am not interested", anything, but silence. The courteous thing to do is acknowledge a message.

Lastly, Models:  Please keep your portfolio pages updated.  Update your profile page periodically, and more importantly, please keep your images in your portfolio fresh.

We Photographers will post images that may span years to showcase or skills and interests. Models, while posting your best images is nice and appreciated, having up to date images, even just a few, help us photographers decide whether to contact you or not for a photo session. It can be most off putting to set up a shoot with a model, who is presented in her portfolio with long blonde hair, and then show up to the shoot with chopped pink hair. If a drastic change in appearance, i.e.. Hair length, color, tattoos etc  has occurred recently, have some images of those changes incorporated  in your portfolio, even if they are selfies.

Okay, enough griping.  On to the Biography section.

I have been taking photographs since I was a boy. Starting with a Kodak 620 Film box camera. I asked and received, as a birthday present, the infamous Kodak Instamatic with the innovative drop in cartridge and flash cube. While easy to carry on your person, the quality of images left much to be desired. It being what it was, a convenience item, the lens was of poor quality and there was no adjustments to conditions, press the shutter and hope. I look back at those images and cringe.

A friend showed me some photos of his trip to Mexico, shot with a SLR  Pentax K1000 35mm camera, I marveled at the color, sharpness of detail. He took me out for a day to show me how to use it and I made up my mind to obtain one. I saved my money and bought the exact same model.  Dropped it on the Island of Capri, Italy and broke the light meter, so I bought another one, same model, to use it's light meter. Now, I could shoot color and black and white at the same time.

In the days of film, the larger your negative the better your final images, which prompted me to " move up" to Medium format film Cameras, first with the Mamiya RB 67.  A fine camera, but much too heavy to carry around trying to do weddings. Traded it for the more versatile  Hasselblad  6x6 cm.

When digital cameras first came out, I was interested, but hesitant. I thought, when the prints from a  digital camera equal or exceed those from a film camera; then I will purchase one.

I am glad I waited, Digital SLR cameras have been so much fun. Now far superior to film, in imaging, and with a large card in the camera I can shoot and shoot and shoot, lol.  No film to worry about, it's properties and limitations, changing it out as conditions change, none of that anymore.  Now, what to do with the rolls of film I have had in my refrigerator for years?

All the while I was studying, taking workshops, reading and applying what I had learned to improve my skills. I have done quite a bit of work over the years, portraits, weddings, events, boudoir, romance, beauty pageants, etc.

I am open to any and all opportunities. Have a project in mind? Need someone at the last minute to fill in for a cancellation?

I periodically  browse here on Model Mayhem looking for some of the more local models. I have extended invitations to some of you already and  hopefully will be working with some of you on future ideas and projects. There are so many  members of Model Mayhem in the Sacramento area.

I would really like to take advantage of the great Summer weather Sacramento offers us. With photo shoots at the Rivers and Parks in late afternoon or early evenings giving us that sweet light we all love to see in photographs. I have been scouting around for areas and am open to any suggestions as to a locale.  Some ideas I would like to try, shooting at night at some of the fountains in the area. Late afternoon at the River in Folsom,  @ Lake Natoma, Nimbus Dam. Up in the mountains along the South Fork of the American River. Old Sacramento in Vintage costumes. Green screen sic fi anime effects. All sorts of ideas. As usual, it takes people on both sides of the camera, I am ready on my side…. would you be the one on the other?

When I work with a model who I know to be a member of Model Mayhem I will give credit to them. Likewise if I know a make up artist or stylist of any genre is also a member. Models who are either no longer members, or are not members, may or may not be noted by name or initials. And then there are those who wish not to be credited within Model Mayhem's verified crediting system. And I try to remember who they were and respect that request.

Tags

See All Tags (21)