Fantasy on film

When I meet people and I tell them I take pictures, I try to explain to them that I'm not your typical photographer. I am an artist!!! You're asking yourself, what's the difference? You go to Sears or Kmart, when you want a photographer. Or you find yourself a photographer when you want a portrait or wedding pictures. You come to me when you are looking to make a statement. If you want someone that is going to do what no other photographer is willing to do. I am the rule breaker when it comes to taking pictures. I've been influenced by a few photographers and I've been compared to some I didn't even know who they were. Then I looked at some things and wondered, it had to be a coincidence. It is true that artists do think alike. Even if the realm is different. I started taking pictures when I was in elementary school. My first camera was a Kodak I believe, it shot 126 film. I had that camera until I went to high school and I lost it, in 1975, when Cheryl Ladd rode in Endymion. (That's another story, I'll save it for another time.) It wasn't until 1982 that I really became serious about photography and found out I could make some money. I was told by someone I should get a Pentax K1000. I now own two, and they don't make them like that anymore. I also recommend this camera to anyone starting out of even if you'be been taking pictures for a long time. People have always enjoyed looking at my work and I would get compliments from them, saying my pictures looked like post cards. When I lost my job, I started modeling and portfolios were so expensive that I decided to do my own. Then I started doing them for other models and I found my place... I then went back and forth, infront of the camera and behind the camera. I've enjoyed both sides. LOL. I had a great group of models and friends who have posed for me over the years. I've been taking pictures for over 25 years. In that time I've photographed about 10 weddings. I only did those because they either insisted or I felt they were ready for my work. I have an eye for what looks good on a person. I like natural lighting and natural looks. I don't like models to be heavily made up, and I try to just create natural settings. My backgrounds are not traditional and I try to find the most interesting locations for outdoor shoots. I don't believe in wasting film, so everything has to be planned in advance. Once I get the image in place then I can come up with something everyone will be satisfied with. Sometimes I'll have the model stay in one place and I'll do all the moving. It depends on the space and what colors I have to work with. The fantasy aspect is something I've been working on for a long time, but I prefer doing it more now. Everyone has a fantasy, but not everyone is so bold as to capture it on film for eternity. It takes some coaching and persuasion sometimes to get someone to pose a particular way. Sometimes it's the subjects idea and they may get cold feet as the date nears. Sometimes the fantasy that they come up with just doesn't work. Every now and then I meet someone that just lets me do what my eye tells them is right. I have a lot of people to thank for trusting me and allowing me to see the inner side of themselves. Many of my models have passed on or moved away, but they will always be remembered. From my books, my art hanging on the walls and what I share here in my journal. I thank you all. Without you, I would be nothing. Special thanks to K C, B C, and D D. I'm hoping I'll get to thank some of my newer friends, who I'm trying to get infront of my lens. LOL. Take care, see you soon. Thanks for stopping by.