Brittany (Test Shoot)

Pet Peeves

5. Dirty or un-kept fingernails and toenails.

I don't remember when I first started getting irritated by this. I think I started to notice it when I was ready to submit to my first editorial. Now, no matter the skill level of the subject I always reminds them to make sure their nails are clean.

4. Raw Files

Asking me for my Raw files is a big "No No". Unless your company, agency or your publication requires it to be edited by your retoucher. I never EVER give my Raw files out. It just never gonna happens. Plagues me to no end, that so many have it in there head to ask a photographer for there Raw images and maybe some photographers do it, but I don't and never will.

3. Escorts

99% I will let a talent bring an escort along with them. The problem with it is when the escort is overly-insecure and causing problems by making the talent uncomfortable. I've only had this happen twice and I am not one to mince words when I kick people off set. So don't have your overly-insecure escort come along if they are going to cause problems.

With that being said a escort is not defined as...

My child
My department store manager
My dog
My cat
My friend who is hoping to shoot with but doesn't have to pay

2. Keeping an open mind

I have been doing photography for quite sometime, but limiting yourself is very off putting to me. I'm not saying open-mindedness should be a person doing something that is absolutely damaging to themselves or entity they work for me, but I didn't get to where I am right now focusing on what's only in the box...

...I looked beyond the box, matter of fact I shot that box with a 12 gauge and kept it movin'. You come to me to shoot, what do you expect my mind process is going to be?

1. Arguing

I've only had this happen when there are more than one talent on set. Generally, I will kick both talents off set and let there management team know I did it too. This is a profession and not high school. This also goes to talent who thinks we are cool enough that you can come and talk to me about why you don't like someone I am working during the shoot or afterwards. I honestly don't need it. My shoots are fun and positive, when you step on set with me your negative mood and thoughts are not allowed.

Well, that's all for now. Love to hear your thoughts or your stories in the comments section below.

No Flakezone - (0fukzgiv3n)

I think all photographers have gone through the whole process of dealing with flaking models. Yea yea, I know photographers can flake too, but I'm talking from my own personal dealings. I have grown to learn when models are going to flake on me. It so easy to tell that I have gone ahead and I have other models available as backup. It sucks and I think it insulting that I have to do this. No one likes to be the second choice.

I can hear it in the conversation with the potential model, that hesitation. When I start hearing things like, "Um...I think I can...". When I have worked with agency models and booked directly through them I never hear, "um". It's all business, when, what time, pay, location, etc. They take it seriously, some of them live off it. I am no different. Wasting anyone time isn't a good thing and for you to think its an option is blatantly disrespectful.

So here is something interesting in my experiences that I have noticed.

"you might want to leave...it's about to get ugly."

People I have worked with in D.C., Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have never flaked on me. I am truly grateful for that. Unfortunately, I live in Maryland, and one would think that I wouldn't have issues having models to work with here...but there a lot of "so-called Models" here. Apparently, there is unknown reason, sickness or psychological issue that makes it difficult for these so-called models to do a very simple thing...be honest and respectful.

"...I'm the g@ddamn batman, you will respect me..."

I have only canceled a shoot only a handful of times and every time I have made sure to reschedule in a proper time frame. I even gave a discount on the shoot because of it. I go out of my way because whether client, model or talent I run a business and my business kinda depends on you. So, yes, I go out of my way to make sure you want to keep coming back to me to give me business.

I know what your thinking, "Jason, why don't you require a deposit?!" Only in the great state of Maryland do I get this response about requiring a deposit, "I can't afford it." Really...so I require 25% for a shoot. So let just say we are doing a simple portrait shoot, I charge you $300 and the deposit is $75. You give me your "BS" answer on not being able to afford the deposit. Then I see on your social network page buying everyone drinks at the bar...

yea....

yea...

So, I have some good news and I am for now going to keep it underwraps. However, I am re-instituting my rule on not working with potential or establish models in Maryland anymore. Which means until head out of the state of Maryland you won't see many photo updates. I will only work with agency represented models from Maryland and for all those I have worked with from Maryland before and have never let me down we will continue to work together.

"I've got a thick skin and an elastic heart"

#sorrynotsorry #fromtheheart

Until then...I'mma be over here swinging from my chandelier...

Kami - New Jersey

Currently in the midst to win a contest on Ziv... The prize is a really good one! The concept really grab my attention upon viewing it. It's basically doing a shoot around Madonna's new album cover, "Rebel Heart". The first thing I recognize from the image that was there were the black cords used on Madonna's face to show restriction. I decided to dig a little and find out what was the inspiration for the cover. Once I discover the inspiration I took a little bit of the inspiration to create something into my own photoshoot.

I wanted the images to portray a person trying to break free of there confines. I wanted to leave it up the viewer to decide what those restrictions were and why they need to break free. I think I did a really good job of that with Mary Celeste (show ya later) and Kami. (You won't see the images here...)

Thank you Chris M. Day for connecting me to Kami and thank you Deshae for taking a nearly 8 hour drive back and forth to New Jersey with me and still being awake enough to hold a reflector for me. Thank you Kami for taking a chance on working with a guy like me. It kinda sucks because I didn't get a chance to really speak with Kami. I did get emails from her telling me she loved the images. Which is good enough for me. So, here are a few images I will share with you.

Comments are welcomed.

New York Excursion

I love going to New York and New Jersey to do photoshoots and networking. This particular trip to NY was more personable to me because my bestfriend came to town. She is one of the most beautiful women in the world and truly a natural at modeling...but this isn't her job at all. "Bella" is a college student who in majoring in Interior Design. When I say she is extremely talented she really is! She can draw, paint, sketch anything. I am blessed to know her and she is one of my biggest supporters. I wish there was a way to show off her artist designs she has created. She actually sent me a portrait made out of paper mache of my English Bulldog Krixus for my birthday. PAPER-FRIGGIN'-MACHE!!! Who does that?

Whenever Bella and I do a shoot it doesn't feel like work and it's a nice breakup from the norm of things. We literally walked for a long bit just talking and would just grab shots here and there. No lights, no reflectors, just stop take a picture, talk and walk some more. I already miss her and I know when I go back to Wisconsin later this Summer I will be doing a shoot with her.

....and it will be full of complete awesomeness...