In 2018, the plan is to continue what I started. In addition to getting better and experimenting with technique and technology, more importantly, it’s to continue being selective…not out of arrogance, but because it just makes sense.
Just because a beautiful random traveling “fine art model” sends you an arbitrary cut/paste inquiry a week before she’s in town THAT is NOT a reason to work with them. Especially when you look at their port (or Jebus….their social media “stuffs”) and you have to ask yourself: “Why would you….?”
I’ve had to ask myself that many times over the past few months. I made the call and sent the polite declines. I may have missed out on someone special, but, truth be told, I doubt it.
It’s more than just a face, a name, because you do nudes, create “art”, have “fans” or that you work with [INSERT CELEBRITY BRO-TOGRAPHER HERE]. Collaboration means each person brings something to the table: model and photographer. Just because you worked with someone a few times…doesn’t mean that they are a friend. Even if that is the case, if there is an aspect that prevents a professional productive relationship (hubris, drama, ‘teh’ silly), you have to rethink things and rethink how you feel about some individuals.
I have.
There are some awesome models out there with skills, beauty and technique….who SUCK as people and SUCK even more at life. When that’s the case you have to make decisions on whether to work with them from a pro/con perspective…again: business. AND common sense. AND my own comfort level. That’s even if you just get an impression from a social media presence. For example if only you’d seen the MM profiles I’ve seen in the past few months…
Jebus.
I’ve declined “traveling models” based on the tone of their profiles alone. Again, not arrogance, but warning signs and those aforementioned negative elements I sussed. Most if not all were beautiful and capable models. They will get work from the pros and the fanboys who will put up with alot and pay insane amounts of money to see a bit of boob. For those models, their words betrayed them. There’s nothing wrong with having conditions, terms and self confidence. You have to temper that with intelligence and self awareness, I would argue. For me If there is no obvious benefit and just a hot mess burst of ego and entitled sentiment, the path is quite clear.
Allowing myself to have requirements, conditions and thinking of these photography interactions with a foundation of getting stuff done and not just “fun” or distraction was a BIG thing for me. Making that adjustment was spurred on by past experiences of course but also where I want to be. You can’t just complain and be negative. You have to do something constructive….that’s the way I’m looking at it.
That’s the plan.
All that said I value the people I worked with in 2017. We did great work together.
Without you, I’m taking pictures of flowers and trees.
(Nothing wrong with flowers and trees but…y’know…)
I owe you thanks. BIG thanks.
You are loved AND appreciated.
You know who you are….
-CN




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