12/11/2017 0 Comments Styling A Professional ModelExtremely rare I work with a professional model of any style. It's quite refreshing. Not only for all the aspects that make her a real professional, like excellent communication and, research, plans ahead, organized, on time and prepared. Also buying issues of mags she's been in and investing to reach goals. But for the added things that are wonderful. She knows the modeling biz. She knows high quality styling and images. She is skilled in facial expressions and poses but takes direction well. And the conversations between us about the biz is fabulous!! She is signed with an agency. To speak with someone who actually knows the biz side of modeling is grand. It's also interesting because sje is a modern fashion model and plus size model. Couldn't be anymore delightful to be around a pro, who hires me and knows the biz side of modeling. I sit and look at some of these gals actions and outlook, things they've said proving they are clueless. Then low and behold here comes someone experienced, skilled, prepared, on time and actually took the time to gain knowledge and set goals, realistic goals. Clients like that make me motivated to work with them again, to speak with them again, to go the extra mile for them. And when it's time to execute a bit of decision time, models like that are always going to be 1st in line. The total package is there! Professional photographer's will automatically see what I see and experience what I have with a model like that. Positivity and producing positive results. Magazine owners will undoubtedly see the high skill level, the confidence, the high quality images she's taking. I can imagine designers, boutique owners, producers, etc., have all had and will have the same experience working with her or a model like her. You don't have to specialize in pinup to be professional in the biz side! You don't have to have to have any previous experience in pinup, have pinup career goals, have alot of money to invest or time,.... to be a professional in your actions. This includes training. It just must be above some people to learn, to practice. To make the time. Got time to be out clubbing, events, bars, dinner, etc. Got time to be online everyday. Got time and money to book shoots. Got money to spend on luxuries and time to go do them. Then YOU HAVE time to research, sit and practice. Pinup does NOT have to be your entire life for you to set realistic goals, go after them with a solid plan and invest time and money. Pinup can be a hobby and still requires dedication to being prepared, on time and organized. Great communication is needed whether a hobby or career. Does not have to be your life to train ajd develope skills. It bothers me when gals have all these unrealistic goals and use time to do any and everything besides work on them!!! You'll never be a professional model or pro pinup model if you lack in skills and knowledge. Define the word professional and there's a difference in it verses the definition of amateur. In modeling it takes years to reach a professional level. Years of research, investing and training. If you should expect to and want to improved your skills after years of pinup shoots,.... don't set unrealistic goals without including the amount of work involved, drive and dedication. I was inspired to cover this topic because the model I recently styled and photographed just proves me right in my whole outlook on modeling. All the aspects of a well trained, experienced, knowledgeable, skilled model were there and have been every time we've worked together. She's also a beautiful gal and that has nothing to do with professionalism. Nothing to do with dedication and drive. Beauty has nothing to do with the biz size of the industry. Dianna Prince Isla Fisher
0 Comments
Welcome to my 200th blog! Thank you to everyone for the support and reading my blogs. Thank you to all my vintage lovers who compliment my research and blogs. I have blogs on both my websites and have blogged on WordPress as well. I love Weebly and this is my 200th blog! Welcome to my 200th blog! Thank you to everyone for the support and reading my blogs. Thank you to all my vintage lover's, who compliment my research and blogs. I have blogs on both my websites and have blogged on WordPress as well. I love Weebly and this is my 200th blog! I have blogged and created slide shows on vintage sweater girls before. Hot topic. I wrote a detailed series of articles on vintage under garments and lingerie and ended up with over 10k words! It took 2 months to research and write. I learned so much about bra's. The infamous bullet bra was 1st created in the late 40's for a beautiful and sexy actress in a film role. It's shape evolved more so into a defined cone, torpedo and bullet shape as the 50's began and progressed. The shape that all under garments create forms the body and forms the appearance of clothing worn over them. This isn't a garment used soley for practical purposes. It's main purpose is to create a bullet shape to shirt, sweater, or dress. And to form the breasts as such. Very few gals of today wear bullet bras. Where as in the 50's throughout the decade, they were commonly worn. Not just by models or entertainers and movie starlets, but by many women. I would say fairly young women. Definitely not a conservative look. Obviously the main purpose to to enhance and draw attention to the breasts. No clue what the bra actually looks like, what exact style, what color or material it was made with, you just know there's a bra underneath. For all the women who feel that wearing no bra is more sexual than a bra, aren't thinking like most men. It's the intrigue, the mystery, the unknown. Yes it's sexy to wear a tight top with no bra, depending on who you are. But many men and women find sex appeal in the shape bra's create. Marilyn Monroe I tried to find and use images in this blog that I didn't use in the previous one on this topic. But there are undoubtedly a few personal favorites I adore and had to share again. I'll be doing articles and a poster series on The Vintage Sweater Girl very soon, so stay tuned. I actually begin production tomorrow with a beautiful pinup doll. Can't wait and terribly excited about the wardrobe I selected to style her in, at an outdoor location shoot!!! Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Above is Joan Collins JUNE WILKINSON Joi Lansing Mamie Van Doren Gina Lollobrigida Diana Dors Jayne Mansfield Julie Newmar Angela Lansbury Lilly Christine Sabrina (Norma Ann Sykes )
12/8/2017 0 Comments Image Quality Because Of Clarityclar·i·ty ˈklerədē/ noun
All the images of me in this blog are what I see as visibly clear, in focus and high quality. Alllll magazine publication style photography. Every image flatters me and no flaws left. Pinup Dolls Photography Coastal Expressions Pinup and Boudoir Photography Fred Young Hardy Nance Brooklyn Brat Images Denis Larson Chris Reynolds Robert Bennett Pinup Dolls Photography Hardy Nance Tibi Rider Let's get right down to it, in sheer facts. No opinions, no personal taste. Facts that have been and can be proven easily. Quality because of clarity . 1. Lighting in photography is key 2. No amount of editing can make an unclear image clear 3. No amount of editing can make an out of focus image, high quality 4. Magazine publications require edited images that are clear 5. If you view an image on a small cell phone screen and it appears unclear, not sharp and out of focus, it WILL look even more unclear on a larger laptop screen and in print ( If you zoom in, enlarge or blow up an image to the size of a magazine page, about 8 x 11, if it's not clear and is out of focus, it can't be published. ) 6. Clear images that were taken with great lighting and in focus, if they aren't edited and visible flaws are left, they can't be published. ( An unedited image that's in focus does about as good as an out of focus image that was edited. ) Can't be published and if the image totally unflatters you than it shouldn't even be posted! When I speak of visible flaws being left I'm speaking specifically about the models appearance from head to toe. Things like the following. 1. Smooth face but shiny skin on the body 2. Veins, blotches, scars, blemishes, uneven skin tone and harsh shadows under the eyes 3. Clothing tag or snag, fly away hair, rip in stockings Then there's being consistent. Every professional photographer is always going to deliver high quality images EACH AND EVERY SHOOT, EACH AND EVERY CLIENT! The quality you see upon researching them, is the exact quality you'll get. If the last shoot produced high quality images then the next will too! Editing images within a set must be edited the same way, using the same tools and process to look UNIFORM. If images within the same set look different because of lighting, a filter or editing, they won't be uniform. Pinup mags ask for sets where the images match. Same model, same styling, same exact outfit, set and props. Sooooo,...... Same editing, same lighting, etc. If your clients want publication in pinup magazines and specifically book a shoot for that, it's undoubtedly your job too, to research said mags or all current pinup mags in general. You will see exactly what style and level of quality they publish. Shouldn't be solely your client or model who's done a bit of research. No matter how beautiful the model or client is, how fabulous and high quality her styling and wardrobe are, no matter how skilled and creative she may be, no matter how much time planning and preparing, plus investing money was done,..... poorly lite, out of focus, or clear and unedited,..... the ENTIRE image becomes low quality!!! As a stylist I have absolutely no desire what so ever for low quality examples of my work. As a professional pinup I have absolutely no desire and no use in this world for low quality images. As a columnist for the biggest, most popular and most successful pinup magazine in the world, I have NO USE for low quality images in my column's articles!!! Easiest way to tell on a cell phone screen is to zoom in and enlarge an image that is high resolution. Don't have to be a professional, involved in pinup or in modeling or photography at all, to see an image is blurry, unclear and models face is completely out of focus. Image above is model Anna Theresa Kroll taken by me. I'm no professional photographer. And yes more editing can be done to remove the bright spot on her forehead from my lighting. However the original unedited image was totally in focus and clear. A simple skin smoothing tool was used then a filter to add depth to the colors and her skin tone. Any other visible flaws like the bright area can be fixed. Images from this same set were selected into Delicious Dolls Magazine! And in top of that another image from this set, that's black and white was selected to be in another huge, very selective publication, Bombshell Magazine! Took maybe 150 images of her in this same exact look, hair, wardrobe, set and used the same lighting. In my opinion 3 images came out flawless once edited, BECAUSE they were crystal clear before editing. Above you can see my editing process from an image that was in focus and clear originally before I ever did anything. No filter, just a simple skin smoothing tool. As you see the shine still remains slightly. NOT saying my photography is even anywhere near my photographers or that I'm a professional photographer. However I can often take clear, in focus images and lightly edit them.
For my hair and styling demos I often use my cell. Quality isn't as high as professional shots taken of me my great photographers, but like I said, I can taken many clear shots. And even clearer with my Nikon. Image's above are of Kara taken by me. I'm not comparing my photography to professional level photography. I'm comparing it to low quality, visibly out of focus images take photographers are delivering to models. A clear shot is clear no matter who took it or how expensive the camera was! Dianna Prince 12/7/2017 0 Comments Styling A Plus Size ClientI want to begin this blog with saying lots of women do not care if a piece of clothing they adore on someone else, doesn't fit the same on them. Lots of women do not care if the garment wasn't made to fit the way it fits on them, or even if it flatters their personal shape. People, women love what they love. Can be the wrong color, wrong style, wrong fit, wrong size and if a woman adores it, they'll wear it. I've styled dozens of models and non models. They often wear what they want, not what I, as a stylist would place them in or suggest they buy. Someone seeking services and fashion advice is most likely trusting their stylist to know what flatters them and their body shape. You can be a size 12 like me and we have totally different measurements. We can even be the same height and weight and still have completely different measurements and overall visible shape in clothing. Gals that assume they don't need a girdle or modern body shaper and are not plus size, can still have a big mid section. Can be a size 6, half my size and have a tummy. Can be bigger than me like size 16 and have a smaller mid section than me. I have no hips, so to create the illusion that I do, I wear corsets, girdles, body shapers and things like full bottom pantyhose. Those under garments shape my natural assets. Shape, hold in and create the illusion of hips. Giving me an hour glass figure that isn't my natural shape. You can be 5 foot and weigh what a size 5'9 gal weighs. Can even be the same dress size. No doubt the same clothing will appear differently and you're both the same dress size. Breasts, waist, hips and thighs. All things that create shape underneath clothing and therefore create an outter shape. I believe in high waist clothing. Shorts, panties, pants, dress designs, and 2 piece bathing suits. In pinup and vintage high waist bottoms were extremely common until the 60's and are a major part of current pinup fashion. If you love the way you look in something there's no opinion that matters more than that, unless you have a stylist who disagrees. But to buy things that will obviously show your stomach area, then complain while wearing or being photographed in it, is also a bit pointless. In modeling and photography we have the whole, " smoke, lights and mirrors ", concept. Which means walking properly in clothing so it flatters you, good posture. Sitting properly. And knowing which poses flatter you well. Which poses hide what you dislike and make the assets you love stand out. There are certain outfits I won't model sitting in, my mid section looks unflattering in that outfit, in sitting poses. So I simply don't do them. Material can also do things like bunch up, make your skin stick out because the outfit is too tight. It's like corsets and busiters. Can fit well in mid section but if you don't have the breasts to fill them, that gap in the bra area will visibly stand out. It's about not only knowing your size, having personal style and it being the right price. It's also about caring what flatters you and your body shape the most, not another model's. If you're happy with your mid section then by all means don't wear corsets, girdles, body shapers and limit yourself to one pieces or high waist clothing. The choice is yours and it will show if you love your appearance. One of my instructors said, there's no point in wearing a garment if it doesn't fit well. I agree completely but with personal fashion tastes, the word, " well ", becomes the clients opinion. Above is Ashley Graham Unit 4 Project Styling and shopping for a female client who has gained 20 pounds, is now 25 pounds over weight and 5'5. What under garments would I suggest her using and what style of clothing. Also what fashion tips would I give her to flatter her shape and lifestyle. So here's what I came up with. Now they said that this client would have most of her weight gain in her tummy area. The one body part I hear the most compliants about is the abdomon area, tum tum, stomach. Common compliant of my female clients. Girdles and body shapers are a must with every single outfit! That's my #1 advice to plus size gals with a big tum tum or any size gals with a big mid section. Yes I realize 2 piece, high waist bathing suits look fabulous on plus size gals with thick, curvy legs. The hour glass shape is naturally there because of the legs and or large breasts. But if you have a large mid section and tiny legs that balance has to be created and high waist, 2 piece bathing suits aren't going to flatter your shape. Endless styles, patterns and colors of fabulous one pieces. High waist bathing suits also don't flatter someone with no hips. Again, that shape can be created though, using different under garments or clothing. Taking away all attention from the mid section entirely and focusing on the assets that flatter you in a bathing suit or dress. Usually the legs and bust area. I adore flair dresses that stop just under the breast area and flair out, for plus size gals. Or have no visible waist line and aren't tight. Short and at or above the knee to focus on her legs. Incorporate a thin or thick belt up high, just before it flairs out and down. I personally choose dresses that style for me. And as for me I only wear 2 piece, high waist bathing suits with full bottom stockings and a body shaper. They make them in many styles and some cover the tummy in the same area as the bathing suit bottoms do. Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Above is Denise Didot Above is Ashley Graham Ebay $8 to $12 Above is Margaret Macpherson Images found on google search.
12/6/2017 0 Comments Vintage Starlet's in LeotardsGetting ready for my next recreation. Always vintage. Here are some vintage starlet's that had a similar idea and all were photographed wearing a leotard. Many also had the iconic black fishnets underneath. I honestly can't count how many vintage starlet's were photographed or on screen on black fishnets! Under gowns, dresses, skirts, shorts, even high waist bathing suits. So hard to find any of my personal favorites who didnt wear them. I'm going to do a series of yoga style poses on the floor, incorporate a few standing and poses using a stool. Very classic pinup. Most likely will sport by new, fabulous Bettie Page wig or ponytail and fringe bangs. We shall see. I have simple, black ballet slippers. I'm debating if I'll buy the real or really looking ones like Jayne Mansfield is wearing in the images bellow. Of course I want them! But I have the others. No jewelry and simple makeup. Depending on how well my leotard fits I may wear a body shaper underneath. I also have a cute, black tutu for a few fun shots. The background will be all crisp white and I'll be in all jet black including my hair. Jayne Mansfield Above is Rita Hayworth Joan Collins Julie Newmar Raquel Welch Sophia Loren Lucille Ball Audrey Hepburn
Let's give credit where it is due! In all fairness about all the vintage icons, movie starlets, pinup models and burleque performers, MOST were more than just models! Their talents went beyond beauty, sexy bodies and modeling. That's one thing that vintage pinups and lots of modern-day pinups have in common. Those that make money aren't just modeling. And they have been at a professional level a long time. Do you know how many years it can take to even reach a professional level in pinup or any career?!!! Above and bellow is Julie Newmar To say pinup models aren't the kind of models that get paid is totally ignoring those that have and do! Not considering the fact that THEY are at a very high level. What's the point in the words aspiring, amateur, professional, specialist or expert if they all mean the same thing! There are key factors that define a professional pinup model. Those that are making money are usually making it from there fans. You build a fan base by years and years of production. Photo shoots, publication, promotion, advertising, investing and things like magazine covers, articles on you, modeling for boutiques, etc. The fact is all these fabulous starlets and pinups who we recreate, channel and copy the fashions from were all more than just models. Photography is essential so every starlet, model and performer of the past and now need a images for many different reasons. As a pinup it's up to YOU to decide what your images are needed for and what you'll use them to accomplish. Plenty of money to be made if you are MORE than a pinup. And it's made at a PROFESSIONAL level!!!! That takes years, period. Singers, dancers, actresses,.... years and years before any recognition, any achievements, any money!!! Don't think for a single minute these women weren't super talented, gorgeous, driven, and didn't spend years and years working their butts off making a name and getting paid! Above is Jayne Mansfield That's why beautiful women don't always succeed in modeling. Takes so much more than beauty and yeah there honestly is millions of beautiful women all over the world. There's talent, drive, dedication and a biz side!! This is is EVERY single style of modeling. You see models making money,... THEY are professionals, and in pinup we have plenty!! I've never in life heard of a single model at a professional level in modern or any other style, who's making money and quits to go into pinup. If there's so called no money as a pinup then why would anyone leave making money to be a pinup? The answer is they wouldn't and so anyone saying that would have to actually be one of those people or qualified to be a modern fashion model who's getting paid. If that doesn't apply to you then are you qualified to be or become a pro pinup at the level of making money? Lucille Ball I can name a few professional pinups that are well known, worked years to be and have achieved so much. They are making money and several different ways. By styling other models. It's so common if you have the skills. By photographing models or throwing shoots where they style and book a photographer. That's extremely common with some of the top pinups. Then there's those that sing and dance or do burlesque. They are performers as well as pinups. There are many that are designers! They can sew and create pinup clothing. There's Bernie Dexter, owner of her own boutiques, pinup for a major pinup label and has her own designs! No, we all can't be them. But my point is it rings true today from the past that, plenty of pinups make money but they were and are at a professional level, period. And to reach that usually means extra talents that not only make you unique and ADD to your worth, those talents make you money!!!! Raquel Welch I honestly believe there's a select few actual high level pinups, out of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of aspiring and amateur pinups. It's the same in every style of modeling. That's why they are called a PROFESSIONAL. I want to end this topic by saying, MOST of these women were also mother's and or wives, had elderly parents or family to take care of, etc. Almost all had 9 to 5 jobs even after they were on the radio or in a film. Rings true today. If you research you'll also see that so many vintage starlets we adore were very intelligent, educated not just beautiful! Collage grads, classically trained in dance or theatre, business women who started boutiques, designed clothes and began modeling schools!!! Winning an Oscar goes way beyond beauty. Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Vintage Audrey Hepburn
Diahann Carroll is an American television and stage actress and singer known for her performances in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts, including Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess as well as on Broadway. Wikipedia Diahann Johnson, July 17, 1935) is an American television and stage actress and singer known for her performances in some of the earliest major studio films to feature black casts, including Carmen Jones (1954) and Porgy and Bess (1959) as well as on Broadway. Julia (1968) was one of the first series on American television to star a black woman in a nonstereotypical role and was followed by her portrayal of Dominique Deveraux in the primetime soap opera Dynasty over three seasons. She is the recipient of numerous stage and screen nominations and awards, including the Golden Globe Award for "Best Actress In A Television Series" in 1968. A breast cancer survivor and activist, Carroll was scheduled to return to the Broadway stage in the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun as Mama, but withdrew prior to opening citing the demands of the rehearsal and performance schedule.[1] Diahann Carroll Wikipedia Julia was an American sitcom notable for being one of the first weekly series to depict an African American woman in a non- stereotypical role Diahann Carroll & Marc Copage - " Julia" 1968 Actress Diahann Carroll is the first black woman to star in a television network series, “Julia.” The Julia Doll had a Barbie Body and used the Christie Doll Head. There were two Julia Dolls made, TNT Julia and Talking Julia. Julia had dark brown/black hair, but many are found with a reddish brown to red hair color due to oxidation through the years. Dolls that retain their original hair color are more valuable. http://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Julia-Barbie-Doll.html 12/3/2017 1 Comment Make YOUR Models A Priority!Let's make this short, sweet and filled with facts! It's come to my attention over the years from my own experience as well as listening and reading endless posts about photographer's photographing models and NOT making editing and providing images a priority. I am grateful this isn't the norm with most of the photographers I've worked with in the past. There is ABSOLUTELY no way I could have reached the level in at and accomplish so much including all the times I've been published and all of my 42 covers, if those photographers didn't make our work a priority. We know we all have lives outside if our careers and pinup modeling or photography may very well be a hobby, part time or something you do for fun in occasion. However keep in mind just because it's a hobby for you doesn't at all mean it's a hobby for me or those you choose to work with. Also doesn't mean that producing, keeping commitments YOU made and feeling a sense of obligation shouldn't be a factor with every model or client! It amazes me just how many people desire to work with someone who reliable, plans ahead, reseaeches, invests, is on time and prepared, organized and keep their commitments,.... yet these are the same exact peoole who aren't giving all that in return! I feel with all my heart and soul that there's absolutely no reason at all to come together in biz and NOT expect positive results and production. I've never in life heard a single model say she doesn't care about receiving edits! So it's quite simple and crystal clear folks. If you photograph a model eventually she'll expect results, expect images. She will expect to meet deadlines and gain publication as she clearly communicated before the shoot. Communication is essential and it directly shows the models YOU photographed that they are a priority and so is your work together. It's every photographers job no matter who you are, if photography is a hobby, no matter what level you're at it style you photograph, to update your models on YOUR own! I think if a photographer is concerned with the rep they are building they'd be more inclined to make their models a priority. Models talk, we all do. Why build a bad rep and along the way burn bridges! Isn't more worth it to make some changes, break bad biz habits and see your models happy? The biggest eye sore to a model you photographed is to communicate, follow up, ask for an update and she continues to see you posting images of other models and she's yet yo receive hers. Make EVERY SINGLE MODEL AND CLIENT OF YOURS A PRIORITY! Images are of Lauren Becall Question time. Why would a photographer agree to a shoot, plan ahead for that shoot and fail to schedule editing time? You know you photographed a model. You didn't time doing the shoot so why wouldn't you also schedule time to purposely edit and deliver images? No professional photographer will ever book shoot after shoot knowing a model has been and is patiently awaiting edits. Next question. Just how long do you think or feel your model should be patient, asking for updates, messaging to follow up? You catch more bees with honey. But how long is a human being with emotions, with deadlines and goals suppose to act nicely? It's human nature in life, personal or biz to react to everything. We're not robots. I can't imagine expecting a positive reaction to something negative. There's NOTHING positive about waiting months for edits! Nothing positive about poor communication. Let's place ourselves in the shoes of those we value. Valuing your model means she's a priority. How would you feel and therefore react if you invested time and money in a shoot and ended feeling like a burden rather than a priority? Models should NEVER feel your work together is a headache or chore!!!! Why do the shoot if editing images, updating and following up is a headache? No matter how fun our shoot was, how much I loved my look, how much time and energy I put forth, how great your photography may be, if I don't get images it's ALL A COMPLETE WASTE!! If I have to wait months and on top of that communication is horrible, it's NOT WORTH IT!!!! I've always known my worth in biz! I know the value placed upon the things I bring to the table each and EVERY shoot. There's no one on God's green earth that can take away what took me years to build. Can't devalue me, my knowledge, experience or skills.
If a model is made to feel like a charity case simply because she expects edits, then I can't imagine her ever working with you again!!! There's a biz side to modeling and photography. If positive results aren't produced DON'T expect a positive reaction please! Once a year, hobby, part time or as a career,..... pinup cost money! Even if you have the skills and tools to do your own makeup and hair in pinup. Even if you have a closet full of pinup and vintage wardrobe. Even if you have sets and props, your own locations. Even if you have bulit solid biz relationships with photographers that adore you and willing to photograph you for trade. I'm living proof that any and every goal within pinup costs money to accomplish! Hair tools and wigs cost money even if you have skills to style yourself. Unless you're modeling for a designer or clothing boutique, wardrobe for every shoot you do, costs money. Unless you have a set area at home with back drops and props, your own outdoor locations, etc., then whoever you shoot with will have to provide those essentials. Gotta have a location to shoot at and need props, etc. And unless you have one or more pro photographers that are photographing you as equal trade and won't charge you, then yes you must pay. The words, " pay and spend ", are replaced by the word, " invest ", when pinup becomes more than a hobby. Those that have been in pinup a long time and have achieved success and accomplished goals consider it an investment when spending money towards their career. You can have another career, pinup can be a treat or once in awhile thing as a hobby, no matter the case, no matter your age, race, size, or other financial responsibilities, pinup costs money to be involved in, period! Everything on a high end level and that includes working with professionals even when you're not, cost money. Being published in magazines cost money because most gals actually purchase a single copy of each issue they're in and that can add up no doubt, if you're published often. For those with children and have to pay a sitter, there's additional money right there. If you book a shoot with a photographer that charges there's either a deposit or cancellation fee. If you have a manager or booking service that you pay monthly you pay up front for the month ahead and if your payment is late, there's an additional fee above the monthly fee. Things like car show events, pinup contests and pageants, also cost money. Such as Viva, which is here in Vegas once a year. Tens of thousands of people travel here. Tickets cost, photo shoots during Viva costs, money for food and if you live out of town then there's travel expenses and hotel fees. I set many goals within pinup since the beginning of my career until now and they were all reached and others will be reached by investing time and money! I rarely think of my competition because I'm honestly just as qualified as they are, just as skilled and experienced as most, have as many resources as they do and I invest just like them. Competition isn't actually that unless you're equally as skilled, equally as experienced and equal in every way. Otherwise if you're an amateur you're not truly competing with those that are pros! Although I love styling, posing and or photographing returning models and love helping them gain publication and work with great photographers. If you can't afford to keep up with your hobbies financially, then it's time to either quit, slow down or make some plans to save. You can't be in pinup as a hobby or expect to compete at any level without MONEY! I can do my own styling and have the tools because I invested in them. I have new wardrobe for every single shoot I do because I invested in it and I model for a boutique. I have back drops and props because over the years I invested in them. As far as quality photography, after 4 years in pinup, 42 covers and published over 500 times, it's safe to say I've had some great, high quality producing photographers. Those that rarely offer trade or never but photograph me for trade because they see us as both bringing equal value to the table. I don't pay to be photographed yet in 4 years of just shooting pinup I've invested thousands and thousands of dollars! At the level I've reached I still must invest and to reach a higher level I'll have to always invest! Marilyn Monroe
The word, " professional ", is apart of many titles, positions, career fields and in every industry. There are and must be essential things that define a professional. Same with the word specialist or expert. They are defined by certain key aspects that they all have. No matter what style of photography, what theme, who the model or client is, professional photography is far from a guy with a nice camera who photographs models. I have defined professional pinups and things that define a vintage model. Here are my top 5 things on my list that define a professional photographer. After tens of thousands of images taken of me, working with dozens of photographers and setting up shoots via my academy. As well as being a pinup columnist, I feel my definition is spot on! 1. Research They will always research the models and or magazines they plan to work with before doing so. Before booking a shoot with a model. Before shooting and submitting to magazines. They will and already have researched their style of photography and it's history. Meaning professional pinup photographers knowsome history on pinup, the models and styles. ( image above is Elvis ) 2. Great Communication Every single photographer considering themselves a professional and those I see as one, ALL have excellent communication! With every single client or model, with every single shoot. Professionals in every biz I can think of always use great communication and that's key to producing positive results. It's key to keeping commitments, deadlines and working relationships that you value! Must have great communication to become a pro and stay one. ( image above is Elvis ) 3. Great Organization Skills Can't imagine very many photographers who are seen as professionals being unorganized. Production and producing positive results come from being organized. Deadlines can't be net without some level of organization. Shoots can't be successfully planned and positive results achieved without being organized! Scheduling time to edit comes from being organized, verses shooting and shooting and never planning ahead to edit! Models and magazines also must be organized to some degree. If I'm organized and you're not, that's going to cause an issue with me as well as delays!!!!! Seriously. ( image above is Rock Hundson ) 4. Consistency This is honestly something I didn't really begin to grasp and see as extremely essential until last year. Recently reminded of this and it rings so very true. No professional photographer will ever leave his models skin uneven, harsh shadows under the eyes caused by poor lighting, edit out of focus images, leave visible flaws and deliver images that way. Consistency in quality. If you research them and see high quality images, that's EXACTLY the level of quality your images will be. You won't see high quality images and receive low or a lower quality images. You won't receive high quality images one shoot and then the next shoot you receive a lower quality set. If your 1st shoot produced high quality images then, if they are a true professional, EVERY shoot will produce that same exact quality! ( above is Rock Hudson ) Level Of Commitment This is how everything above gets done! That's why true professional photographers are consistent with quality and what they post of their work. It's that high level of commitment that drives them to ONLY provide high quality images, each and every time, with each and every client. Commitment breeds obligation. They bring a sense of priority. Priority to schedule time to edit and deliver. Showing your modeks that your work with them is a priority NOT A chore!!!! Not going to research, invest time and money, not going to schedule editing time, willing to rush edits and deliver low or a lower quality than you promote with, and not going to make your model feel like a priority,..... If there's no commitment level on YOUR end! ( Frank Sinatra above and bellow ) I'd like to end this blog by quoting a photographer I've worked with many times and always loved our images. He said, " there's more to being a photographer than taking pictures. You must also edit and provide them ". Very well said and simply put. I wholeheartedly agree! Having a camera or an expensive camera does not mean that you can produce clear shots. Having fun while we shoot doesn't mean images will be high quality. Producing high quality images doesn't mean your client or model was thrilled waiting several months for them! Can have great communication, fun during the shoot and deliver images when promised, if the quality is low, that's not professional. Just like when I define a professional pinup model. The TOTAL package must be there to be defined as a pro. There's a biz side to pinup and to EVERY style of photography and modeling. Call yourself a photographer or model. If you feel you're above amateur status and are no longer aspiring, then by all means say you're a photographer. However know the definition of a true professional, which there are levels within being a pro, before you call yourself one. My definition is common. Some people may add in being highly accomplished in your field, things like winning awards, having publication in your portfolio, only working with the best and being paid always, as being a professional in their eyes. I do agree but there's different levels, different skill levels and different achievements, all within being a pro pinup photographer or model. Guess I'm saying there's not solely amateurs and top professional, there are those in between. And that's where the inconsistency stems from. Having one or two essential things that define a professional and lacking all the others. Photographers that charge and have clients paying them hundreds or thousands of dollars to be photographed, are CONSISTENT! I guarantee you if you research them you'll never see the quality vary from one model to another. They NEVER provide or post anything unless it's high quality and best examples of their work. Above is James Dean
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2019
Categories |