photoguide.txt
050727 1700 

This is a very rough draft of an attempt to write down some of my
thoughts regarding a photo session of a model.

At the moment, I am not photographing people professionally. I've been
into photography at varying levels of activity since I was 12
(1973). I got my first camera (an Argus C3) that summer and my first
SLR (a used Minolta SRT-101) for my bar mitzvah in Sept 1973. Shortly
thereafter my Dad and I set up a darkroom downstairs at our house, and
I did primarily black and white photography for several years.

I've recently starting doing more studio style photography, primarily
portraiture, figure and fetish photography. At the moment, I do not
charge for a photo session, nor do I have money to pay a model. I get
the opportunity to practice and improve my craft, and you get nearly
professional quality work for free. Depending upon the goals of the
session, I may use my digital camera (at the moment a 5MP point and
shoot Vivitar), or one of my 35mm SLRs. If you request that I shoot
35mm, I may ask you to supply the film and pay for processing.

The first questions to ask when planning a photo session are 
"What are the goals of the photographs?" and 
"What will the photos be used for?"

Some common goals for photographs are:
To make an aesthetically pleasing picture.
To evoke an emotion.
To convey an impression about the subject.
To convey information.

Some common uses for photos are:
Art.
Online dating.
Web pages.
Modeling samples

I often try to shoot pictures that represent the subject's
personality, as well as their appearance. Most people have hobbies or
interests, with characteristic clothing, tools or toys. For example, a
cycling jersey, a bicycle, a motorcycle, a motorcycle jacket, a
wrench, a broadsword, a sportscar, a baseball glove, a hockey stick, a
pet, a musical instrument and so forth. 

Most people have physical characteristics that they particularly like,
or dislike. To get the best photograph, I need to work with these
characteristics. I will do my best to be tactful, but when discussing
them, and how to best show or conceal them, I'll need to be honest and
straightforward about the, and will need you to be as well. 

When doing a studio style photo shoot, I often use things like
bedsheets for my backdrops. If you have bedsheets or blankets in
colors that work particularly well with your complexion, or the
clothes that you want to wear, you are encouraged to bring them with
you.

I shoot a wide range of photographs, from straight portraits, to nude
art photos, to fetish photography. If you do not feel comfortable
being alone with me during the shoot, I will not be offended. I have a
couple of assistants that I can usually call on, or you could bring a
friend for moral support. 

The more preparation that can be done before the shoot, the more time
that can be spent actually taking pictures. If you can send me an
email discussing the following subjects, we can be better prepared
both logistically and artistically for the shoot:

What do you want to use the photos for?
  Post on your website.
  Send to potential online dates.
  Print out and give as gifts.
  To accompany a publication.
  Just want a decent photo of yourself.
  Want to do modeling, and want some sample shots.
  Want some art photos of yourself.
  It just sounds like fun to model for a session.

What do you want to convey in the photographs?
  Want to look as attractive as possible.
  Want to look professional / competent.
  Want to look available.
  Want to look dominant / assertive.
  Want to look submissive / vulnerable.
  Want to look sexy.
  Want to look muscular.
  Want to show off physique.
  Want a pretty photograph.
  Want to emphasize cleavage.
  Want to minimize weight.
  Want to show off your hobby.
  Want to reflect some aspect of your life or personality.

Do you already have any ideas of what you want the photograph to look
like? 

Do you already have ideas for what clothes you'd want to wear, or what
props you'd want to have in the photograph? Do you have them? Or would
we need to borrow some for the day?

Do you have a location in mind to shoot the photograph?

What do you look like? What is your height, weight, measurements etc?
What characteristics do you want emphasized or obfuscated? What are
you willing to do to achieve the desired effect? For example, with
proper application of tape, a woman's cleavage can be emphasized.  If
you have nice hair, backlighting can emphasize it.

Do you have any pictures that you can send me of yourself? Can you
take a trial shot, or send me a sketch of the photo that you want to
take?