Modeling is not an easy work : it's art. And models are inspiring and talented persons. Of course, all the good photographers know that, and you'll read how much they care for them.
Beyond the beauty of their perfect bodies, there are the expressions, the emotions, the poses, etc, all these particular qualities which make the difference between a good and a bad shooting.
I wanted with this long article (20 hours of work ! I need some rest...) to thank you them for their grace and their dedication to such a difficult exercise.
By order of appearance :
Iris Dassault
Lela Rae
Muse
Catphrodite
Kat Love
Anyssa Jordan
Dollybeck
Iris Dassault
Lela Rae
Muse
Catphrodite
Kat Love
Anyssa Jordan
Dollybeck
" I work with people that are more than models, they are truly the main subject of the image - these people bare their soul, more than their bodies, they explore their boundaries, their freedoms and freely give of their emotions as well as their poses. Without these wonderfully understanding artists, there is no hope of Art ever being created." Beau eRomantica
Iris Dassault
by Jim Young
" Let me start off by stating that I absolutely love tasteful, original art photography, especially black and white. I admire photographers who know how to balance composition and lighting. I much enjoy the process of contributing and collaborating to create that interesting image. Photography and the process to create that image is my passion. It's a desire to be part of the process to create something beautiful. "
" Modeling is a form of creative expression to me. When it comes to creative expression, I don't like to impose limits upon myself. I shoot the things I like, the things that move me, with the photographers who inspire me. I give it my all. I follow my own path. I like to express myself through body motion and gesturing, through props and my environment. I like to express myself through movement and dance. I do not limit myself to any given style of photography. It doesn't matter if it is film, or digital, if it is digitally altered, or not. The only thing that matters is the end result.
" I like to work in all styles because it offers a much broader range of variety and creative expression. I think each style has something beautiful to offer, and I enjoy exploring all spectra of photography."
Iris Dassault by Jim Young
"Veiled in purple"
" I am proud of my body and my shape, curves and all. I do not compare myself or my work to that of ohters. Others can do what they like, it doesn't affect the things I do, nor will I judge others for their style or look. I'm confident in my ability to pose and my ability as a model - it's confidence I have gained over the past year thanks to the advice and guidance of some wonderful photographers. I am ME. And I am comfortable being me.
" I enjoy modeling tremendously and it really doesn't matter to me what others think of my work as long as the photographer and me are in full concurrence that we accomplished what we set out to do : Create an image that moves us both. If you like it, that is wonderful of course, but it's not the objective. My motivation comes from within. To me, it's the only way to be."
" Regarding the models there are not enough words. Without them there would be just a landscape, without their passion and expression there would be just a pretty face and for me the beauty of a woman is not in their physical attributes instead in what they have to share through self confidence, expression, understanding and trust. Each of the models I work with share natural beauty, there is never any make up and I have to remind them not to do their nails, there is nothing artificial just body language and it is my job to look closely at feelings, light, mood and to integrate the sum of these parts. These young ladies are bright and their abilities should never go unquestioned. The models work hard and give 200% of themselves. It is for this reason that I must do my very best for them each time I pick up my camera. They have my utmost respect !" Gerhardt Thompson
Lela Rae by Paper Moon Production
" I am an art nude model, musician, and dreamer. I work with mostly fine art photographers... though I am open to many styles. I prefer nude modeling, but I love fashion as well. I love to collaborate with photographers who have a ton of ideas and can find the ones they believe I will fit into the best."
" For some reason, the question just randomly passed into my head, and I couldn't get it out : "what's the life span of a muse anyway ?"
For some, it seems one photo shoot is the life span. For others, sometimes a few. And yet for some, even throughout history, it seems a lifetime isn't even enough, and their collaborations as artist/muse go on into infamy. Edward Weston was the first to come to mind.
I don't know personally the answer to the question. I think it's different for everyone... but I also think the word "muse" is one I've fought with as long as I've been around it. In music most speak of "inspiration" or "duets" or "collaborations"... not "muses". It's a more personal thing I think, then the word muse seems like it can sometimes be. And yet, I still find it very flattering, for someone to say they consider me a muse... be it of their personal work, or of the work I do in general. I've had both said of me.
Lela Rae by Timothy Nolan
"Mirror, Mirror"
" I still always can't help though, but to think of my first response, the very first time a photographer used the word muse, in hoping I was going to prove to be his next one. (See.. in that context, it seems the word is more equal to "inspiration" then anything else.) I emailed back to him, that I didn't know what a muse's job description was... and that if he happen to see one, I'd very much like to know about it ! I can't help but picture a flying pixie with fairy dust and butterfly wings. Granted... I suppose some could call Tinkerbell a muse ! And that seems to be all I see in my head (though always the Julia Roberts version of Tinkerbell from "Hook" because she's just stunningly gorgeous no matter what!). But that's been quite a while ago now... and he's still a photographer I enjoy working with whenever humanly possible... so maybe he was right after all. Still haven't see that "muse" though !"
" For me, the model is a co-equal partner in the creation of an image. I was lucky to start with the best at Flagstaff, and I have been spoiled by them. The best see modelling not as a somewhat dubious job to earn some money nor as an opportunity for indulging their exhibitionism, but as a way to pursue their own artistic aspirations expressed through their poses. The expression that I most like to capture is that of an emotional relationship with the particular natural setting. But that presupposes a model who feels herself as a part of, and who is responding to, the nature within which she is moving. Where that is so, no directions by the photographer are needed - just an ability to recognize and capture what is happening. Where the model does not have that rapport with her environment, directions may help to create an image, but its artificiality will show." F.W. Scharpf
Muse by David Charles
"Berries"
" My name is Muse, I am a nude model with a difference : I consider myself a creative catalyst for my own imagination - not just the 'photographers model', but an artist in my own right. My body and face are the tools that breath life into my visions ; the photographer is the eye through which my imagination is revealed to the world."
" My interest in modelling stems from acting as I feel the two merge together seamlessly. 'Photography as art' is what I'm passionate about... my heart predominantly lies with art nude, I adore this type of work ; the freedom of movement it gives, the simple natural beauty, the wonderful curves of the body reflecting light and shadow. The human body is awe inspiring and I believe the figure of woman in every shape and size is Mother Nature's ultimate masterpiece ; to hide it is an insult to the creation of beauty.
Muse by David Charles
"Eastern Promise"
" I am purely driven by the art and the creativity of modelling. I'm not a woman that will ever compromise her artistic tastes for financial gain. Pornography or explicit nudity will never be a genre I will slide into under any circumstances ; not for love nor money. Even uninhibited nudes should leave a little 'something' to the imagination !
" My goal is to re-capture the art within the female form, helping to create images of beauty - images which provoke the mind and soul rather than just the loin ! To open minds, cover new territory, and challenge peoples perceptions of the nude. In the right hands the camera enables us to capture and immortalize living breathing works of art... unlike a lot of nude artists I do not wish to 'shock' with my work - I merely wish to evolve and explore the natural beauty of the female body in as many ways as my mind can conjure."
" I have to pay tribute as they have not such an easy task. Have you ever tried to pose ? Believe it is not easy at all. Some do it with great ease as if they were born to be in front of the camera. They do it with natural and grace. For the other, it is the job of the photographer to make them feel at ease and let their pose become as natural as possible. They are like actors without text to tell ! I really think it is necessary to have a good knowledge of ourselves to pose well, and certainly to feel good in its body and mind. Dealing with nudity, it is then even more obvious the have this high spirit." Olivier De Ricke
Catphrodite (Nori Z)
Catphrodite by Tiana Hunter
"The light half"
" I am here to delight your aesthetic taste buds with my unabashed Nori-ness. I am a raven haired, well-balanced, bendy type creature. My pleasure and my purpose is to work with creative minds in order to bring vision into being. I am an art and figure model, always willing to portray self and shades of self.
" I've been modeling for over seven years, although I didn't start until my late 20s. I have worked with numerous photographers and artists and have traveled to some interesting locations.
" I'm also a college student, working toward getting my degree in Biology. I am fascinated by the intricate workings of nature, and am in awe of the abundance and diversity of life in all its forms.
" I model as a means of expression. I truly enjoy working with photographers and artists to make a vision come to life. I have never looked at this as a way to find fame. I am, in fact, a loner, and quite content to live a quiet existence out of the spotlight - unless, of course, the spotlight is part of a photographer's lighting arrangement.
Catphrodite by Zeitgeist Photography
"Staring at the sun..."
" I live in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. I am far enough away from the bigger cities to consider myself a country girl, yet close enough to them that I can hop on a bus and be in the center of things in two hours. It's a nice balance of things.
" My every day adventures away from view include wrestling with domestic felines, canines, and house rabbits. For fun, I like to hula hoop naked. I am the quiet type, and an irrepressible goofball. I'm mischievous. I enjoy a challenge. When I grow up I want to be a scientist. As of September 22, 2007, I am happily married to my own true love. Life is good."
" I can't say enough about how incredibly fortunate I am to have the opportunity to work with these wonderful people. Their patience and understanding and trust are all invaluable to making the images work so well. I've said before, if it wasn't for them, I would only have a large collection of well lit and quite boring paper backdrops ! Not to play any favorites, but there are a few people who have supported my work with their incredible talent and friendship." Scott Nichol
Kat Love by Kat Love
"Remodeled"
" I've been an artistic nude model for nearly 5 years. Photography, painting, sculpting, casting, drawing, mixed medias, video art... I'm professional, experienced, and have excellent references. "
From Lily Review :
" Kat Love is a professional model who describes herself as nomadic but commonly in the San Francisco, California area. In the past four years, she has worked as an artistic nude model and has runway experience as well. She also specializes in modeling for amateur photographers who are looking to build up their portfolios and does figure/life modeling for individual artists and classes. Photos of Kat have been published in three books, a calendar and also on a CD cover.
Kat Love by Leon Saperstein
"Inflame"
" Kat rejects the notion of a connection between nudity and shame and writes : "I specialize in artistic nude modeling because in art, the human figure is seen as beautiful and not necessarily as an object of shame or sex. My work is not an exploitation of nudity or exhibitionism but is rather a statement against the United States' illusion of shame when it comes to nudity. "
" She also speaks out against commercialism in society and its impact on the modeling industry, stating, "Commercial models are one of the many types of powerful pawns within the capitalist system. Advertising increases consumption and thus participation in the exploitation of humans and the environment." She manages her own modeling career.
" Kat holds an associate's degree in liberal arts and two bachelor's degrees : one in philosophy and the other in political, legal and economic analysis. In addition to continuing her modeling career, she is pursuing a PhD and plans to become a teacher."
" I seldom work with professional models, concentrating on 'normal' women. Most of my models haven't posed nude before and experience a real shift in self confidence as a result of working with me. I'm blessed with a beautiful and tolerant partner who models for me on a regular basis and assists on many shoots. I'm fortunate to have the trust of so many women without whom I would not be able to create. My shoots are a collaboration and I attempt to capture something of the models personality in all my work." Rob Benson
Anyssa Jordan by Michael Helms
" It may be her almost mystical grace and arresting beauty that make her so bewitching, but there's a subtler texture and an effervescent creativity to her body of work ..." Thomas S. Roch Eros-Zine
" My passion for performing took hold of me at a very young age. It was my nursery school teacher who recommended to my parents that they enroll me in dance classes. I studied ballet, modern and jazz. In school I also studied drama, fine art , voice and piano. I was fiercely dedicated to my dancing and went on to receive my BFA in Dance with an emphasis in choreography from Ohio State University.
" After graduation, I moved to San Francisco to perform with dance companies and work as a personal fitness trainer. After a long career as a dancer, I decided to finally take a well deserved break from dancing. I was interested in other forms of performance and began studying acting and modeling. I also fulfilled another of my dreams and became a California state licensed cosmetologist. I began working as a hair color specialist and stylist.
" I now reside in Los Angeles and spend my time acting for film and television, modeling and doing hair. I am currently studying acting with Michaeljohn Gonzalez and improvisation at The Groundlings. My ambition is to continue working as an actress and model."
" With art nudes there has to be trust for the model to be comfortable. I have a great deal of respect for all the models I shoot who have placed faith in me to produce an image that shows them in the best light. More importantly, without the model I cannot practice my art, so they are the most valuable resource to me." Gavin Bell
Dollybeck by Robert Woolrich
" I am an experienced freelance model & have extensive knowledge of most aspects of modelling. I have experience in catwalk, fashion, artistic nude, fetish, pin up, hair, promotional work, acting, and photographic modelling. I have worked with lots of agencies, photographers & artists for exhibitions, magazines, books, shows, advertising, television and websites.
" I have been published in several UK fashion and hair magazines, with a number of front covers. In Australia I featured in 'Fashion Nudes', Black & White magazine, L'Oreal Hair magazine and the front cover of Kink-E magazine.
" I was lucky enough to be part of the Canberra hair show, where I won 1st place with Anton's hair salon the stylist.
Dollybeck by Stefan Postles
"Broken Ballerina"
" Television commercials that I have appeared in are ActewAGL, Quality Hotels, Canberra Labour Club and corporate videos.
" In 07/08 I managed a Canberra modelling agency in Australia and taught all aspects of modelling to potential models – catwalk, commercial acting, photography, grooming, deportment and etiquette.
" I am reliable and professional in my work at all times. My aim is always to perform to the best of my abilities and I hope to continue shooting and creating great work."
" The first thing I teach to a new model it's respect. If the model don't feel secure in a shooting, she won't make the things right. The models are always my friends because we work together in the picture and it ends better with two minds on it." Jose Manchado
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