Being able to create the things I wanted to see. I am beginning to realize I just might not stop picking up the camera. I've been interested in digital art and photo manipulation since the age of 12 so eventually I just wanted to use my own material vs stock photos.
What particular challenges do you face with erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
Now that I think about it, I wouldn't describe Dangerously Dolly as erotic. However, I do love erotic art and would love to explore that someday. If I could describe my work now, it would probably be more along the lines of alternative pin-up/conceptual.
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
I wish I could experiment with film, but it's expensive! Eventually I'd love to take up on the challenge. However, for the kind of work I do, I prefer digital above anything else.
How did you become interested in fetish/BDSM?
Well, now that I think about it, when I modeled for a very short period of time 4-6 years ago, I looked at Betty Page a lot. Total babe! I bet a lot of people list her as an influence.
Do you enjoy fetishism/BDSM play in your personal life, and if so what are you into?
Hahaha! Not as much as I'd like! I love to be written/drawn on. I also like to be tickled. It's nothing sexual, it just relaxes me.
Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?
Definitely, a lot of performers like to borrow from the culture to incorporate in their own performances.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
I love working with hair! I sometimes do it for my own photo shoots. I remember a big-headed hairstylist practically told me I don't know how to do what he does. Lead by example: If you're anything like me, you would know you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Stay patient, be persistent, and fuck the rest! If you're curious, you can see some of the hair I've done on my model mayhem page. I also love make-up. Sometimes, I enjoy drawing... It just depends! I'm always wanting to try and learn new things. My boyfriend wants me to learn to tattoo. Ha! If I can learn that, forget about it. I can really do anything.
What kind of music do you like?
Oh, my taste in music makes no sense, I like many genres. Rock and roll at heart though!
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to spend time with the people closest to me. I love to travel. Looking to travel the world for photography's sake someday.
I've always enjoyed taking pictures of people. In early 2006 I was working for a heavy metal magazine covering death and black metal bands, and I bought a Nikon D50 to shoot the bands. In 2007 I transitioned over to shooting models due to my interest in creating art and fashion and did about a thousand shoots in 3 1/2 years. A lot of hard work and a big investment in upgrading my gear, camera, all of that, but it's been a blast.
What particular challenges do you face with erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
Mainly where to market it. I shoot for a couple pay sites here and there, but I don't shoot a lot of erotica otherwise. Since I'm primarily a high fashion and glamour photographer I'm focusing on those markets, though I do enjoy and love shooting art/glamour/fashion nudes and erotica. With erotica, I would just have to look into how to sell it other than websites, be it publishing a book or selling to collectors. I'm definitely interested in that though.
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
Digital only - I enjoy film and the entire process of it, but it's not something I incorporate into my own business.
How did you become interested in fetish/BDSM?
I like the fashions; I love latex, collars and everything that comes with it. The market I shoot often for also has a lot of clientele interested in the same, so it kind of came naturally with what I was shooting. My own personal life didn't really have much to do with it. I just happen to photograph the style well and know many clients who love it and buy into how I shoot it.
Do you enjoy fetishism/BDSM play in your personal life, and if so what are you into?
Well, I won't get into much detail, but I'm a very, very dominant person. Take that for what you will.
Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?
They're both just huge markets now. Pinup is all over the place, you see so many girls wanting to wear vintage dresses and pose next to '50s hot rods. But it's definitely a big fad, and it's very oversaturated. Its appeal is that it's very fun and has several different elements to it - such as cheesecake or burlesque - and people definitely are buying into that. I think fetish, well fetish fashion specifically is more mainstream. You see latex and bondage fashion used in music videos and on the runway, and in magazines worldwide. Japan for example has been all over it for years. And you see it a lot in America now - there is tremendous talent designing the apparel, and fetish conventions everywhere for both the fashions and lifestyle. Where people didn't want to talk about this stuff years ago, it's become more and more prevalent now that the fetish culture is a lifestyle to be encouraged, and it's often best expressed artistically in photography, film, music, etc. I enjoy the large talent pool that's been created out of it, that's for sure!
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
I'm an average musician/aspiring singer and I want to get into shooting video more. I think it'd be something I'd really enjoy. I also have writing on the backburner...it was what I was doing before I got into photography, and I want to eventually try it again someday, be it writing a novel or being a columnist.
What kind of music do you like?
I'm a punk kid at heart. Skater, hardcore, ska, I love it all. I'm fond of metal quite a bit, mostly death, black and thrash. I also enjoy '90s alt-rock being that I grew up on it, and several different MCs in underground hip-hop. If I had to list 10 favorite bands right now...Streetlight Manifesto, Tool, Against Me!, Smashing Pumpkins, Shining, Municipal Waste, Pig Destroyer, Aesop Rock, Katatonia, and Radiohead.
What do you like to do for fun?
My photography. It's my career and I love it to death. I also play way too many video games, jump around while listening to my iPod, eat and cook - I love cooking - and I enjoy life and the people I share it with.
Runfrior, Designers - Black Lotus Clothing and Gothfox Designs
Model - V Nixie, Designer - RAW Textiles
Sylvia Go-Go,
Twigglet, Designer - Black Lotus Clothing
Tara Ryze, Designer - Black Lotus Clothing
Amber Renee, Designer - Squeak Designs
Twigglet, Designer - Black Lotus Clothing
David Clic Photography Interview
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What inspired you to pick up a camera?
A friend bought a SLR camera ( no digital back then ) and let me borrow it for a week, I didn't want to give it back and was well and truly hooked, I soon bought one and spent every spare penny on film!
What particular challenges do you face with Erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
It's critical to establish a good connection with the model, only when they feel relaxed and confident will the magic start to happen, it comes from experience I guess, I've done so much now that i'm totally relaxed with the model and I think they pick up on that. the lighting is very important too, can really accentuate the mood.
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
I'm definitely a digital person! I'm not a critic of photoshop at all and think it's a powerful tool for creativity. There's so many wonderful images out there that simply couldn't exist without digital post processing.
What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future?
Although I work across all genres and feel confident with them all, I do have a love for alt and fetish photography. It just seems to be a great outlet for creativity and expression, so I think there's plenty more to come for fIXE readers if they like what I do :)
What advice would you have for anyone just starting out in the industry?
It's certainly not easy, anyone who has started out will quickly have realized this. Give it 100% , it's hard work but put the hours in and be creative, original, develop a recognizable style at first, you can change it later and believe in yourself.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
I am just starting out in videography, but very much at the start of the learning curve, it's very different but I'm enjoying it!
What kind of music do you like?
I have 'spells' where i'll listen to one genre endlessly then move on to another! Right now I'm listening to quite punky stuff, last week I was playing the smiths constantly, next wheel who knows? Could be soul or metal :) I'm not up to date with current chart music to be honest.
What do you like to do for fun?
I don't get much time for a life at the moment, but love to relax and chill with good friends or family when I get the chance, precious times that I cherish :)
AMY ROBINSON, JAYDE DECAY, KITTY LIQUOR, LOUU GIBBONS, NOCTUAM AND RUBBER ALICE AND STACEY DEEVINE, ALL DID OWN HAIR, MAKE UP AND STYLING
VIOLETEYES -
HAIR AND MAKE UP - VIOLETEYES
LATEX - BLACK SHEEP LATEX
PLUGS - SICK PLUGS
ROXY REVEALS
MAKE UP - ROXY REVEALS
WIG - GEISHA WIGS
PLUGS - SICK PLUGS
SABINA DEMONIA
HAIR AND MAKE UP - ABIGAIL KATE MAKE UP
LATEX - AM STATIK LATEX
Paul Musilli, Blue Box Photography Interview
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What inspired you to pick up a camera?
I've been interested in photography since I was a child taking photos of my toy trucks with a Kodak Insta-matic. In college, I experimented with infrared film and shot a whole slew of surreal landscapes as an Art major. Then I put the camera away for a good long while, figuratively speaking, until a perfect storm in the mid-2000s of affordable prosumer DSLR technology, model/photographer social networking sites, and a shared interest with one of my good friends launched me into model photography.
What particular challenges do you face with Erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
I don't really consider what I shoot to be "erotic." At its most provocative, my photography features women in lingerie in slightly seductive poses - I don't shoot nudes or overtly sexual themes. And to be honest, I find this type of photography much easier to shoot than, say, weddings or children's portraits. Generally speaking, the women I work with want to be photographed and they are cooperative and patient with the process!
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
I learned how to shoot, develop, and print both black and white and color film in college, but I much prefer the immediacy of digital photography.
What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future?
I'd like to shoot in more of an editorial style where the whole of the photograph tells a story. I'd like to take the time to develop themes, add complementary wardrobe and props, and fully visualize a shot before I even pick up a camera. And I'd like to continue to work with creative and artistically-inclined models.
What advice would you have for anyone just starting out in the industry?
Practice your craft as much as possible, paying particular attention to lighting and composition. But while you're doing that 12 hours a day, spend the other 12 hours learning as much as you can about sales, business, and marketing yourself. There are a lot of lousy photographers out there making a living because they're good sales people. If you can make yourself into a phenomenal photographer and a self-promotional machine, you can write your own ticket.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
Yes! I've been a musician since I was a kid and I still play rhythm guitar in one band and bass in another. And I pay my mortgage with my day job, editing promos at BBC America. Watch Orphan Black!
What kind of music do you like?
I was weaned on punk putting the Ramones above all else. Later I moved on to techno and worshiped at The Crystal Method altar while simultaneously chilling with the Dandy Warhols. Lately, I haven't found anything new that I really like.
What do you like to do for fun?
Go on adventures with my three young daughters, drive my 1966 Mustang, and root for the New York Rangers. Oh, and photograph tattooed models in lingerie. ;)
I wanted to learn macro, I was fascinated by seeing small things in such detail; things you take for granted every day have so much interesting detail if you look through the lens! I did that for a few years and decided to try my hand at people, teamed up with my partner who is a professional re-toucher and TwistedPix was born.
What particular challenges do you face with erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
Ignorance is the main issue, people can still be very narrow minded despite the fact we apparently live in a modern society. We have been met with some distaste occasionally! As a lot of our work is very dark and well.... twisted, people often don't understand it.
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
As much as I used to love shooting on film, I really enjoy the freedom that digital offers, so at the risk of hearing the collective gasp, I'll say digital.
How did you become interested in fetish/BDSM?
I've always been a very alternative person, with a darker nature, so I love to explore different things; it was a natural progression I suppose, I don't find it strange. I find that I feel very at home shooting bondage, fetish and the like, it's my comfort zone and the place I return to when all the 'nice' gets a bit much!
Do you enjoy fetishism/BDSM play in your personal life, and if so what are you into?
Yes, I am a huge fan of play piercing, blood play, Shibari, Latex, Corsetry...the list goes on. I'd say blood play is my favorite, yet the thing I get to do the least often.
Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?
Incredibly so, yes. I think it has reached the stage now where it's practically the normal, everyday scene. It saddens me that the community aspect of it is dying out now in some ways because of the recent flood of fetish as fashion. While in some ways it's great that you can pop to the shops in latex, it's taken some of the allure out of it.
What kind of music do you like?
I have incredibly diverse taste in music, it's easier to say what I don't like! I hate jungle, drum & bass, that kind of thing. Everything else, there will at least be some that I like. Rock and Hip Hop being my two main loves.
What do you like to do for fun?
Apart from trying to stab people with sharp things whenever I can (or they're not looking), I'm a chronic baker! Cooking is a passion of mine, I don't see it as a chore to be done but thoroughly enjoy preparing great meals and cakes! I think it's also fair to say that I find my job fun a lot of the time. I think if it ever stopped being fun I'd probably just quit and go back to an office job. If you're going to do a job you hate, you may as well do it and get weekends off lol!
