Photos of you?

Most of my models are friends, or people I meet in the course of work and play, but every now and then I meet someone online that I end up photographing. Since it seems that I end up having the same conversation over and over, I thought I'd write a little bit about the way I work.

I don't have any specific age/race/body type requirements, but your look has to intrigue me on some level and I will ask for a photo before we meet.  Couples must have a good physical dynamic together. I also must feel that we have some sort of creative spark together in order to make the collaboration work.

You should be someone who is excited about making images. Most of my models are "real people" and my interest is in exploring who they are, what excites, fascinates and intrigues them. I am not interested in casting my models as people they are not. Do not come to me expecting me to make you into some glamorous creature unless that is who you are (and most women truly are babes, whether they know it or not).

I am very interested in working with couples and in exploring the visual manifestations of relationship ... I love photographing couples of all sorts.  This is my favorite kind of work.

Yes, I do shoot men, just not as often.  I don't usually work with male models that have not been referred by someone I know personally, but I will do it on occasion.
 
 

Still interested?
 

THE TECHNICAL PART

Documentation
I will ask you to bring me proof of age to keep on file, even if you've been voting for decades. You must be over 18 and able to document it legally.

Model Release
I will ask you to sign a model release before we begin the shoot.  I use a standard, industry release.  If you are not sure you are comfortable allowing my photos of you to be made public you should not be doing this.

My Usage
 I am available for hire and those images do not get published ... but I require full access to my personal work. This means I will use my judgement & publish or not as I see appropriate opportunities arise (see Publication).

Your Usage
I encourage my models to show the photos in their portofolios. BUT - this doesn't mean you have any other rights to public usage of the images. The negatives and the copyright are mine.  This means that if you want to put the photo on your website or publicize your band or take out an ad or if some magazine wants photos of you for an article, YOU MUST DISCUSS IT WITH ME FIRST. I may or may not be able to grant you some limited usage. If you would like to be able to use my images, please let me know in advance so that we can come to some agreement.

Prints
You will get copies of whatever I print for myself from our session together.  Most people can expect two to five 8x10 prints from our session.  As long as I have valid contact information for you, and when at all possible, you will receive copies of any publications that use the photos, and I will inform you of any public use of the work we have done together.

Money
Don't expect to make money modelling for erotic art photos.  I do my personal work for the pleasure of creating, and expect my models to be similarly motivated.  If I end up making any significant amount of money on sale of the work, I will gladly send you a check, but this is the rare exception rather than the rule; don't expect it.

Publication
I have no idea when, where or how I will use your images.  They might remain forever in my portfolio. Or I might use them on my website or in an exhibit. I publish in several magazines and do book covers. I can show you examples when we meet.  But ... new outlets for my work are always coming up and there's no predicting where I may find application for the work in the coming years.
 

THE CREATIVE PART

Your Boundaries
Know your boundaries before we begin to shoot. Take some time to think about this. If you are a couple, how sexual are you comfortable being together on film? Discuss BOTH of your boundaries.  What are the things you absolutely WON'T do? What would you LOVE to do? I will discuss all this with you before we shoot. Remember, the work we do will be sensual and erotic, but doesn't need to be explicit.

My Boundaries
Yes, I have some.  There are a few things I won't shoot.  We can discuss this.

Among other things, I do not shoot explicit work with single men who are not personal referals.

Communication
"No" is a complete sentence. If you are uncomfortable during the shoot, or for any reason need to stop, say so. We will stop immedately or move on to something else. You will have considerable input into the creation of the images.

Please do let me know any questions or ideas you might have and what your expectations and hopes are for the shoot.
 

If you think it would be fun, exciting, sensual, daring, empowering, a kick or any combination of the above to model for me, please email me at: mserchuk@photodiva.com
 

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