LGL Underground

Hi, welcome to my MM portfolio.

So, what am I doing here?  I’m not for hire.  You’ll have to appeal to me on a different level than something merely monetary. 

I’m not a perv.  I’ve shot hundreds of models and muses and yes, clients in the past, and not that I’ve done it all, because there is so much more to do, I’m not about to ruin my reputation carrying on like a perv, doing this just for kicks.  Not my style.  Not my agenda.

So, what gives?

Artist...
............. Photographer...
................................... Sculptor...
...................................................... Muse Maker…
...........................................................................Gallery Exhibit Producer
………………………………………………………………Experimentalist…
…………………………………………Soul Explorer…
……………….Muse…
Muse Maker…


Well, you get the idea.

This past spring was a busy one, with several gallery exhibitions.  Awarded by juried selections and invitations to exhibit large format canvas prints and a few of my life sized sculptures in not only Denver, but a few very prestigious fine art galleries in NYC, Washington DC, LA, and mid-America.  Some of the works have garnered "Best in Show" as awarded by not only gallery juries, but visiting guests.
A few of those images are posted here in the port, on my site, and scattered around the US.

Inquire if interested in learning more and if you'd like to be considered to model in an upcoming shoot or sculpture session for my next few juried submissions (this fall and winter submissions are being done now)! ********

(((and now, for an important message:  I wont DO fashion, unless we talk about it at length, I am comfortable working with you, I bring an escort or two, and I have final say in all images. Sorry, but I cant see just taking pics of fashion, and seeing them on the web.)))  … sarcasm, I’m nothing without it.



It's been said that I am far more of an artist exploring my soul AND the soul of my muses than a photographer.  I can use many cameras just as well as most.  I understand lighting quite well, but to me, the camera is somewhat of a simple brush.  Imaging software and printing is certainly a canvas of sorts.  But I suppose my strength lies in my ability to dip the "brush" into our collaborative souls, and capture an image that is deep, passionate, and ... if we are in synch... spellbinding.

Poet/writer Dylan Thomas used to instruct his actors to "love the words".  And in the same spirit, I ask my models to love the light, but even more importantly, embrace the shadows.

"Embrace the shadows"...
I have never asked a model to shoot nude, implied nude, naked, or erotic.  I let them explain their vision to me, and together, we find something that works.  I like to think that I'm not shooting someone who is nude, but rather I am draping them in shadows, enhancing their emotion.  Call it what you want.  Some call it spellbinding.
I guess my port can be confusing since there are many nude images.  But overall, the vast majority of my shoots start out obviously scantilly clad, lingerie, sheets, shadows... and by the muse's choice, progresses to what they decide.

And THAT.... is how I roll!  LOL

No, you won't catch me heavily debating with the camera nuts over such topics like f-stops, and ISO, and Nikon vs Canon vs film vs digits.  It's not that I care less, because I am a student to the craft (and always will be) and evolving technology, but in the past, I have created startling and excellent images with cheap $99 1MB digital camers powered by creativity, desire and passion. 

It's not the equipment, its so much more.  Oh, and rest assured, I have upgraded and updated equipment over the years.  And yes, I am a huge fan of Leica!  They kick glass!  LOL.  End of equipment debate!!!

But I'm a believer that I am fueled and inspired by passion and quest for journeys as opposed to technical proficiency.  I am far more interested in collaborating with a muse, as opposed to shooting a posed model.  Ask me to elaborate if this sounds confusing.

Sculpture........................  Yes, I do this and paint too.  The Warm Form sculpture is a new medium for me.  Just something that evolved from the inspirations.  You'll see much more of this in the upcoming months.  Such a nice way to round out the photographic arts.   You will engage me deeply... if our visions are shared.  I love collaboration.  Thrive off of it... try me.  If you want to shoot with me, you must have reasons.  Tell me.  Don't just say... "nice stuff, let's shoot".  Tell me what compelled you to write, ask, seek.  I do TFP/TFCD quite frequently.  But what makes that go better for both of us is an open exchange of ideas that will set up the theme and goals of our shoot together.  This is not just me shooting you, but you exhibiting an image and passion for me to capture.  It goes both ways.  So, let's talk about that... and ... create.

(.... and now.... The following is a commercial message.....  ( :  Tongue in cheek.....No Nudity!!!  I will not do nudity, implied nudity or adult photography!!!      Oh, and I won't "DO" what you call erotic art,     mkay???  (But if your clothes fall off during a shoot, I won't waste time by stopping the shoot just to adjust that, we'll find ways to work through it.  It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.)    again with the sarcasm, lol.

Sorry for being so sarcastic.  I know, some people just have to have boundaries on what they do and don't do.  Should that stop me from joking about it?  Nope!    But I do wholeheartedly respect it.  Don't worry about that.
LOLOL

Alright, so now you might start to realize I have a sense of humor.  Sometimes sarcastic.  Ok, a bunch of times.  Probably my best characteristic I think.  Well, that and my loyalty to my friends.

So, really about me... I grew up surrounded by art.  My parents owned an art gallery in NY in the 60's and 70's.  As you can imagine, it was filled with fine art, many great paintings, sculptures, etc.  I fondly remember being impressed from the beginning with the many fine studies of the feminine physique.  There are a few pieces that come to mind to this day, that still compel me.  During those years, I worked in the back shop, crafting custom frames, to help pay for college.

I took up photography at a young age, and by the time I was 10, had a darkroom and was rather skilled in B&W work.   I'm not sure why the arts or something creative didn't strike me as something to pursue on my way to college, but I ended up becoming an engineer (MS), traveling the world for our country for a decade, and then set out on a few business development ventures.  Still active as a business consultant which affords me much travel.

When I was a scuba diving instructor in Grad school (engineering), I studied underwater photography and became quite proficient.  I think Nikonos was my middle name then!  LOL.  I enjoyed it, and while I don't do much of it anymore, I did take photography seriously even at the university level.
9 years ago I awoke from a lifelong engineering/technical haze and had a vision.  It spoke to me, and was rather vivid.  "Create from within... with no bounds".  I decided to see it through and started getting serious about the artistic side of photography, driven by the seduction of.... whatever the vision can seduce. 

I'm not so compelled to explore any kind of pornography, and I'm not sure if I would classify my visions as erotic photography, and then, after all is said and done, I'm not sure if I need to classify it at all.  It's my vision, and I search out Muses who can help inspire, nurture, collaborate, and yes... create.  This is truly a journey, as I let it go in a few different directions.

Last decade I didn't really "do" this for any purpose but to be true to my vision, and pleasing those who viewed the results was icing on the cake.  But once I started down the path of shooting shared visions with others, did I then realize that helping to create their own images was fun, satisfying and also paid quite well on the gallery level.  Collaboration can be difficult, but necessary for it to succeed.

Things have progressed quite nicely over the past few years since I now shoot with more frequency and purpose, so there are a few high profile projects of interest (magazine article shoots, personal fine art shoots, and an upcoming gallery opening/display series(s).  And of course, I love love love shooting fine art shoots for models who truly want to have a few shots in their collection (not necessarily their port).

I have done many shoots with people (ordinary, models, celebs, housewives) who would never normally consider a seductive shoot.  Never ever.  And some cannot afford the publicity it may take on.  I have been fortunate to be trusted with their privacy, and hence, you'll see images where the subject is just not really recognizable.  Another genre... anonymous.  I smile as some images of some very famous people have been in gallery exhibitions, with thousands of on-lookers... and nobody knows the person they are viewing are famous.  Interesting...

When I go back and look over my library image collection, there is tremendous variety, but one theme stays true... and that's the philosophy that "it's not what you see is seductive and erotic, it's what you don't really see that your mind runs wild with".  And so, there, I will say it, I like taking advantage of the brain being the biggest sensual motivating organ, and start the seduction there.  I'm a visual... and recognize the cerebral motivators that come with that.

As far as Credits and Projects to be listed... I'm not here to list them out.  Some of my models/clients just prefer it that way, especially if they opted to take shots to the edge of their boundaries.  They all wanted certain images for themselves, and not for others to see.  And... a few like the fact that their images are hanging in Fine Art Galleries, and admired by many, but recognized by no one.  A few short simple discussions would reveal that I do that quite often.  However, the demand is increasing for fine art to be included in their ports or bedroom walls.  Hence my invitation to MM.
On MM, I will certainly tag those ports that strike me.  I understand that my work is not for everyone, and I completely respect those that don't want to do nude/eros/seductive work.  And in fact, I am rather shy here, as I don't want to offend.  And so if you like what you see, are compelled to say hi, awesome!  If you are intrigued about being the subject of a shoot, let me know, as I again, don't wish to intrude or offend, so my time here is generally on the passive side.

I don't approach anyone here, rather, I'd like to be invited into discussions about a shoot with you.  Since so many here are not into nudes, implied nudes, or the fine art genre.  If you are, don't be shy, I'm waiting to hear from you.
I am here to find models who like what I do, and are interested in being a part of it.  So, if this is something you are interested in, then please, please at least say hi, and we'll let nature find its way.  I rarely if ever, turn down a testing request.  Some of my projects have budgets attached, and others will just need to be creatively testing TFP/TFCD.  You'll find I am open, honest and easy to work with.

So, with that long diatribe, have the best day!  MM rocks!

*** NOTE:  I DON'T DOOOOOOO FASHION!!!  DON'T ASK! ***
(LOLOL, that is for all the models who say that they don't do art or nudes.    PPPpppphhhhhhhhhhttttttttttt! playfully executed by the way...)

******** While I do have some clients, those are typically clients who are paying to be shot themselves.  The gallery exhibition invitation and judging images are done on spec. and inspiration and invitation.  So those shots will be done collaboratively.... TFA... Time for Art, as I look to share digital images and in some cases, large format prints and canvas to the models who share in the project.*************

I'd like to thank the Academy, without you I would not...... blah blah blah blah blah, and lastly, I'd like to thank my 2nd grade reading teacher... she was haute'.    (yeah, that's my best Paris Hilton impersonation... LOL)

So, credits.  Should I be so pompous as to list all of the clients, art galleries, publications, books and such that I and my work have appeared in?  I have dozens of links, but I only send them out when someone asks, and they have good reason to do so.  Just seems like too much work coupled with a healthy dose of insecure bravado... and I'm not in to either.  But I do have a significant amount of online portfolios ready to send if and when our conversation gets there.

Thanks and have the best day ever!