MuseImages

SUMMARY – LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MUSES

A Muse is a source of inspiration who brings the creative best out of the artist. As a photographer, the purpose of Muse Images is to maximize beauty in all its forms. I view women as the crowning creative achievement of God and nature. This has led my photography to primarily focus on capturing images of women although I have also done architectural photography, weddings, and portraits. I will eventually get around to including men in shots but simply have not had the time!

In college I majored in graphic design and did a great deal of photography with traditional film cameras. I developed, processed and enlarged my own prints.
However, the more rational part of me decided that if I wanted to support a family with a decent standard of living, I best “get serious” about my aspirations. As such, I changed majors and received my masters degree in business. Since then my focus has been on my career. Because of my busy life, I sold my cameras and darkroom equipment in 1990 and did not pick up the camera again until three years ago.

The rediscovery of this art has been a great adventure and very fulfilling to me. It is bringing balance to my life, been fun, and provides an outlet for my creative side. It is also a way I relieve stress from my regular career.  As such, I want to have fun doing this as I work with other creative people.

My current focus is fashion, glamour, editorial, vintage and other unique concepts for mainstream commercial use. I also shoot lingerie, boudoir and nudes for specific purposes or on request. My specialty is maximizing the natural beauty of women within these contexts. 

I shoot with a full frame, high resolution camera and the best lenses. I am very adept at Photoshop CS5 and do all of the post process finishing work. My capabilities include basic finishes to major retouching such as digital makeup, “plastic surgery” (i.e. breast augmentation and liposuction!), or even relocation of the model. For some projects I create female fantasies so the model may not end up being her literal self when the image is completed.

Rate:     $100 per hour or 1 look

Trade: On request for concepts I am interested in.

I travel frequently and most of my work has been done on the road. So if you have a compelling concept but are not in Tennessee, I may travel to you.

DETAILS – FOR YOUR A-MUSE-MENT

Working Together

Commissioned Work

My rate is $100 per hour or 1 look.

You will let me know the concept and image you desire. We will discuss it and work to bring your vision to reality.

If you want a makeup artist and/or hair stylist (MUAH), you will locate and be responsible for payment. I can assist in locating professionals if you desire. I strongly recommend the use of a MUAH in most cases, as I have found the results to generally be better than when such services are not used.

You will own the proofs and final images to use for whatever purposes you desire.

I retain the first right of refusal to finish any of the proofs.

Trade

We will work to mutual agreement on the concepts and how they will be executed during the shoot.

Model and photographer releases will be executed prior the beginning of the shoot.

I will provide a release so you can use the images for any purpose; however, if you need an image refined for publication or other purposes, I reserve the first right of refusal to provide the service. Usually, this will be without charge unless it is for a commercial enterprise. The reason for this is because I do not want an image associated with me to be modified or manipulated by someone else with poor results or outside of the original intent of the shoot.

You will provide me with a general model release so I can use the image for any purpose.  I am open to some mutually agreed upon modifications to the release.

MUA/Hair stylist costs will be split evenly.

If I Hire You

I will explain the concept I desire. I will ask for your input and participation in refining the idea but I will retain the right of final decision.

You will sign a general model release before shooting begins that allows me to utilize the images for any purpose.

Payment will be generally made via Paypal or cash. Usually this is done at the end of the shoot unless a booking deposit is requested in advance.

I will locate and provide the MUA/hair stylist as needed.

Things To Know

Escorts

Safety and a comfortable environment are important for all concerned. I have no objection to escorts provided the following is understood:

The escort is to help make the shoot a success. He/she is not to distract the model or interfere with or interrupt the shoot. Remaining unobtrusive is the best policy unless I invite the escort to participate.

The escort will assist me (for instance holding a reflector, etc.) if asked to do so.

Lingerie, Boudoir and Nudes

Lingerie, boudoir and nudes shots are shot by request of the client or when I hire a model for that specific purpose. 

If your Model Mayhem profile states you do not do nudes, I will not ask unless it is for clarification; for instance, some models do not do nudes but will do implied nudes. I have also noted some profiles that state the model does not do nudes but nudes are in the portfolio. This can be rather confusing so I may ask.

If the shoot is not for the purpose of nudes or boudoir and that is clearly understood, you will not be pressured in any way to go beyond what was agreed to. There are more than enough models who are happy and available for nude work so I do not think it is necessary for any photographer to pressure someone to go further than she has indicated.

If nudes, lingerie or boudoir are the intent of the shoot, I will ask very specific questions to determine what your limits are. Although general terms such as “Playboy” style can be somewhat helpful, I have found getting specific is the best policy. It ensures we are on the same page and there will be no possibility of misunderstanding during the shoot. So expect questions referring to anatomical parts! Please clearly state what you will and will not feel comfortable with and those limits will be honored.

Model Involvement in the Creative Process

I most enjoy working with models who are engaged in the creative process from beginning to end because I feel that creative contribution, as well as the ability to model, bring tremendous value.  If you do not want to be involved, please let me know.

Posting of Images and Credit

I will post select images on MM from the shoot and credit you. I also appreciate models who post images they like from the shoot on their Model Mayhem or other website and credit me. These referrals are of value and appreciated.

What To Expect

Before the Shoot

I believe outstanding images are the result of meticulous planning. As such, expect to work with me via several pre-shoot emails, texts and calls. The focus of the planning will be developing the concept and ensuring all the pieces are in place to achieve the objective of the shoot. This includes finding the right location(s), the right MUA/Hairstylist if needed, props, clothing, etc. I do expect thoughtful and thorough responses to my emails so that things are not missed.

I have noted a direct correlation between detailed planning and image results. With better planning beforehand, the more fun and productive the actual shoot will be!

I will provide a business email for you to directly correspond with me. This will also allow exchange of images and documents and more immediate replies as compared to the Model Mayhem email system.

The Shoot

I shoot with a Canon 5D MKII body combined with Canon’s top of the line “L” series lenses. The Canon 5D MKII has a 21 megapixel, full frame sensor. This means that the quality of the image is superb. It also means that it will capture extraordinary detail down to the hair on one’s arm in a full-length shot.

As such, do not be concerned if during the shoot you notice that there is a lot of detail both good and bad. Have faith that I will take are of any blemishes or unwanted details in post processing.

I also wirelessly tether my camera with an iPad. This permits me to see immediate out-of-camera results and allows us to make any adjustments. I will refer to it frequently during the initial lighting and composition set up stage of the shoot. Once things are set up and we begin shooting a series of images, I will only refer to it a few times.

I will show you the iPad from time-to-time to consult with you to ensure we are achieving the objective we desire; however, please to not get focused on looking at the iPad after every shot. This will tend to break the rhythm, chemistry and creative momentum of the shoot.

Images you will see on the camera LCD screen or iPad are small JPEGS that the camera’s software has processed according to what it “thinks” is correct. If you are viewing the image to evaluate how the shoot is going, only use it to adjust posing, expression, general composition and lighting. Do not use it for detailed evaluation, as the quality of what you see will not even come close to what the final processed images will be.

I will spend a good amount of time setting up lighting, general composition, and ensuring the details are taken care of. My approach is that it is better to get things as close to perfect when shooting versus cleaning up errors over oversights in post processing (Photoshop). Numerous test shots may be taken until everything looks right. Then the fun begins and a series of images will be taken.

Once that series is completed, clothing, location, lighting, etc. will be changed and the process begins again.

Post-Shoot Process

I will sort all images captured. Lighting and composition evaluation shots, “bad” shots such as unintentional eyes closed, out of focus, etc. will be deleted. The remaining images will be designated as “proofs”.

I will take the proofs through an initial adjustment process to refine generalized lighting, color, contrast, etc.  so you can get a good idea of their potential; however, keep in mind that they will not be as fabulous as a final, fully retouched image.

Proofs will be provided to you via a free service known as Dropbox. I will put the proofs in small JPEG format into the shared folder to which you will be given access. You will be able to copy these proofs from the Dropbox folder to your computer so you can review at your convenience.

Dropbox is a convenient method to transfer large files back-and-forth. Unlike emailing images, there is not a problem with how large a person’s email inbox is. You will need high speed internet access. Try it; you’ll like it!

For your ease of use, I do not put a copyright notice or watermark across the image (to me this makes evaluating the image difficult); however, the copyright notice is in the file itself. The proofs are not to be utilized for any other purpose than selecting images to retouch and are not to be posted or emailed to anyone. This is an issue of trust and I assume trustworthiness in the models and clients I work with.

Depending on the shoot, I will let you know how many images I will finish for you. In general, it is one to two finished images per look. In reality, it will most likely be more simply because I enjoy doing it; however, I prefer to commit to a smaller number and surprise you later! Additional images can be finished for a fee.

Finishing means that I will take the RAW format image and, utilizing Photoshop CS5, retouch the image until its potential has been maximized for the intent. I am very adept at Photoshop and have done complete digital makeovers, moved models from one country and scene to another, and changed the mood of a scene via color and lighting adjustments.

Please let me know if you do or do not want to know what changes I have made to the image. Some models like to know and provide feedback while others do not care.

A finished image will be provided in highest resolution JPEG format. JPEG files are smaller and easier to move around; however, because it is compressed there is some loss of resolution and quality over time. For most people, however, this is adequate.
If for some reason you would like it in TIFF format which is lossless and uncompressed (i.e. better for archive purposes), please let me know and I will be happy to provide it.

Questions

Message me and I will be happy to reply!  Hope to be working with you soon!