The scope, breadth, and diversity of style in award-winning photographer Mika Fowler's portfolio is such that you might assume it's the work of numerous photographers. In fact, it's the work of a single talented individual whose prolific output ranges from photojournalism to editorial to fine art.
For info about trades and paid figure modeling........see below.
The smallest little studio in Tallahasse at Railroad Square will be open from 7 to 9pm for all of the 2008 First Friday events at Railroad Square Art Park. See:
http://www.railroadsquare.com/
My studio will be open to the public during FIRST FRIDAY Events from 7 to 9pm.
The First Friday Gallery Hop at Railroad Square Art Park
On the first Friday of each month thousands of visitors attend the First Friday Gallery Hop at Railroad Square. In coordination with the city-wide series, most of the shops and studios in Railroad Square are open for this lively event. At Railroad Square, you can visit more galleries and art studios in a single location than anywhere else in the city. Live music is played at several locations throughout the Park. Some of the galleries offer refreshments and hors d'oeuvres, and the Renaissance Café stays open to serve fantastic dinner options. Larger galleries may feature exhibits from a variety of artists while smaller ones display their own new works. The belly dance studio may put on a show and a drumming circle enlivens the evening. Come and join us for one of the best regularly occurring forms of entertainment in the whole city!
Stop by and say hello!
For Wedding photography see:
http://mytallahasseewedding.com/
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Tips for models that wants to shoot TPI or TFP with me:
a) Quickest way to get a gig is to send me a simple, clean, well-lit headshot, Keep the avant-garde pics or the full-body shots for inside your profile, because most photographers and casting directors are looking at the face first.
b) Get reliable transportation and get to a casting session ON TIME or ten minutes before if you can. Showing up early will always score you major points. ("My car blah, blah, I forgot the map at home, the dog ate the directions, traffic, blah, blah," will not fly. And NEVER, EVER use the "I feel so sick because I drank too much last night." Most photographers I know, myself included, will give you a pat in the back and tell you to google the nearest AA meeting and will not touch you with a ten-foot pole.) Here's some insight to the PROFESSIONAL photographer's mind. Of course the photographer gets excited when an attractive model walks into the studio. His first reaction is "I bet she'll look great in this or that setup." But if she shows up late, she's got an attitude, that initial excitement quickly gives way to the following thoughts: "Hmmmm, if I schedule a shoot, will she show up or will I waste my time, will I be paying my assistant(s) for nothing that day, will I be able to make the rent in my studio..." So --to quote Tony Soprano-- never forget that "this is a business" and even when it's TF, the shoot has to have business-oriented results, i.e. to produce the best possible pictures than can bring clients to the photographer. It's a fun business, and most of the times in involves an artistic sensibility, but it's still a business. Bottom line, if you show up on time and it's between you and a better-looking model who was late, 95% of the time you'll get the gig.
c) Approach a TF shoot as if it were a paid gig. Remember, the photographer is not getting paid either, so do not make the fatal mistake of treating a TF shoot as a "free" shoot. The only way to get a photographer to bring his A-game to the table, is if you bring your A-game as well. And if you do, you'll start getting recommended for paid gigs faster than you think.
d) DO NOT photoshop the crap out of your pictures!! This may seem like an odd statement, in a business that's all about beauty and perfection, but altering your appearance significantly on the pictures that you post here, is actually detrimental to you getting gigs. Fixing a pimple, a drop of sweat or stray hair on your pictures is, of course, okay. If, however, your pictures are overexposed and filtered beyond recognition in Photoshop to hide age lines, your actual body shape liquified and skewed to make you look thinner, in other words, a different person shows up to a casting session than the one in your photographs, what do you think the photographer is going to do once he realizes how much extra work he'll have to do to get a usable picture?
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Paid Figure Modeling
FIGURE MODELS
What You Can Expect
Paid figure modeling is nude or (very occasionally) topless. Clothed models can be had merely for asking. Pay is at the approximate rate of $50 per 2 hour sitting and does not include breaks. In a two-hour photo shoot you will be in front of the camera for approximately an hour and a half and will be paid $50.
1. You will be asked for proof of age. I do not photograph models under 18 years of age. There are no exceptions to this rule. Please remember to bring a photo-ID.
2. You have the right to refuse any pose. Please remember that you are being paid to do nude figure modeling however. Full frontal nudity is to be expected. If you wish, I will show you examples of my photography before the shoot. When I feel that a pose is overly explicit I use photoshop effects to minimize its sexual impact. As a rule, I use poses that are relatively mild. You will be treated with respect at all times and I will assume responsibility for your safety. I do not touch my models unless there is no other reasonable alternative and then only with permission.
3. Please wear loose non-constricting clothing to your shoot. Leave your undergarments at home or pack them to change into after the shoot. Anything with elastic in it marks the skin and the shoot will have to be delayed until the marks fade. This would mean sitting around nude and unpaid for some time, so don’t wear elastic. You may wish to bring a bathrobe to wear during breaks.
4. Before the shoot you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. There are no stupid questions; if you have any, ask them. The model- release contract will be explained to you. Again, if you have any questions, please ask them.
5. Photo shoots are conducted as follows (per 2 hour segment): I will shoot for an hour. You will then be given a 15-minute break. Smoking is permitted. I will then shoot for another hour.
6. After the photo shoot you will be paid and will be asked to sign a release. Signing the release is a condition of being paid. The photos are useless without a signed release.
8. You may bring a friend if you wish, but no boyfriends and not your husband. They invariably, in my experience, want pornographic photos and we would both find that embarrassing and distasteful. I would like to reiterate that you will, in any event, be quite safe and you will be treated with respect.
10. Up to five selected 8 x 10 “straight” photography prints of photos taken during your modeling session may be purchased at cost. Alternatively, two special effects prints made from photos taken during your photography session may be purchased at cost. Additional prints will be priced at $50 each for straight photography or $100 each for special effects photography. These prices are for models only.
11. Modeling in exchange for prints may be negotiated but I will retain the negatives and the copyright.
Boudoir basics
Whether you're ready to brave a professional photo shoot or perhaps try it DIY-style in the privacy of your home, heed these tips.
• When choosing a photographer, trust word of mouth and check references. Avoid photogs with a no-escort policy (what are they trying to hide?); you'll feel more comfortable if you can bring a friend for moral support.
• Try posing in a fur coat, your guy's baseball shirt or his office shirt and tie with something lacy underneath.
• Get your body photo-ready by shaving, tanning and applying makeup heavy enough to show up on camera. Have it done at a department store counter or, if you're engaged, get a trial run of your wedding day hair and makeup before heading to the studio.
• Use natural lighting if possible.
• Have the photographer highlight the parts of your body you and your mate love most. For a more discreet picture, stand behind a gauze curtain.
• Keep the props and background simple so they don't upstage you.
• Look directly into the camera to create a connection.
• Photoshop is your friend. But don't go overboard, removing the mole your boyfriend loves or slimming down your thighs to the point where your husband doesn't recognize them.
• "The camera hates anything that's flat," said photographer Jamie Jackson. In fact, flat things look bigger on film. Pose with one hip or shoulder forward for a more flattering result. For a slimming effect, have the photographer shoot downward.
• To loosen up on the set, bring music — think Christina Aguilera's Candyman, Fergie's Glamorous, Beyonce's Diva. A glass of wine helps, too.
• If you have children, keep the photos in a discreet album. And no matter how hot you think you look, resist the urge to post them online.
• Share a few pics with your sweetie, and dole out the rest over time. Stash one in a drawer, the glove box of his car or the freezer for a fun surprise.
• Your better half might be too shy to initiate the photo shoot herself, so consider doing it together or at least getting her a gift certificate for a shoot. "Lots of women are too self conscious or otherwise reluctant to instigate it themselves, but as a gift would love it. And, it comes back to him — a win win," said photographer Lisa Presnail.
• Leave something to the imagination.
Sources: Amber James, Laura Garcia, Jamie Jackson of Jackson Studio, Lisa Presnail of South Tampa Photography, Robert Crum of Robert Crum Photography, Zekeshem Parsons of Blue Lane Photography
Mika's award winning work has been PUBLISHED in Esquire, American Photographer, Vogue U.K and numerous other national publications.
Mika is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers and has over 20 years of experience working in film and digital photography
