FYI - When I get really busy, I sometimes let my messages pile up, or get lost in the shuffle, so if I don't write back right away, it's not you, it's me.
You can contact me here if you'd like to book a session.
I will not respond to tags (too disorganized!) If you really want to work with me, send me a message, and tell me what you have in mind. (The more specific you are the more likely I am to consider shooting.)
Let's see...I'm 27. I'm a girl, so I will not be trying to have sex with you if you come to shoot.
I have always liked playing dress up.
I like bright, colorful, sexy, shiny, stripes, dots, , monochromatic, themes, costumes, fairy tales, crazy makeup, interesting ideas, and models that want to have input on their shoots. I shoot fashion, glamour, boudoir, pin-ups, fetish, funky, sexy, silly, and whatever else strikes me.
I am co-owner of
FNS Studios(#433225), a photo studio in Springfield MA.
Available for
- Model portfolios
- Senior pics
- Portraiture sessions
- Band & solo artist photos
- Actor's headshots
- Weddings
- Events
- Commercial projects & product photography
- Events
- etc
I'm shooting almost no TFP right now- I'm a freelance photographer, so that's what pays my rent.
If you want to book me and pay me, I'll shoot whatever you want. My rates are very reasonable. Plus, I'm fun!
However, I may shoot TFP if you agree to come to the studio and let me do whatever I want with you...
Not interested in shooting TFP Pin-ups unless you can do your own vintage hair&makeup.
I'm very picky about who I shoot for free - If you write and ask me to do TFwhatever and you don't have a look that I want right now, I'll say no. Please don't take it personally. The time I have to shoot for myself is very limited and my rent just went up again.
I think that a photo shoot should be a relaxed and fun experience for everyone involved. Producing quality images is also important, of course, but if you're not having fun, it will show in the pictures.
PLEASE: No flakes, no divas, no drama queens, no sulking, no whining, no pouting.
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I work pretty regularly with these wonderful hair/makeup artists:
Thairapist (David) #377963
Heather Burtch #520034
SaliorGirl of Hot Rock & Dye #174818
Jenny of Sassylooks #114361
They are amazing and do beautiful work. However, they're also busy people, and I'm always looking to meet new people to work with.
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Currently looking for:
-
Makeup Artists,
Hair Stylists,
Clothing Designers, etc who are interested in collaborating on projects together. (Your projects and mine)
-Pregnant model interested in some fun, unconventional, editorial-type expectant mommy pictures.
-Current or former ballet dancers who have their own toe-shoes (and can still get up on them), or who have feet on the smaller end of the scale, as the pairs I have are, I suspect, a size 6 or so. Your own tu-tu is a plus. I am bored with mine.
-Models with vibrantly colored, shaved, spiked, or otherwise interesting hair. Also
white hair... I have a thing for the white hair...
-Models with fetish-type vinyl/rubber clothing in their wardrobes.
-Models with corset piercings (I have a weird sort of weakness for them)
-Models interested in experimental, non-sexual nudes
-Redheads. Real ones. I'm talking genuine ginger kids - pale skin, crazy freckles and fire bush.
-Models with unique looks in general.
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Chaperones/escorts are fine as long as they will sit quietly with a book, magazine, laptop or the like and amuse themselves.
Escorts that are a distraction to the model or to myself will be asked to leave.
Escorts that stand behind me and talk to the model while I'm working will be set on fire.
I do not take kindly to no call/no shows. I understand that life is unpredictable and that things happen, but really, guys, it's basic good manners to *call* if you're going to be late, or if you have to cancel.
(A hangover is not a real reason to cancel. That's just bad judgment.)
You can reach me on
AIM, if you're so inclined: OPDKhavi
Please have something specific to say if you're going to IM me - Idle chat with strangers does not appeal to me.
..and yes, I have MySpace and a Facebook too:
www.MySpace.com/LesleyArakPhoto
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AmherstSp … 213?ref=ts
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Photographers! For more information about the Group Shoots at FNS Studios, please feel free to contact me!
FNS Studios - Events and Studio Rental
FNS Studios hosts Group Shoot events every month. A group of experienced models are made available for photographers to shoot with one-on-one in a relaxed setting. Shoot in-studio, outdoors and throughout the studio complex located in the historic Indian Orchard Mills. Hair/Makeup Artist(s), costumes, props, etc.
If you don't have a studio of your own, you can also book your own models and rent studio time hourly for one-on-one shoots.
~~~~~~~~~~
-I'm not "collecting friends", I'm just networking.
PLEASE NOTE! Tags are great, and I love you for leaving them... but if you actually want to work with me, you have to send me a message saying so. I don't respond to tags, it gets too disorganized.
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHY
Event/Promotional
Salon Chiala's Cause/Effect Benefit Fashion Show 2007
SidVintage/Dynamite Records Anniversary Party Fashion Show 2007
BOUND Nightclub, Hartford, CT 2005
Dark Millennium Nightclub. Hartford CT 2005
Club Therapy, Providence RI 2005
Commercial
Sinn Metals jewelry
lemor designs jewelry
Thomas Hooker Brewery
www.myspace.com/hookerbeer
Strong Coffey Personal Training
www.strongcoffey.com
MrsBeauDangles Jewelry
www.mrsbeaudangles.com
SidVintage Vintage Clothing
www.sid-vintage.com
Across The Chest (party wear)
www.acrossthechest.com
HalloweenAsylum.com Commercial/Product photography
EverybodyShirts.com Commercial/Product photography
Official photographer of The Connetikittens
www.myspace.com/ctkittens
PUBLICATIONS
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, October '09
-fall fashion feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, March '08 cover
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, September '07
-fall fashion feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, April '07
-cover + inside feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, March '07
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA, December '06
Hallmark Institute of Photography 2007 Program Guide
Talkers Magazine, Springfield MA, September 2006
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA, August 2006
Valley Advocate, Style feature, August '06
DeviantArt.com. Los Angeles, CA
-Photographs featured as DailyDeviations May, August 05, March 06
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA 2005
Varla Magazine, Varla.com 2004
PlasmaRag Magazine, plasmarag.com 2004.
-Photograph featured as cover image, May
Savage Magazine, 1999
SHOWS
Valley Photographic Center, Springfield MA 2005
Featured Artist, “Glam in the Valley" show, April
Dane Gallery, Indian Orchard MA
Featured Artist “In Other News…" show February 2006
Featured Artist "A Look at Erotica" show March 2005
Featured Artist "Glam at the IOM" show October 2004
Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography, Turners Falls MA
Doctors Without Borders benefit exhibition and print sale June/July '06
Part of museums permanent collection
I graduated with my portfolio in the top 10% of my class from
Hallmark Institute of Photography.
