Models please check out references of people who have worked a photographer prior to scheduling photo sessions......
Starting in September I will only be doing a very limited TFCD schedule......
You should always check references of models that have worked with each photographer that has contacted you or you are thinking about working with, to get basic reliable information, as there are always jealous individuals out there that start rumors for their own gain. As a talented photographer said on MM whom I agree with:
"I appreciate models who are serious about their work, who make and keep appointments, offer suggestions, and arrive on time. I have wonderful respect for them, because they respect my time and effort. I will do my best to help them with their modeling careers"
Here is just a sample of what a few models have said about how I work and their reaction to the false statements some people like to spread. More can be obtained by contacting any model that I have worked with:
SRTSRT Mayhem #216550……Ray I had an amazing time working with you! You are by far one of the most professional and talented photographers I've met and I feel very lucky to have shot with you! Thank you for everything.
Meliane Lynn Mayhem #114491….Ray just glanced at your info and saw someone's spreading rumors ??? What an idiot...it just sucks that bad people ruin it for the good. You are like the most professional photographer I've ever worked with and I couldn't even imagine what someone could possibly construe....Anyways! Have a good week ;P
VyL8 Aubrrey Mayhem #628025….I have worked with Ray many times and I can attest that not only is a great photographer but he is also very respectful and a great person with whom to work.
Anne Shaar Mayhem #525326….I have worked with Ray, and he is a very talented, respectful individual. He's a great photographer and an extremely nice person. I would recommend him to any model. Please ask for references.
Nora KS Mayhem #682620.... hey ray its been a while...miss u! see someone is spreading rumors...well trust me anyone is lucky to work with you! i have had a few bad encounters and you were not one of them!!! keep up those amazing photos!
Ashley Marie MM 439745.... I think that you (Ray) are the best photographer that I have worked with. You understand what the model wants and don't go for anything else. You are very professional and trusting, one of the only photographers I would recommend!
Steffie Ann MM# 445470.........Ray you are truly one of the most talented photographers I've ever had the pleasure to work with. I'm sorry to hear about the blatantly false rumors someone is spreading about you!
Whitney Lee MM # 6884775 .... I have worked with Ray Sopczuk on different occasions and I have to say it is not only a privilege, but also an honor to work with such a Professional Photographer. When I first started working with Ray I found out quickly that it wasn't just a shoot, but an educational experience as well. Ray is very experienced in the industry and has no problems passing that experience on. He will never work outside a models comfort levels and his work shines through in his pictures. For those that have worked with him you already know, but for those who haven't yet you will be in for an experience you'll never forget and become addicted to shooing with Ray over and over again.
Jessamyne MM #152077 ......I enjoyed working with Ray. He is a creative, organized, professional photographer who made sure I was always comfortable and happy through out the shoot. I highly recommened working with him.
NK aka Sally MM # 326884.... Hey! Spreading rumors! Ha, they are just jealous! You are the best of the best!
Kelli MM # 10449.... Sorry to hear you are having issues with a photographer. Jealousy really is the highest form of flattery!!!
I've worked with you more then once and hope to work with you again.
Kristina N Murray MM# 454385..... Ooh, just saw that someone is spreading rumors! Oh no! Well, I for one want to say, and hope that people read this, that you Ray, are an amazing and respectful photographer. I loved working with you the two times that I did, and I hope that someday again we can meet up and collaborate! Much love!
~KNM
Mandy Grace MM# 660811 ..... Ray!
I had such a nice time with you today! You are such an AMAZING photographer and so great to work with. Thank you again for squeezing me in while I'm in town! I really appreciate it.
Sweet Romance MM# 75734..... Ray, you are so amazing to work with. I always enjoy our work together, and your kindness exceeds most. Thank you for everything
Suzy Q MM 484449.... Yikes. People spreading bad things about you? You're wonderful! Screw them =P Models..don't listen. He's great ^_^
Christie Mayhem #676 Ray, Just wanted to say that we had an awesome shoot last night! You are so talented and fun to work with, im so glad your just around the corner
.....
and I just read the top of your profile, I will be a reference to any photographer or model wanting to work with you, theres nothing bad to say about you. I have worked with you Ray, since I was 14 years old, in fact you were the first photographer I ever worked with.
Ray is an amazing photographer, and if this is true, and people are spreading nasty rumors about such a great photographer, thats sad.
You'll always be one of my favorites
Renee5387 ... MM#1084236...Ray, you are beyond amazing to work with!! It was soooo worth the trip, and I cant thank you enough!! Especially for hangin out for a while to see if Niagra Mohawk was gonna make the shoot happen ... lol...
Thanks for everything!
Hank Mahar Photographer Mayhem #274930 This is an unsolicited testimonial about Ray Sopczuk. Ray is a consummate gentleman, a consummate professional, an outstanding and accomplished photographer. I have never known him to be otherwise. Any attempt to discredit or malign Ray can only stem from a deep-seated envy and jealousy and such emanates from a person possessing a destructive personality. Ray's reputation as an individual and respected and respectful professional photographer should never be questioned. He epitomizes the best as a person and in his work ethic. Innuendo and careless remarks that besmirch an individual's reputation are unacceptable, unprofessional, and call out for an apology. The best recourse with a perpetrator of this ilk is simply to ignore him/her and continue on being the good person that you are and doing the good work that you do.
Dr. Hank Maher, Photographer
Studio 44-1 Images
I have moved a majority of my mature images to a new MM page MM member 743738
Photographer with a studio in Niagara Falls NY working in mainly model portfolio's and glamour type images for over thirty years. Although I will still do film on request the majority of my work is digital. Have been doing a lot of photo sets lately for models looking for sets of images to post on various web sites like Suicide Girls.
Note: Most images are made in the camera and not in Photoshop or some other program. I only do minor edits to enhance the look and make the model look the best that she can so clients know exactly what the model looks like. I have started adding a few photoshop edits to my images with the help of a very talented Brian Neumann MM# 711894.
Just a note on how I work:
If I am doing a TFCD session or one that a model has contacted me to do it is the model that has complete control over the session. Once she tells me the look and limitations that she has I will make suggestions as far as poses, outfits, locations, lighting or backgrounds but the final choice of the Style (fashion, glamour, swimwear,lingerie, Maxim Style etc.) and the outfits that she wears is hers. She can review the images at the session and can delete any from the camera that she is not happy with. So how she looks in the final images is her choice and hers alone. The only exception to this is paid work but at these sessions everything is gone over prior to the model walking into the studio or on location. The model can bring anyone with her to any of the sessions that she wishes and that person will be in full view of the model when I take the images. In fact I suggest that a model take someone with her to every photo session that she does no matter who the photographer is. At all of my sessions the model receives a CD with all of the images taken. I do not use a models image without her permission. The only thing that I ask of a model is to reply to phone calls or e-mail in a prompt manner, be on time for sessions and if you must cancel a session to at least notify me as soon as possible. In other words be professional a little communication goes a long way.
In working with a minor a parent must approve of every outfit and be present at the photo session.
I can provide references.
Hope that helps with my work ethics.
