Guerra Fine Art

Grab a cup of coffee. Long, but worth the read if you'd like to work with me.
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Some things about me:
• I'm the most honest, ethical and respectful photographer you will ever work with. (I just get tired of beating around the bush about this so I just come out and say it ;o)
• I'm all about creativity and working with models to create killer art/photography pieces that people love to look at. My projects are very innovative, different, but very mainstream. I spend a lot of time promoting you after the shoot.
• I've been shooting models for over 15 years now but just recently (in the last 2 years) started showing my photography to others. I used to mainly shoot for art reference only but I found myself wanting more from a photography perspective. In a lot of ways it's given me a reputation as being a photographer/artist when I'm truly the other way around - artist/photographer.
• I'm a very strong business person and enjoy taking new ideas and turning them into strong business ventures. On any given day you might find me starting a new company that involves marketing pinups.
• I own a large artist licensing company called Creative Image Licensing and Management (CILM) where I manage and monitor the digital image usage of some of the greatest artists in the world. You can Google "CILM" to see some of the artists my company represents.
• I also own a new innovative drumstick (drummers) company called Pinup Sticks that manufactures drumsticks with pinup girls on them. (This is a big reason I'm here at Model Mayhem.)

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About Modeling for me:
• I shoot for two reasons: reference (studio - usually 2 to 3 hours) for artwork and to get my creative ideas across through photography using you as my subject (could be all day and in different locations).
• You have to be willing to model completely nude. (more on this in the next section)
• Modeling for me starts a friendship and business relationship. You become part of my business and when you leave you are someone I've worked with. Other opportunities will come up through working with me and if you have fun working with me I'm going to want to get you involved with other things I'm doing that could get you much more work with other artists, photographers and agencies.
• I will pay you if you are doing a job for me. If, out of the good graces of your heart, you just want to work with me for creativity's sake and your portfolio is more important than money I'm extra ecstatic to work with you. It's rare in this day and age but when it happens you go to a new level of respect from me. There is no better way to convey to me that you are interested in my work and working with me than to say "I don't want to be paid. I just want to be a part of what you do."
• I typically like to book at least a month in advance. My schedule is extremely hectic and last second shoots don't work out as well as well-planned shoots.
• Experience helps immensely but it is not a requirement. The only requirement is that you have fun working with me. ;o) I'll do my best to make sure you do.
• I don't shoot anything more than Playboy style nudes. I enjoy being edgy in a beautiful way but when it crosses my own personal creativity line I veer toward a more productive direction. Crotch shots without substance will not go into my portfolio and it does absolutely zero for me.
• My shoots are very simple and don't require much preparation from you other than you being you. I'm not much into the big production of a shoot unless my concepts call for it. Most shoots are just me and you but there are times that my wife helps or a respectful friend.
• You are welcome to bring someone with you to a shoot with me as long as they are coming to just enjoy being there and not because you don't trust me.
• I don't shoot for TFP or TFCD. It's too much of a hassle. I'd rather just pay you.
• If you need help getting to the shoot just let me know. I'll make arrangements to get you there.

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If you are interested in me shooting you for YOUR portfolio just give me a call and we can negotiate rates based on what you're needing. Since you will be paying me I'm working for you and nudity is not a requirement at all. I'll shoot you the way you want me to and have a blast doing it. I promise to help you upgrade your portfolio big time and help you get more work.

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The following is a list of 10 things that will negate you from working with me (or 10 things I absolutely can't stand that some models do):

1. Overcharging - Anything over $100/hour (experienced models) in this economy and for the job I require of you is going overboard and deserves some scrutiny. Your shoot with me is about as lax as it gets and about as far from a big production as you can get. No need to get a big head unless your just not interested in working with me. I completely understand that this is your living but you'll get more time and portfolio shots out of me if you don't try to milk me. The more time I get to shoot with you the better. If you break the bank that all goes out the door.

2. Charging me more for how nude you get during the shoot - To me, this makes absolutely no sense and it tells me that you have absolutely no desire to work with me and you think I'm a perv. I can certainly understand that there are a lot of jerk photographers out there but I'm not one of them. I've shot thousands of boobs and butts in my life. I can assure you that if you charge me more to shoot yours you won't be working with me. Your nudity is not a treat for me that you should be charging me more for.

3. Insisting on negotiating shoot specifics through email only - As I stated above... you working with me is the start of a friendship and a business relationship. I will not work with you unless you have had at least one phone conversation with me to discuss the specifics of the shoot. I don't have time to type out details of shoots in emails. I prefer to get the conversation done quickly and nicely over the phone. If you're out of the country... don't worry about it. Toss me your number and I'll call you.

4. Putting money before creativity - If a negotiated rate is going to compromise the job you do for me then we don't need to work together.

5. You contacting me without hourly rate flexibility (also called "Buttering") - I've heard it a thousand times, "Anthony, your work is so amazing, I love the lighting in your shots and the creativity of your shots. It would be AMAZING to work with you!" Then I say "Great! Let's get together!" then you say, "AWESOME! I charge $100 an hour. Let's do it". Whoa! Wait a minute... didn't YOU contact me because you were interested in what I do? All of a sudden the importance is on what your getting paid and you don't give a crap about me. I completely understand that you should get paid for doing a job for me but if you contact me you should be willing to come down a bit so that we can fit more hours into my budget and put together more awesome portfolio pieces.

6. Not trusting me - I'm about as far away from being a perv as humanly possible. Putting me in the same category as some of the other jerk photographers you've worked with is not something you should do if you're interested in working with me.

7. Bringing someone to a shoot with me that influences your workability - Jealous or controlling husbands, friends or boyfriends need to be checked at the door. Working with me can be just as enjoyable for them as it is for you especially if they get involved. If you can't be natural in front of them - don't bring them. If you do I will conveniently end the shoot early and I will not pay you for the length of time we were scheduled to shoot.

8. Don't alter my model release.

9. Displaying nudity in your online portfolio(s) and then saying you don't model nude - That makes you dishonest and misleading. Not good. This one's my favorite of all... "I don't model nude unless it's for Playboy." That's about as artificial as it gets. You obviously consider modeling nude for one person is lowering your standards but if you get to display your body in front of thousands you're all good with it.

10. Full nudity is a must - I look at it this way.... When I paint I have access to all the tools I need to create that specific piece. Your nude body is a tool I need to get my ideas across in photography. If you don't model nude you are not giving me full access to all the tools I need to do what I need to do. It's like taking blue and red paint away from me and telling me to do the best I can without those colors. If nudity is an issue to you... you're not the model for me.

I promise the above is not to be a jerk... I just get tired of runaround that I don't have time for.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.