“
You know we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening. Back then I thought, 'Well, there'll be other days'. I didn't realize that that was the only day.”
Update 10/16/09: Booked/Filled through Dec 2009
Hello, my name is
Kent Gilley. I'm here to find people who want to have fun and create some exceptional portraits. It doesn't matter if you're a model, hairstylist, mua, or designer, if you want to work with me, let me know. I have plenty of credits and experience, I think my port addresses that on each image. It doesn't matter if you've been modelling ten years, or ten minutes, if you would like to work with me, please ask. I may, or I may not, because I am limiting the number of shoots that I do each month down to 2-4. But I will answer you either way.
Before you do
message me however, please keep reading below.
I like to collaborate before and during a shoot, so if you're a person who would want me to email the what, when, where, how, how much, and other info in the first email, then "have a good day", because that's not me. I like to get everyone's input.
I work a full time job as a programmer. My weekends are important to me, just as yours are to you. Chances are, I'm NOT going to ask to be paid, so it's probably going to be my way of having fun during the weekend, and doing what I enjoy doing.
I didn't just pick up a camera by the way, but there's "nothing" wrong with someone who did. Everyone has to do it a first time, from what I hear. I won an NMPA award in 2004 (National Motorsports Press Association), and had images on the covers of NASCAR Scene, Street and Smith, and the Sporting News. I photographed NASCAR from 2002-2008, MLB, NFL, and collegiate football and basketball. I've also taken about 300,000 local motocross photos. And all while working my full-time job.
Though sports came first, I like taking creative portraits the most. It's fun for me, and I treat it as such. I'm told I'm good at it.
I don't always have a set game plan. I sometimes start with a general concept, then 'we' make it up as we go. If that's not you, then "have a good day". For example, in the image below, Rachel drove from Austin, and we still weren't positive where we'd shoot when she arrived for makeup. It's usually not that fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants
, but I offer it as an extreme example.
I will always give my best to get you a creative portrait.
That being said, I will do two kinds of sessions: PAID and FRIENDS. You decide which you want to do up front, and stick to it. But, let's be clear, if you want professionalism, THEN PAY ME! What I'm trying to say, and doing a poor job at it probably is, I'm not doing the FRIENDS shoots for the money, though I could. I'm doing them because it's what I love to do, it's a way to be creative, and I get to do that with people truly excited to be there. I like to joke during a session, have fun, and get cool images. I think it's worked so far. But if that doesn't sound like you, then "have a good day".
I have lots of ideas, some stupid, some not:) Let's do one of them.
If you're a model, I suggest you pay an mua, and I know some that I would recommend.
Here's the rules for my FRIENDS (TFP) shoot.
1) The model, MUA, hairstylist, designer, etc will receive at least 3 hi-res retouched digital photos, as well as web versions of the same photos. I may, and most often do, provide more than three.
2) The model will receive a cd of all the photos (that I say meet my quality standard) taken, but at a reduced sized.
3) The model will sign my model release. There are no exceptions, or rewrites.
4) I must agree on the mua to be used, no exceptions.
5) I welcome escorts under most circumstances, but there are exceptions, so ask first. What are the exceptions? Oh, it could be that we're shooting at a location that requires a liability waiver, or a space-limited location where I want to limit the number of people tromping around to as few as neccessary. Or it could simply be that the person you intend to bring would be the last person on this earth that I'd ever want to spend two hours hanging with. If there is a trust issue here, I understand your point, but just ask any of the dozens that have worked with me already. That should resolve it.
If you have a problem with any of these five rules, the line behind you is long, so please just step aside and "have a good day". I know that sounds so jerk-ish, but I'm really the least arrogant photographer you'll probably meet on a photo session. It's just that I get one chance at this life, and I'm going to approach photography how I want. Or heck, I can stay at home and swim, either way works for me.
Okay, I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.
If you're really bored, or feeling down, you can always
follow me on Twitter, and see just how boring a person can really be.
Thanks to all those who wrote or called and said they missed seing me while I was away. It is much appreciated.
Now, I'll leave you with the words of the late George Carlin:
"Don't sweat petty things ... and don't pet sweaty things!"
