B Ballard Photography

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
- Mark Twain

My name is Bill Ballard, and I’m a photographer of the nude female form.

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********* READ MY ENTIRE PROFILE BEFORE CONTACTING ME ********

***************** Blog Last Updated 4/14/2013 ****************

It seems like a lot to read through, I know. It really isn't. If you at least read the  "What I Do/Don't Do" sections, that should answer most of your questions. A perusal of my portfolio should make clear the type and style of images I shoot. If you have questions, ask. I'm a very approachable guy.

WHAT I DO

I shoot only nude figurative work.

I will pay you to model for my work, provided we agree to work together.

I prefer to shoot using natural light although I will shoot in studio on occasion.

I shoot images that are artistic, creative, and hang on gallery walls and walls belonging to collectors of fine art.

I show the vast majority of my work as black and white or toned images.

WHAT I DON'T DO

I don't work with anyone under the age of 18 for any purpose whatsoever.

I don't shoot 'implied nude' images. (By definition, 'implied nude' images do not exist in my body of work, as each and every model is actually nude.)

I don't work with models for whom 'implied nude' means the same as nude; if we work together, the expectation is that you will model while you are nude.

I don't do drama.

I don't shoot trade.

I don't shoot male models.

I don't spend every waking hour on Model Mayhem, thus I don't participate in the forums, 'trade' comments, or do lists.

I don't hire or use retouching services.

MODELS I LOOK FOR ARE...

...comfortable in their own skin, have a positive outlook on life, and are ready to do the work.

...fine with being identifiable in an image. Faces are important.

Real...human...women. It really doesn't matter whether you're tall and skinny, short and round, tall and round, or short and skinny. It doesn't matter what you shave or don't shave, whether your hair is long or short, straight or curly, or wavy like the ocean. It doesn't matter what color you are, or into which 'model mold' you fit; whether you have lots of tattoos & piercings, or none at all. If you're good with who you are and have a healthy outlook on life and living, you're already amazingly beautiful and we should work together.

(Of course, certain projects may require a preference for models with minimal or no tattoos, piercings, or other body modifications; specific height/build; specific hair color/length; etc. When applicable, such preferences will be identified in casting calls or models wanted notices.)

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

As said above, my preference is to pay models; I don't have the time to shoot trade.

Models will be paid a fair and reasonable rate, hourly or daily, based on their individual experience as a nude model...and more experience generally equals better pay. If you have your own rate for nude work, I'm more than happy to consider it, provided it is fair and reasonable and in line with your claimed experience.

(Let me be clear that it's not my intent to be an ass when it comes to paying models; that's hardly the case. I've been doing this work a very long time, in markets big and small. I know what fair and reasonable rates are.)

It goes without saying that your portfolio should support your claims of experience. Models which say they do nude work, yet have no nude work in their portfolio(s), will be asked to provide samples of said nude work. Implied nudes do not equate to nudes, and no, it's not an unreasonable request.

Models will always receive one or two edited images for portfolio or personal use. Prints or digital files, it's your choice.

Lunch or dinner or both, whatever the day determines. I'm not going to fly you from there to here, but I will cover fuel costs if you need to make a little road trip (from within the areas of Georgia, Northern Florida, and South Carolina) in order to shoot with me. If you're a traveling model, I'll be happy to contribute a little something to the cause.

AN IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH ME...

...is that I'm a fastidious record keeper. This means that:

Models are required to complete the appropriate paperwork for proof of age requirements, and provide government issued photo identification for my records.

Models will be required to sign a model release unless the session is a test of concept or similar. No model release, no shoot.

Models will be required to complete a stat sheet, (height, weight, etc.), and other forms for my own record keeping, and to provide reference images. Reference images are full figure nude images taken in front, rear, and side profiles. These stay in each  model's file and are never shown. They are used strictly for my own reference of record and to help me keep track of who's who in my images. They can be taken as a part of our session or you may provide them to me ahead of time. If we work together on a regular basis, they will be updated annually.

Open communication and punctuality is next to Godess-ness and all that is good and holy. Period.

Models that ask for references will receive them promptly.

AND THEN THERE'S THE ESCORT QUESTION...

...and it's super easy to answer: models may bring an escort. If you genuinely and honestly believe having that person with you on set will allow you to do the work more comfortably, fine. Just be a dear and let me know beforehand.

This Is The Part Where You...

...drop me a line about working together. If you have a question, please ask. I'll respond as promptly as I'm able. I'm all about communication.

The images in my portfolio are representative of the majority of work I do, so they're not changed often. To see my most recent work, please follow the link at the top of the page to my blog. And once there, you can follow my blog.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my profile and to view my work. I'm an easy going and simple man that loves to create art with the single most beautiful thing in the world: women. I welcome all to share in that process with me.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Bill Ballard
Savannah, GA
03/16/2013