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.

February 11, 2012: My time for shooting this winter/spring has become very, very, limited.

***** PLEASE READ MY PROFILE BEFORE CONTACTING ME *****

WHAT I DO

I shoot only nude figurative and erotic work.

I prefer to shoot using natural light, though I occasionally shoot in studio.

I shoot images that are artistic, creative, and hang on gallery walls.

I shoot images that are erotic and sensual, not pornographic.

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. Ever.

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. Images people may label or categorize as 'implied' occasionally happen by coincidence in my sessions and if the composition works, it works. However, I don't specifically plan to create them.

I don't work with those models for whom 'implied nude' means the same as nude. If we agree to work together, the expectation is that you will be modeling while you are nude.

I don't shoot male models unless I'm hired or commissioned to do so. Nothing personal gentlemen; there's simply not a market for the work in my area.

I don't shoot any commercial genres which require models; not anymore. Been there, done that, and had more than enough of it.

I don't use PhotoShop or any other image editing software more than I absolutely must to to get the image I want. I'm old-school and prefer that my work stays simple, beautiful, and not overly manipulated. I'm a photographer, not a graphic artist.

I don't spend lots of time on Model Mayhem, thus I don't participate in the forums, 'trade' comments, or do lists. I may comment on images from time to time, and when I do, it's because something about that image speaks to me. If you want to comment on an image of mine, feel free, but please understand it isn't expected.

I don't do drama. At all.

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. Nonetheless, anonymity can be arranged in some instances; please read on.

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 tatts & 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 talk about shooting together.

Now, having said that - please understand that from time to time, 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.

You'll see that most of the images in my Model Mayhem portfolio don't give credit to the model. The reason is simple: the majority of models with whom I work are not members of Model Mayhem. I'm certainly hopeful to add more Mayhem models to my work. I only credit models who wish to be credited. (It's an unfortunate fact that many fantastic models must hide the fact they do nude work, due in large part to GWC - 'Guy With Camera' - issues.) If we shoot together and you wish to be credited in my portfolio, say so and I will do so. If you don't want to be credited for nude work, then you won't be.

SO...WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

My overwhelming preference is to pay models; however, economic reality has determined time and again that pay isn't always possible. One day it is; the next, it isn't. When pay isn't available, full and complete TFP is.

Models which are working for pay will be paid a fair and reasonable rate, hourly or daily, based on their individual experience as a nude model...and more experience = higher pay. If you have your own rate, I'm more than happy to consider it, provided it is fair and reasonable and in line with claimed experience. And it goes without saying that I'll ask to see your portfolio of nude work - and that your portfolio should support your claims of experience.

Models that are shooting in exchange for trade will receive all of the images from the session with shared copyrights. Yes, you read it correctly: all of the images, with shared copyrights. They're yours to do with what you will. Yes, I'm serious.

Models which are paid will always receive a selection of edited final images.

Lunch or dinner or both, whatever the day determines. Please understand that I'm not going to fly you from there to here, but I'll 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 work with me.

HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA REGARDING PAY, PAY RATES, AND TRADE...

...I call it 'my tough love spiel about model pay and model pay rates.'

I'm sick and tired of the plain BS I see here regarding model's pay, especially the discussions as to whether or not models are entitled to be paid. It's one of the reasons I avoid the forums here. Models are entitled to be paid for the work they do - period. We all are. Models that work with me are paid by me, with money, trade, or a combination of the two. Models don't pay me. I'm paid when people buy my work through art galleries and exhibitions.

Model Mayhem and sites like it are rife with models, both experienced and inexperienced, quoting absurd pay rates for nude work with equally absurd hourly minimums. Some even say these are "industry-standard rates." I'll confess right now that I have no idea what 'industry standard' rates are; however, I know quite well what fair and reasonable rates are. I also know what experience looks like. Hourly minimums? Really? C'mon...this is art and passion. The work takes the time it takes. (In the interest of full disclosure, a typical session for me is around four hours.)

AND NOW, A LITTLE TRADE TIRADE...

I'm equally miffed when models and photographers refer to 'Trade' as 'Free.' It ain't. And it ain't for either party. For clarification, here's the appropriate Oxford-American Dictionary definition of Free when used as an adjective:

adj. 3. not subject to obligation or engagement; 5. given freely without expectation of payment, costing nothing to the recipient of goods or services

When I shoot for trade, I assure you everyone involved invests in the shoot. They do so with their time, their skills, and with literal, physical, work. The efforts made by both model and photographer which produce successful, beautiful images begin well before the first frame is shot and continue long after the session is done, and that's the case regardless of whom is paid and how. With trade, the model and photographer receive whatever is agreed to; images for use in their respective portfolios, a new car, a pony, or next week's winning lotto numbers - but nothing is given freely.

Trade arrangements are tricky in that both the model and photographer must determine the worth of trade as compensation. When trade works for both, and both agree accordingly, then trade is fair compensation. If it doesn't, then it isn't.

For many models, modeling for trade holds little or no value, regardless of the genre. Shooting nude for trade, swimwear for trade, or fashion for trade, it's all the same. That's perfectly fine; it's your decision to make and is no different than choosing to accept or not accept checks for payment. But basing the decision to shoot for trade or not to shoot for trade solely on the presumption that trade is the same as free is misinformed at best.

Still think trade is just another word for 'free?' Alrighty then, consider this: if the model and the photographer are giving of their skills and talents with an expectation of each receiving something of value in return, where is the 'free?' 'Free' can't exist if there is an expectation of any value for either party from the other.

Saddest of all is the fact there's lots of potentially beautiful, wonderful work not being created. Basing the decision to not shoot for trade on ill conceived notions is creating many missed opportunities and in the wider view, hurting both models and photographers.

THE BOTTOM LINE...

It's not my intent to come across as an ass. I've been doing this work a very, very, long time; longer in fact than many MM members have been alive. So please, keep your rates based in reality. Remember that for my work, hourly minimums are irrelevant. And trade is fair compensation when both parties agree that it is. Overall, you'll do more work of better quality and that equates to a more successful modeling career. It's all about that 'catch more flies with honey than vinegar' thing your mother always talked about.

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

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

Models will be 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.

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 your file and are never shown. They are used strictly for my own reference of record and to 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.

Open communication and punctuality is next to Godess-ness and all that is good and holy. 'Nuff said.

Models that request anonymity will have it, guaranteed. I'm very, very good at keeping secrets. No one will know it's you in an image we create unless you tell them. That being said, my preference is to work with models which agree to be identifiable in the work we do. For some projects, faces will be necessary.

Models that ask for references will receive them promptly.

Models may bring an escort if they genuinely and honestly believe having that person there will allow them to relax and do the work mo' better. I only ask you 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 I don't change them too often. To see my most recent work, please follow the link at the top of the page to my blog.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my profile and to look at 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
01/15/2012