April 30, 2016

Art Model Liv Sage interviewed by Michael Vasquez


Liv Sage is a wonderfully talented young artist, model who has seen a phenomenal reception in the photo world in the past year and a half. Freckled and red haired, belie the old soul that resides in this diminutive intelligent woman. Working in close relationship with several photographers she has build a very impressive body of work as well as an even closer bond of friendship.

“Sometimes I wish there were more things I cared about, and that I cared a bit less about the things I do care about. Being spread like thin elastic over many things, and having them push and pull against me would be preferable to pooling in one place like water to be tossed about by that one thing I care about.” Liv Sage 


Would you give us a quick peek at your background, education, how you looked at life as a child and as a young woman. 

 






"A quick peek would be...I am relatively well-educated. I consider my background to have been a good one, and I love my family but do not discuss them publicly. 

How I look at life has varied throughout different parts and pieces of it. This is dependent on age, location, and all sorts of circumstances, so it would be a bit difficult to say I have a specific outlook on life as this is so context dependent. I’m curious and observant. This is an easy thing to say, so I’ll define my outlook in those two words for now."





 




Studying your Tumblr site, I notice you have made inroads into the photography community in record time.  What do you feel is the draw besides your youth and that perfection of youth.


 




"Well, I don’t know whether ‘perfection’ is actually a characteristic I possess, in fact I’d claim exactly otherwise. But, in terms of making inroads, I try to exercise good judgment about what sort of work I do, who I work with - especially on a consistent basis - and how I conduct myself professionally. 

But, I think it’s necessary to note that I’m not as young as I appear. I’m closer to 30 than to 20 at this point, which I don’t consider a bad thing. Arguably, this has also been an asset to me in choosing good work and exercising good judgment. This isn’t to say that it isn’t possible to do so at a young age, but I would say, for myself, my judgment and sense of self worth has become better as I’ve gotten older. 









I’ve been told that the draw to working with me is my taste - i.e. who I’ve chosen to work with, what type of work I prioritize, and my artistic tastes.

And then, of course, there are people who hire me for my hair color alone. Which is completely fine, and I understand why that would be a draw as well.




 



 I am duty bound to ask about your body hair; as a young man I had a girlfriend who also decided to forgo the razor and the effects were fascinating to watch.  How do people react to you? 








You are duty bound to ask? Who is the one holding you accountable for the asking? I’ll end my sarcasm there and just say, people are almost always fascinated by it, not always in an appreciative way, but fascinated nonetheless. It doesn’t bother me either way and a criticism of something like that won’t sway my opinion on it one way or the other.





So, I mostly tend to ignore the reactions altogether unless there’s a particularly funny reaction. I think my favorites are the ones who identify me by my pubic hair alone, as if it’s more than a physical attribute but rather an indication of who I am as a person. This is a funny concept to me, and I don’t know how they came up with such an odd idea.


One can't help but notice you get a lot of comments about pubic hair, but not many after you asked for all comments to be made in the form of a limerick.  What do you think that says about the commenter?    

Actually, I did still get many comments after I demanded limericks. But, I demanded limericks in an attempt to get the comments to stop. So, when I started to get limericks, because apparently no one took the hint, I simply ignored them. Not as interesting as you likely thought. Though, some of the limericks were sort of clever - which was also a demand. You had to write a good limerick. Though, no one wrote one clever enough for me to post, so I did not. In terms of what any of this says about a commenter...Well, I wouldn’t want to hazard a real guess. Perhaps they are curious? They realized I have a box on my blog that says they can ask me anything and so they did? I don’t really think it says much of anything about the commenter other than they saw they could ask whatever they’d like and so they did.








Now, why they would ask about pubic hair over all else? I’m assuming because it’s one of the first things they noticed. If I had very large breasts, I think they’d ask about that. If I had long black hair, I think they’d ask about that. If my body was completely covered in freckles, I think I’d get questions about that. I don’t think there’s some over-arching characteristic of the people who ask these questions though.







Also you are very generous in having your pubis photograph, in my own work I pay special attention to the ladies who give me great latitude to work with all parts of their body.   How much would you say that has open doors for you and how much trust does it take you? 








Well, I’m really not. After all, the pubis is a bone that forms the pelvis inside the body. So, I’ve never had that photographed with anything other than an x-ray machine.  But, I know what you mean - I’m very generous in having my pubic region photographed. Much of this is because I have pubic hair. I will allow this area to be photographed in certain ways. 

Though, I do still have restrictions, which is worth noting. I don’t allow spread shots. If my inner labia, clitoris, or vagina accidentally show in a photo, I do not want the photo shown. I will never willingly show those areas in a photo. 





So, I will allow my pubic hair to be photographed and to be very visible. But, I still have my restrictions. It is not a free for all in the least. In terms of how much trust it takes, I’m very comfortable with my body. I think that has opened more doors for me than the mere fact that I’ll allow my pubic hair to be in a photo. If I allowed it in the photo but looked uncomfortable, that would not be a good photograph. If I did not allow it but looked comfortable, that would be a better photograph than the former. Of course, if you are a bit more free with your body and restrictions while also being comfortable, it’s a lot easier to get a good photo.


  As your modeling career has unfolded you are working with some very good photographers.  One can't help but notice your skill has improved as well as the emotion that comes out in the darker work.







I am working with very good photographers, yes. And I would consider some of these photographers to be friends. I tend to do my best work with the people I am actually friends with, and expressing emotion, from that standpoint, becomes quite a bit easier. And, over time, it would be expected that skill has improved. I try to always eat well, get enough physical activity, understand my own body, etc. And, I’ve become more comfortable over time - with my body and with the nature of this line of work - so that has helped immensely.

And how much is it affecting your art?  How do you feel the photography has helped you to be a better artist.  I see a growth in your modeling surely you've noticed a growth in your art as well.  









Jose deLosreyes I’ve become a better artist in terms of collaboration on artistic projects. Most of my previous artistic experience was done alone, so collaboration is new to me. I’ve begun to prefer this - or to at least appreciate feedback more than I did before. In terms of whether it has helped me to be a better artist, I don’t know. I’d let someone else be the judge of that. Though, I think modeling for artists has helped me to become a bit more inventive more quickly, and I’m less inhibited about expressing emotion than I used to be. I’d generally consider both of those to be beneficial in terms of my own art." Randall Hobbert Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years photographically? Diana Schenkel I might have brief imaginings of what I might be or do that far ahead, but I try not to let them be more than wondering about future moments. It’s not something worth dwelling on for me as I couldn’t possibly predict anything with any certainty. I suppose that I’ll try to make it interesting. That’s as much as I can say." mlr-ps

My books

A film directed by Ander Zennaus, French writer and my best friend :


April 19, 2016

Michael Siu's interview








" Allowing a model to show their true soul to me is the greatest gift I can ask for. It cannot be forced or manipulated. I can just hope to capture it."Michael Siu








Art Model Iona Lynn




Michael Siu at his official site, deviantART, his blog "Definitions of Women", NolaPhotoStudio.





"In Pursuit of Concentric Lines"
Art Models Nettie and Wednesday

" A pair of models that have never met, blended together, both working towards a common goal of creating artistic and beautiful work."









"The Mission"
Art Model Sarah Ellis









Dear Michael, how did your passion for photography begin ? Because it's your passion, isn't it ?

The earliest time that I remember taking a photograph was a Polaroid camera that my parents bought my older brother. We spent all day and a whole pack of black and white film trying to make it look like my younger brother Doug was a miniature person standing on a baseball bat that my older brother Chuck was holding. I still remember holding each Polaroid under my shirt trying to warm it so it would develop faster.






"Window Perspective"
Art Model Bella Blue




I am very passionate about photography and nearly obsessive, I am constantly watching, observing, visualizing, framing, researching, composing and conceptualizing.





I knew it ! You made an art photography class, was it useful to improve your skill and find your style ?

The most significant thing I received from the class was recognition that I had something that very few in the class had, something different.

The class also gave me the basic skills that I use every day in taking images like DOF, Zones, and the rule of thirds. My style, I think, is still a work in progress and it evolves constantly. Sometimes I wish it were more grounded and focused.






"Vulnerable"
Art Model Sarah Ellis








"Worship"





You told me you're "nearly" obsessive. Sincerely, how long could you be far from your camera ? Do you think you could make something else ?

Not long at all, a day or so. Just posing that question nearly gave me an anxiety attack, the thought of where my camera is at this moment and is it safe ? flashed through my head. I suppose in a pinch I would use my camera phone if that were all I had.


My life would be a lesser existence without photography.


Your passion is contagious... Michael, your range of style is very large. Between outdoors shootings, indoors, color and Bw, what do you prefer ?

My favorite would be natural light, outdoor, black and white images.







"St. Louis Number One"
Art Model Sarah

" Wonderful serendipity happens when working with Sarah."











"Roxie and the Radio"
Inspired by Gil Elvgren





There is another genre you like very much : pinup and vintage art. Some words about ?

Pinup is a team effort. Without Hair, Makeup, Wardrobe and a great model it just doesn’t happen. My success in pinup goes to the artists and designers that put it all together. I often feel like I move a few lights around and just press the button. My team deserves most of the credit.


I'm sure they'll appreciate. Except nude art, is there another genre you enjoy ? I know you're also a documentary filmmaker ?

I have made a couple of documentary films. It is a lot of work and time.






"Bella Hurrell Hollywood"
Art Model Bella Blue












Lately I am interviewing my models at the end of my nude sessions. The insights, character, education, life experiences and wonderful personalities of these beautiful young ladies are fascinating. I learn more about them in the 10 minutes of the interview than in a whole day of shooting.


Fascinating ladies, you're perfectly right ! And I'll add, true artists. Your pictures prove a powerful creativity. Do you plan every details of your shootings ? Where is your part of improvisation ?

I am a planner.







"Snake Charmer"
Art Model SarahLiz

" Again serendipity steps in and the planets align. In working with this ribbon, we captured this on our fourth frame. I nearly put it away but we kept working with it and more wonderful things happened."





Typically I have shooting schedule with concepts, pre-scouted locations, wardrobe, makeup and an emotion or feeling for each shot. Especially with guerrilla/public nudes it is important that everyone knows what is next and where to meet if something goes awry.

Planning gives me the opportunity to get that amazing shot. Not planning means diving aimlessly to find a location or standing around pulling my hair out while I have no concept or idea to give to my model. Models look to you for direction, if you don’t have clear concepts or ideas they can feel it, hear it in your voice or see it in your demeanor. This will affect their performance too. You will end up with mediocre work.


Improvisation comes when the model is in the location and things are or are not working.






"Resurrection"
Art Model Keira Grant







"Bed of Springs"
Art Model Keira Grant




I always welcome feedback or suggestions from the model. Sometimes a great concept shoots poorly and does not materialize as I envisioned. Improvisation happens if I get an idea or vision when I see the model in the setting and we just go for it changing the plan and concept completely.





"Ribbon Curved"
Art Model SarahLiz






"Heather Swim 1"





Some words about your models ? How do you direct them ?

I am very fortunate to work with some amazing models.


The best models you let them do their work, let them reveal themselves and be prepared to capture that moment.

Models always surprise me with a pose or a look that I never would have thought of. I find that newer models will look best when they are not posing so it is important to always be ready to shoot when they may not expect it. When I ask for a specific pose it rarely looks good, so I tend to just ask for something different. If they are struggling I give them an emotion to work with or basic direction. I often ask them to go back to a look or pose they gave me to see if we can refine it.

Allowing a model to show their true soul to me is the greatest gift I can ask for, it cannot be forced or manipulated ; I can just hope to capture it.





"Limbs"

" Limbs : noun. One that is considered to be an extension, member, or representative of a larger body or group."







"Perch"




How do you feel at the end of a shooting ?

Spent, Exhausted, and Elated.














"The Wall"
Art Model Sabrina Fox








I am full of ideas and visions at the beginning of the day, at the end of the day those concepts are realized and my creative palette is literally, empty.



In the camera I know that there are amazing shots. Most of the time I can’t wait to get to work on them spending hours on them until I cannot see to edit anymore.


I love so much your commitment ! It's good to hear... So strong ! Now, I know it's a difficult question, maybe a stupid one, but what is your own favourite photo ? Could you choose one ?

Difficult, but I think that "Sarah Ellis and Ozzy in Pirates Alley" has to be one of my favorites. It was one of the images that I have taken that I had a complete vision of and it turned out perfectly.








"Sarah and Ozzy in the Pirates Alley"
Art Model Sarah Ellis and "Ozzy"










"Simply Nawlins"
Art Model Liz Ashley





Have you some challenges you're dreaming about in a near future ?

Yes, I want to expand my public nudes to other famous cites, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, London and Tokyo are just a few places I would love to shoot in.






"Escape III"
Art Model Brett Ashley










"Bella Pears III"
Art Model Bella Blue





Wow ! A tough job !... Keep us informed. By the way, what is your best way to promote your work ?

Networking through websites and Blogs such as this one. My websites are Nolaphoto and Definitions of Women. Here is where my creative side needs some business help.

I see the print magazines where many of the great photographers you interview have been published. I just don’t know how to make that contact or approach the magazine. Perhaps you can make a suggestion here.







"The Citadel"
Art Model Sabrina Fox





My suggestions ?... It's such a long debate Michael. And it's the first time I have to answer to one of my interviews. My first advice is that you keep your faith alive. You're an artist, never forget that ! Don't underestimate the quality of your work and its price ! What brings me to a serious question : where can we purchase your prints ?

I sell them locally at a gallery in Metairie, Galerie Severn. Anyone who is not local and is interested can also contact me through my website contact link.








"Sabrinascape II"
Art Model Sabrina Fox





Any message you’ld like to leave to our readers ?

A question that I ask my models in their interview is what they want their legacy to be when they are gone. It always is interesting to hear how they interpret and answer this. So here is my response :


Somewhere in the future I want my work to be seen and I want the viewer to be entertained, to understand the underlying irony, to see the juxtaposition and hopefully they will see my vision in each image that I take.

The viewer will look back like I do at the photographers that came before me and become inspired.



How I understand you ! We share the same dream, of course, the artist's dream. They'll see your work. Thanks a lot Michael. This interview gives us a strength you can't imagine.






"Boundary"




April 18, 2016

David Hilton Exhibition

New member of Univers d'Artistes


When I saw on Facebook his photographs, I told me yes ! then woaw ! So :
- David, I like your work ! What do you think about an exhibition in Univers d'Artistes ?
He answered by an enthusiastic yes and a lot of thank you that made me blush...

Of course David Hilton is a talented and prolific photographer as you will see here and in his site (click on archive), but what attracted me is the strength that emanates from his photographs, a creative energy helped by inspired art models.

I am very glad to welcome David Hilton whom I thank for his kindness and his trust.








 












Listen to him :

I have specialized in Fine-Art, Glamour and Erotic Photography and work out of my home base on the Gulf Coast of Florida and have exhibited in numerous galleries and have been published in several prestigious books internationally. Ultimately, my true fulfillment comes from working with people who have a true passion for creating a more spontaneous type of Art.

My work is about capturing the subject’s unique qualities “in the moment”, to portray the natural sensitivity, intelligence, and beauty that I find within them. 

Although I may  have a preliminary concept for a shoot, I also consider the creative input of models with whom I work and have had the pleasure of shooting with models that have come from a variety of locations throughout the country.