Finding a Photographer (& avoiding Cads)

[crystalface]

It looks like a film from the 20's.


It is good.

 

[imoldfashioned]

I was investigating this same topic last weekend. I really liked this photographer.

http://www.vivaspinups.com/

Don't be put off by the entrance graphics. It made me feel better (perhaps irrationally) that she is a woman, and she can also do hair and makeup I believe. Also, she is on the East Coast. Hope this helps.

 

[BettyValentine]

BettyValentine--

De Blase is right in my backyard...but I looked at his site and wayyyy beyond my comfort level. Have you ever worked with him --- might he be accomodating to something very tame by comparison?

I've never worked with him; I wanted to, but Rochester is a little far from my backyard. When we were discussing shooting I said that I'd do bikinis but no nudes, lingerie, or implied nudes, and that I always bring an escort, and he seemed fine with that, and we were discussing options that all involved vintage dresses, so I think he's pretty flexible.

Do you have examples of vintage photos that are more in your style? I think that will help most photographers get an idea of what you want to do.

I think VIva Van Story is great. She's got a lot of hotsie girls on her site, because those are the types of prints that sell well. If you're commissioning her to do a session with you, she'll do something more your style because it's for you and not for selling pritns on her site. I'm really comfortable working with her. If you show her the type of things you want to do, she's definitely accomodating. She does hair, and her makeup artist is absolutely amazing. (Seriously. I'm frequently sitting around thinking of how I can convince Deigh to come out to Chicago for my wedding.) I really can't recommend her enough. I'm really very comfortable shooting with her, and she always works within the model's comfort level.

Also she frequently runs large group shoots at a discount. She schedules one day, sets up a background and a theme (like Valentine's day, Halloween, Xmas, Summer bathing suits, etc), and about 10 girls come for a shoot. Each girl gets her hair and makeup done, picks out a costume and props from Viva's closet, and gets some pictures. It is fewer looks so it is less expensive, but those days are supposed to be a riot. Like a big slumber party with 13 girls and no boys. I'm doing the Xmas one in a few weeks.

BV

 

[Honey Doll]

What fun!

Also she frequently runs large group shoots at a discount. She schedules one day, sets up a background and a theme (like Valentine's day, Halloween, Xmas, Summer bathing suits, etc), and about 10 girls come for a shoot. Each girl gets her hair and makeup done, picks out a costume and props from Viva's closet, and gets some pictures. It is fewer looks so it is less expensive, but those days are supposed to be a riot. Like a big slumber party with 13 girls and no boys. I'm doing the Xmas one in a few weeks.

BV

That sounds like a blast! Does she do this just in NJ, or does she travel?

Honey Doll

 

[BettyValentine]

That sounds like a blast! Does she do this just in NJ, or does she travel?

I believe the group shoots are just done out of her place in NJ, about 40-45 min by train from manhattan, but I think she travels pretty regularly to LA, Vegas, and Texas.

BV