Finding a Photographer (& avoiding Cads)

[Honey Doll]

To any of the ladies who have done vintage photo work-- I'd like to get some pics done of myself. I don't begin to think of myself as a model, but would like to have a few pics done which reflect a vintage look, maybe even the conservative side of pin-up.

Any suggestions on finding a talented photographer with vintage sense of style? I did a bit of an internet search and what came up wasn't exactly appealling in terms of the characters represented.

Honey Doll

 

[Faye Valentine]

If you find modern pin-up models' webpages, they usually have links to their photographer. Some are pretty pricey and some are reasonable. Most of them use high quality digital cameras (10-13 megapixels) so they can edit any flaws. My dad has a Nikon professional digital camera (I think it's a 10 megapixel, or higher) and my sister works WONDERS on Adobe Photoshop so I, too, plan to take some myself or at leaast would like to. The only trouble is that most of my "vintage" clothes are just vintage inspired. I'd like to wear authentic ones just to make the pictures more authentic...[huh]

 

[crystalface]

You could probably go to a place that takes photos professionally (you know like they have for baby/family photos) One of my friend's Aunt and children took some Victorian-style photos-- not nessecarily Tin-types, or plates, but regular photographs that were aged in photoshop and such.

I'd love to have some photos taken myself!!! I think I shall do that as a christmas pressie to myself.

Oh and Faye Valentine--I'm the same way-- All my clothes aren't *real* vintage--just vintage inspired, but you can pass it off, because you are dressed for the era. I really wish I could afford real vintage

 

[crystalface]

Perhaps you could go to a family photo place, with your kids and dress them vintage too? [huh]

 

[Tedium]

I came across this site just today. Some great work and a lot of ideas for props and lighting:

FILM NOIR PORTRAITURE by Jim Ferreira

 

[crystalface]

Oooh! The studio is right near me! I wonder how much he charges for portraits? I'm totally emailing!!

 

[Kim_B]

A gal I know from MySpace is a model (and also does Burlesque) but she seems to work with very good photographers (speaking from a fellow photographer's standpoint). She has a few listed on her MySpace page and I'm sure if you sent her an email she'd be more than happy to recommend someone to you, if you liked that look. (There are a few images showing a little more than most people might be comfortable seeing, just fair warning. It's very tasteful, though, IMHO - http://www.myspace.com/gogoamy)

A couple other resources I know of:
Retrodolls - http://groups.myspace.com/retrodolls
The Retro Lounge - http://groups.myspace.com/theretrolounge

Finding a photographers who you trust and get along well with is so important! I know some wonderful portrait photographers who might be interested, if you want I can give you their names & contact information?

Good luck!

 

[~landgirl~]

I found this when looking for the same thing in the UK (and still looking unfortunately) but this looks so great and they can come to your home also:

http://www.disruptive.cc/pinup/

 

[RetroModelSari]

Honey Doll: I know about one photographer in New York...

http://lacyunlimited.com/

You can go and ask him - another way to dig out a photographer is that you sign up at either www.onemodelplace.com or www.modelmayhem.com. There you can search around who else is in your area.

Landgirl: Try to contact Kate from http://www.katespinups.com she works in the UK, so she might be able to give you some hints

 

[Honey Doll]

Thanks!

Exactly what I was looking for...unfortunately no one near me. Hmmmm, I have an auntie in Beverley Hills, maybe a trip?

I think I will email Disruptive (wow, they have some cool packages-- thanks Hen!) and see if they have any colleagues on the east coast.

Thanks again ladies!

Honey Doll

 

[~landgirl~]

No probs! Just be sure to share the amazing photos when they are done!!!

 

[maisie]

This is a link to a few pictures by a vintage photographer over here in the UK,
http://www.jitterbugball.com/gordon.htm
http://www.jitterbugball.com/

 

[~landgirl~]

Thanks for that Maisie! Have you ever used him?

 

[BettyValentine]

How far are you willing to go? Frank deBlase is located in Rochester, and he's very good, though he does go more for the sexy style. He's very well-known and respected. I'm sure you could talk to him about styles and options and let him know what sort of a look you want and are comfortable with.

Viva van Story is just outside Manhattan, and she's a dream and if you talk to her about what you want I'm sure she'll adjust to your style. Mark Anthony Lacy is really good, even though I'm still a little grumpy that he turned me down. (Not enough bosom.) It's a fair assessment, though, and he is really good and well thought of, so it would be good to talk to him.

Hmm. Vlad Voloshin does some stunning dark noir shots. That guy can really work the chiaroscuro. And Ted D'Ottavio is very accommodating and can do a straight-on vintage look as well as the campy stuff.

 

[Lady Day]

I came across this site just today. Some great work and a lot of ideas for props and lighting:

FILM NOIR PORTRAITURE by Jim Ferreira

Hes a regular on the lounge. Id PM a bartender, see if they can get you in touch with him.

LD

 

[BettyValentine]

Oooh! The studio is right near me! I wonder how much he charges for portraits? I'm totally emailing!!

I believe he's on the lounge somewhere.

If you're in the Bay Area you should also check out David Perry. He does a lot of hot rod girls, but he's also done some really unbelievable reproductions of vintage nudes from the 20s and 30s, so he really does get that straight vintage look. His film stuff is really expensive, but when I spoke with him he was offering some digital shoots that were very nicely priced. (I couldn't go because of graduation. Heck, I should have skipped it! He's really very good.)


BV

 

[Tourbillion]

My ex is a fashion photographer, although he doesn't really do vintage looks at all. However, through hanging out with him, I've met a few of the local photographers, models, stylists etc. He's not in NY right now, he just had a kid and is with him in the Palm Springs area. Here's his site anyway: http://www.pressbook.com/ianethanvloke-wurth

You can usually get the photographers from sites like onemodelplace to trade for prints, i.e. you model, they get rights to your photos and you get prints. Also, it is possible that you can just pay for film (many still use it) and processing. That way you don't end up paying $500 up for photos you might not even like.

Unfortunately not all the guys on those sites are really photographers, some are gwc's (guys with cameras) and their main objective is to talk to girls and hopefully get them to pose nude and ultimately get them in bed. I've even heard rape stories about some photographers, and one guy who asks models if he can remove his pants. Others just have no talent at all.

Anyone can sign up, as most of the models on those sites aren't really models anyway, they are just girls who are kind of pretty who would like to model.

If you have any questions, ask and I'll try to answer them or refer them to my ex.

 

[Honey Doll]

Unfortunately not all the guys on those sites are really photographers, some are gwc's (guys with cameras) and their main objective is to talk to girls and hopefully get them to pose nude and ultimately get them in bed. I've even heard rape stories about some photographers, and one guy who asks models if he can remove his pants. Others just have no talent at all.

Anyone can sign up, as most of the models on those sites aren't really models anyway, they are just girls who are kind of pretty who would like to model.

If you have any questions, ask and I'll try to answer them or refer them to my ex.

Just the sort of thing to avoid! Thanks for the insight!


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?

Honey Doll

 

[crystalface]

http://www.disruptive.cc/pinup/index4.htm

I stumbled upon this one while browsing through retro model websites.
They come to you! $200 for the session, plus the price of prints and retouching (if need be)

 

[Tourbillion]

Ok, Ian wanted me to post a photo of his, to show you guys his work. He thinks this photo has a vintage look, what do you guys think?