Protected by a small awning, this location allowed us to maintain some control over the harsh sun of mid-day… lit with reflectors and some off-camera flash. Model: Dani Izaguirre.

Dani, Hotel Deseo

Rather than setting up overhead silks to soften the direct light, I decided to let the blond colored stone blow out. Jan held a telescoping paint-pole with a portable flash unit for the hair highlight. Dani’s boyfriend Edson was kind enough to help carry equipment and hold the reflector.

The “off-season” provides time to develop new sets, search out unique props, and attend conventions & seminars. It is also a time for personal art projects. For each of the last ten years, we have closed the studio for an extended period and used at least part of the time to explore and photograph models in locations throughout the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Our travel choices (sometimes conventional, sometimes not) are primarily dictated by the weather and the time of year we can get away. We’d love to photograph couture models, surrounded by the architecture of Milan or Venice but the prospect of more cold weather and overcast skies is not terribly appealing.

Photography is an artistically rewarding profession but there are tradeoffs. Sadly, the Hollywood image of photographers as wealthy, “A-List” eccentrics is widely off the mark. There are icons who fit this fantasy; Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier, Sante D’Orazio… I know of others with less familiar names but trust me when I tell you that it is a very small, very elite club.

My business, travel, and artistic partner is my wife Jan. We select destinations on the basis of photographic opportunities and cultural interests but economics are definitely a factor. The truth is that you don’t have to be wealthy to travel. You must, however, resolve to “live like the locals.” Longer trips mean a smaller daily budget. Fortunately, the modest luxuries you forego are offset by the integrity of the cultural experience.

From a purely artistic perspective, we definitely prefer longer trips. The weight and quantity of equipment necessary for model photography makes you consider the cost/benefit of all that excess baggage. Cameras, lenses, laptop computers, reflectors and assorted lighting equipment, all must be meticulously catalogued and packed. Insurance and customs forms are essential and the paperwork can take a day or more. After you arrive, securing the necessary location shooting permits, recruiting models, makeup artists, and grip assistants takes time, lots of it. But when it all comes together, it’s worth every minute. This blog represents our modest attempt to begin a conversation about that very topic.

The image above was captured with an iPhone at a restaurant & gallery in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I have no idea if the totem accurately represents elements of the Mayan culture of the surrounding area but I really liked the up-lighting.

We’d like to thank two people in particular.  Crystal Gavin is our in-house graphic designer. Her skills in image retouching, compositing, and post production artwork are an indispensable part of every image we create. Matt Seifert is director of operations at PortalMedia, Inc. (our site design contractor) and he is responsible for the programmatic and technical implementation of our shared vision. When we ask, once again, if something is possible, he’s the person who figures out how to make it happen.

Frankly, we’re quite pleased with the result and we hope you find our new site informative & entertaining.