Fab Photographers I have worked with...

Craig Alexander

Image Aces

After so many years in the industry I can honestly say I have met some really cool people, and some not that cool…
Of all the people, one stands out in my mind for more than just a photographer but also a friend, Craig Alexander.

Craig is a Southern California photographer that has been shooting professionally for about 10 years. His passion for photography includes all aspects of it, form the setting up and organizing, to the post-production process, and finally the finished result.
He believes in natural and real beauty, finding the aspects of the subject that has been over-looked or neglected and making it flourish, immortalizing it forever with his camera.

Craig is a fun person, with an easy smile and a helping hand, he can be silly during a photo-shoot or event, but still maintain his professionalism. He is always ready for a good challenge and takes everything with a “can do” attitude.
Craig is a strong believer in “It takes a second to loose a reputation it took a life time to build”

Interview….
So here I go with my usual questions…

NM: Where are you originally from?
CA: I born and raised in Dayton Ohio. (He is a man of few words...)

NM: You got a blog…..what is it called I want to read it?
CA: No blog short bio on web site and MySpace.

NM: Tell me something special about you...aside form being Crazy and Black...I want to write about you in my blog....add some images...the whole deal...Make it fancy!
CA: I shoot more of a person’s personality. I hold myself back on shots looking for the edges that model don't see in them selves.

NM: How do you fell about Photoshop??
CA: I want a person to see beauty without a ton on editing.

NM: Do you think I am Crazy?
CA: …….. (There is a strange quiet…this is the moment he looks at me like I am Crazy!)

So here are a few of the places you can see Craig's Work.

http://www.myspace.com/calexander003

http://www.image-aces.com/

http://www.modelmayhem.com/CAlexander

Fab Photographers I have worked with...

Normad

Working with Normad…a.k.a. Beltran

Normad or Mr. B, as I like to call him is a very unique photographer, Easygoing, and Fun to be around.
When I asked him where you are originally from?

“Me: I'm from everywhere ... isn't that the curse/blessing from modern times?I was born in Venezuela, but I also spent 4.5 years in Spain as a kid and I've been here for like 7 years now ... so that's why my accent is so messed up :P”

He is also one of the smartest people I know….just be very, very careful to ask about what he studies…this is the condensed version…he did try to explain it to me once… (Keep in mind English is his second or third language), thankfully his lovely Wife Jennifer came to the rescue and got me out of the quicksand!!!



So here is what he said to me… (Condensed version…)

“I study a weird thing that is called computational science ...it's a mixture of math, computers and some other field, which in mycase happened to be biology. It’s interesting, but at a times it'sa pain too, which is why I started doing photography :D”



Style of Photography...
Unique, Crazy, Modest and completely off the wall, he is no typical photographer
He enjoys life as a series and storyboards- his images have a defined meaning, form the title to the colors he is expressing an idea, a feeling, a concept.
He spends lots of time creating, researching, and evisioning a project.
He is very Expressive with his hands- he would walk around rolling his index fingers in the air, like as if he is a musical conductor and the is a full orchestra in form of him!
He has an extensive knowledge of Asian Styles and Mythology…I am not the only one that lives life as a cartoon…I think he does too.


What he has to say about me….
“Hey readers don't miss your chance and make sure you work with Naiyana. Not only she's creative, fun and competent, but she's punctual and reliable. She'll work with you whether is an "on the fly" project or a "planned and discussed with storyboards" one. In either case you'll be happy with the results :)”



Where to contact him??? Try mm…I think he lives there
http://www.modelmayhem.com/brm

Fab Photographers I have worked with...

Tiger Lee

Some month ago I had the pleasure to work with Tiger Lee.
I can still remember the excitement I felt when Tiger agreed to work with me...

At the time Tiger was working on a 2009 Calendar...

http://www.hotpiratebabes.com/

I took 2 weeks, 3 phone-calls, something close to 12 messages on model-mayhem to coordinate the phooto-shoot, that led to one of the best images I have in my portfolio!!!

And my first Published Work!


So this is how it went...

I googled the address and still got lost...when I finally arrived at the home/studio I dragged myself and my kit out of the car and rang the bell. I arrived prior to the Model and her Escort/Friend (Tiger has not problems with escorts/friends/audience etc...) Upon arrival I was greeted by Tiger and he led me to a small bathroom/changing room attached to the garage, and I started setting up.
Tiger has set up a whole Universe inside a garage!!!

Rows of clothing, weapons, Rum bottles and other pirate related props, even a souvenir form "The Black Pearl" from the movie!!!


All the magic happens in front of a white back drop with strategically placed lights a small black fan, and Pirate Rap from Captain Dan.....
http://www.myspace.com/captaindan


The model arrived and we started to create the magic!!! Once Makeup and Wardrobe was done, the model stepped onto the white back drop and the music started! 2 hours later and 3 check late we had the images ready for review.
The greatest part was the finished image was ready for viewing approximately 72 hours later!

So about Tiger Lee:

Tiger is a very unique individual and an extremely savy entrepreneur.
He is a Master of Pirate Pinup Photography and fantasy images. Tiger combines digital photography with PhotoShop manipulation, to create unique and fantastic Masterpieces.
Tiger Lee is also a Winner of two Guru Awards from the PhotoShop World Conference Writes the regular column "A Siren's Call" for Pirates Magazine Taught Advance Image Manipulation at the Art Institute of California - San Diego Creator of the Hot Pirate Babe Calendar


Where can you find him:
http://www.mollyroger.com/
http://www.hotpiratebabes.com/
http://www.pirate-portraits.com/ http://www.tigerleephotos.com/
http://insearchofpiratewenches.blogspot.com/








AND HERE IT IS!!!!

You can purchase a copy on...

http://www.hotpiratebabes.com/calendar2009.html

Were can you find Tiger Lee now....

On his front yeard Teaching Sword Fights with a Cutlass, at diffrent Reinassance Fairs all over the Country or perhaps on his way to the Virgin Islands...

Fab Photographers I have worked with...

Stephanie Pierce

Stephanie Pierce is a Sweetheart!
I absolutely love her!

She is one of my favorite local San Diego photographers (not for long since she is moving), Her style is...beautiful, she has a good eye for colors and composition, and even when she calls herself an amature none would not be able to tell by her images.

Ok, so what do you get when working with Stephanie Pierce...

A female photographer on the petite side, with a great personality, sense of adventure and always ready to feed the models...and makeup artist...and anyone else around her.

She has stated that she does not work hungry!
She Believes in Makeup Artists and always tries to include them in all her photo shoots.

She is also very fast and detailed, she does not abuses Photoshop (her models are still natural and human looking), and she processes and deliver images fast, so there is not 2 months wait to see what your work looks like. She is also one of the few photographers that does not assumes to know what you want for your portfolio, she believes in choices.

I had the pleasure of working with her several time, and every single one was a blast, and the results were a guaranteed success!

She is Unconventional, Creative, Easy Going, and Very Very Modest...

So here goes...
I asked her the same questions I ask every one...

NM: Where are you from?
SP: She says: "Michigan"
NM: "What is special about you?"
SP:..."Nothing"
NM: "Nothing??? I am doing a bit of a "review" on the fab photographers in SD..and well you are one of them."
SP: Thanks :) I don't find myself that fab- but, hey, i never mind good references ;-) "

NM...in my heard: She is extremely cute in her view of the world...



Then There Was the usual question....Would you recommend me???

SP: "Yes, i have recommended you to some out-of-town photographers that were coming in town and were shooting some models. I'm not sure if they ever called- but aside from that I also haven't worked with a lot of photographers i could send over. - and you know if i feel you're a fit for a model I'm shooting, I call you :) "



Where to find Stephanie...

http://www.modelmayhem.com/SPierce