Finding Energy, Not Just a Model: The Art of Intentional Collaboration
My wife said something to me over the weekend that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. She said, “You’re very intentional with the people you work with on creative projects.”
She isn’t wrong, and ever since she said it, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, and mulling over the reasons behind it.
When I started learning photography back in Olympia WA, oh so many years ago, I was somewhat desperate to find people to photograph. I remember, asking a couple I knew, if they would be willing to pose for a few photos for me to practice on. They were polite about it, but they turned me down. I remember getting off the phone with them and being very embarrassed. But I kept going, and kept practicing. I might not have actual people to photograph, but I would buy flowers from the store, or I would take photos of a yoga class being held at the gym I owned. I took a lot of candid portraits of friends and family members. Basically I would take any and every opportunity to use my camera that I could.
That was over 10 years ago, and I’ve pressed the shutter button on my camera thousands of times now. Thankfully, I eventually found people to work with, but I have learned just how important it is that you match creative energy with a person, because when you don’t it makes creating something special all the harder.
This morning I saw a video, posted on Instagram by David Suh.
David, in my personal opinion, is one of the most talented, patient, persistent, and dedicated photographers I have seen in a very long time. I don’t know him personally, but he seems like a genuine and caring individual. That said, I have noticed, in some of his videos, he’ll work with someone who is uncomfortable being in front of the camera. David is a master at helping folks find a pose that works for them, but helping those folks find that pose, takes energy. And while that works for David, it doesn’t really work for me, and that’s ok.
I like being selective with who I work with, I like dedicating my energy to the creative project, I like focusing on the art. My way isn’t better than David’s, and David’s isn’t better than mine. They’re just different, and I think that is what matters more then anything, because we live in a world filled with copy cats and repeated viral trends. So those of us who chose to be different have the opportunity for real creativity and unique art.
That’s why, when Morgan asked me a few months ago, if I wanted to do a blood shoot with her, I was more then willing and incredibly excited to do so.
I bought some blood from Reynolds, and a new light from B&H and prepped, best I could, for a very cool photo shoot.
Believe it or not, finding photo inspo for a blood shoot is hard to find. Most of the images I was able to find were either rakishly armature, or overtly sexualized. Either way, I couldn’t really use anything I found for much inspiration. Thankfully, I consider myself a halfway decent artist, with an impressively active imagination. So I had a rough draft, in my minds eye, for what I wanted the photos to look like.
Morgan, for her part, is a wonderful friend and model, who takes direction well, is incredibly patient, and always willing to try something weird. We shot for two hours, and we got some incredible shots, that I will share later, but here are a few BTS shots that show a little of the chaos and blood shed that happened on Sunday.
Stay tuned, for more to come.
