Partnerships

Collaborators, partners, couples, mates, significant others, friends, lovers and spouses, at one time or another, yesterday, today and tomorrow, there are photographers & models, artists & Muse and for that matter husbands & wives working together in art nude photography.

Window To My World

And why should this be any different than say, basket weaving? When people meet, become close and are passionate about what they love to do and stay together, it seems like a win win situation to me.

Thinking Of You Forever

Someone once asked me, "do you mean to tell me you take these women out to the desert and all you do is photograph them?" Well, yeah, that's what we do, what we create, the reason we go out there, the question reeks of chauvinism though, don't you think? Perhaps nude photography is different in this one respect, people are more apt to presume.

Want You

I happened upon a comment by Andrew Chambers that led me to the book, "The Model Wife" by Arthur Ollman in which he outlines the lives of some of the more famous photographers who's Muse also happened to be their wife. I haven't read the book but the idea struck me a long time ago, it seemed completely logical that when two people shared the same aesthetic and desire, it would show in their work, I would bet.

In All The World

And sometimes, if you are really lucky, you may find someone who is the yin to your yang, shadow & light, someone that steps in front of your camera and into your life, be it photographer or model, whom you connect on a deeper level. We can read about those who found this relationship and I for one have always envied them, it would seem however, that I have been blessed very recently with a similar fate. And I am very happy to say that the images on the blog today are those I did with a very special woman in my life, very special.

Slave To The Clock

"I am not a painter, nor an artist. Therefore I can see straight, and that may be my undoing." ~Alfred Stieglitz

Making Plans

I wonder how many times we make future plans in one lifetime, have you made plans that never worked out? I have certainly made my share.

My Back To The Door

The marriage that ends in divorce is a failed plan, business plans fail by the thousands, lunch plans fall through, that plan to lose weight, quit smoking, visit some exotic place... plans for the future are subject to change, like dreams & wishes I suppose.

Fly Again

And then sometimes a plan comes together, in spite of our best efforts or perhaps because of them the stars align, the weather is favorable, the light cooperates and somehow the best case scenario plays itself out. After all what else can we do but try?

Turn My Back On Time

I worked with Felicity for 3 days at the end of July, the first time we met face to face and what turned out to be what I could call 'perfect timing', although I wouldn't have predicted it based on the last minute schedule changes and several other issues that seemed to crop up. Nevertheless we got together for a southern California desert road trip that did indeed live up to our expectations, and exceed them actually.

Reaction

So much so that we pretty much immediately began making more plans, delaying her return home she purchased plane tickets and I chose new locations. Those 60 some odd hours we spent together in July simply were not enough, we had more to say. much more.

Shadows Of Another Story

Felicity returned to California at the end of August for 18 days and another plan came together, we did 3 more road trips and pushed ourselves to take our work further. Building on our mutual respect, our love of photography and pursuing our own style we were determined to continue creating together.

Untitled

So now you might guess where this is leading, and although it isn't easy when Felicity and I reside 8,775 miles apart, or, to be more accurate on opposite sides of the planet! It's complicated, but in spite of the distance we are making plans, future plans, because we enjoy working together and this is how we feel about our work together. And I have a theory about plans, I believe if you want something bad enough, everything is possible.

Framing The Shot

"...photographs open doors into the past but they also allow a look into the future." ~Sally Mann

Felicity in Trona

When Felicity came to shoot in the desert with me one of the places we visited was the Trona Pinnacles.

Foreign Lands

Interesting geological formations in Searles Valley, just over the mountains to the west of Death Valley, and being out here toward the end of July it was a warm day.

More To Come

In 3 days of shooting we visited Lucerne Valley, Trona, Joshua Tree NP, Indio and the Salton Sea, after the trip and very much to my surprise, this was the place she liked best.

Wind In My Hair

We've even considered coming back her when she returns, and we probably would if this was any closer to our planned route on the next road trip.

Distant Flower

So maybe next year we will return, most likely to do an early morning sunrise out here.

How Could This Be Real

This is a tough environment, the rock looks similar to coral, you have to be quite careful where you step.

Welcome To The Dream

This last photo is more of a candid shot as Felicity was climbing up one of the large hills, a great day in a quite unusual place.

Untitled

"It seems so utterly naive that landscape - not that of the pictorial school - is not considered of "social significance" when it has a far more important bearing on the human race of a given locale than excrescences called cities." ~Edward Weston,

More Franck Leclercq

More Amazing manipulations of my work by phenomenal artist and friend, Franck Leclercq

Postcard (Felicity)

Postcard, from my shoot with Felicity, Southeast Asia to Mojave desert, and then straight into my heart.

Dark Angel (Conundra)

Dark Angel, and Conundra is amazing, a beautiful rare soul I truly cherish.

End Of Days (Mila)

End Of Days, Mila is one I could never shoot with enough, not ever.

Flying To Paradise (Pearl)

Flying To Paradise, Pearl is a most rare and precious gift, she believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself, my angel.

Purple Dream

Purple Dream, and Katz Pajamaz, amazing talent and pure artist, her work is incredible, her love is divine.

Mermaid Rain (Shelby Katz)

Mermaid Rain and the ever enchanting Shelby Katz, beautiful dreams are made from this.

"Adventure is not only measured in kilometers. Strong emotions are not only found in front of the Parthenon. Emotion, if you are worthy of it, will be felt before the smile of a child returning home with his school books, a tulip in a vase touched by a ray of sunlight, or the face of a beloved woman." ~Willie Ronis

Fate and Felicity

Almost a year ago I happened to find a very gifted self portrait artist living and working in Asia, I was immediately enchanted by her style and exceptional work. Not just that either because like me, she enjoyed experimenting with light & form, color & shadow

Take It Back

Among our discussions at one point I asked about working with another photographer, thinking of myself of course and truly was not surprised by her response when she said it wasn't very likely that we'd ever meet in person.

The Wind In My Hair

I guess the saying is true about being careful what you wish for because in a twist of fate and one amazing opportunity, we did in fact meet. And not only did we meet but we just did a 3 day desert road trip and photo shoot. I feel so incredibly blessed and very thankful that I can write this, it is an amazing feeling and a dream come true that I can post, Felicity in my deserts...

Two Steps

I practically overslept but I was able to scramble through a quick shower and get dressed by 4:15am, only 15 minutes late, Felicity was waiting for me, I had camera's loaded and most everything ready to go so by we were on the road shortly thereafter. Stopping at a Starbucks at 5 then a grocery store for flowers, we were in Lucerne just after the sun.

Portrait Of A Self Portrait Artist

First the flowers with the Holga, we worked on the dry lake bed for a a couple of hours, then up into the hills behind, after this we found a couple of abandoned buildings for another hour or two then headed toward Apple Valley and lunch. 

Living In Boxes

It was a bit of a whirlwind shoot because there were three main destinations in the three days, aside from Lucerne all were spaced fairly far apart, the Trona Pinnacles, Joshua Tree & Salton Sea were the main goals, we also visited the Indio canyons and the San Bernardino mountains.

Dream Shadows

These three days went by so fast, we were shooting and driving in the heat of the desert in July, savoring the sunrises and sunsets and getting what we could in between. The second day we decided to find a motel and do some work inside, this was a chance to get off the road for a bit, also an opportunity for Felicity to do some self portraits. We were without a real plan but made good use of the space, the light and especially the air conditioning.

So that's the story in a nutshell, we admired each others photographic style after finding each other on the Internet, we thought about what it might be like to meet and work together, and then with the opportunity ...and plane fare, we made a plan and did it. Across the ocean and into the desert, 3 days of adventure and wandering, we had fun, we did what we love to do and if this wasn't a wondrous gift enough, we met as distant acquaintances and parted close friends. Everything is possible.

Made Of Dreams

"Sometimes a photograph offers the photographer a gift he didn't expect, a marvelous detail - what the eye longing for meaning sees unconsciously, and includes. How wonderful it is that the decision to take a photograph is mysterious - giving us, like love, more than we bargained for." ~John Rosenthal

Logan & Shelby

On the weekend prior to their anniversary, I had the opportunity to again work with Logan & Shelby.

One Plus One

They are wonderful to work with! We basically planned the shoot in two parts, first an early morning trip into the hills and up to a mine in the mountains and then back home for some indoor images using available light.

Heart's Garden

So we headed north toward the mountains taking advantage of a couple of locations we found along the way, then spending some time investigating the area around the mine. 

Gold Mine

When the temperature climbed we headed toward home, but this abandoned trailer caught my eye as we were leaving Anza, so we had to use it. 

This World

One of the great things about the mountains, and the desert most times is the clean air, clean light and deep blue skies, and of course having two wonderful nude models along never hurts!

Rainbow Newsstand

We had so much fun wandering some back roads and exploring the mountains.

Wilderness

Back to base camp and switching gears for some more intimate portraits.

Good times, great people, Shelby is so totally natural in front of a camera.

Her Way

We have another shoot penciled in for September, I can't hardly wait!

Lovers Touch

"We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us." ~Ralph Hattersley

Beautiful Mila

While on her way up the coast on a road trip, my friend and Muse, Mila stopped by for a day of adventure and photos and it's always a special treat when I get to see her!

Rite Of Spring

We started the day in the hills just north of Apple Valley, the first shots we did were a re-shoot for my flower series, the images we did in December didn't turn out because the shutter had broken on my Holga. This time they did and so beautifully, I'll soon be putting them together for presentation. 

Study Of Form

Each time we've had the opportunity to shoot it's been wonderful and magical, and this was no exception.

Fresh Air

Other than redoing the flower shot we had no plan, no real concepts and in fact decided were to go only after we were on the road, I'm not sure if the adventure came as a result of the photos or the other way around, but either way a day with Mila is always good day indeed.

Hands Of Stone

Knowing the desert heat of the afternoon would make life out there uncomfortable at best, when the temp rose, the sunlight started to get harsh and the shadows shortened we headed for the mountains. Taking the truck trail that winds it's way up on the north side of the San Bernardino mountains, through some small valleys and into the forest. Then we took a short detour to a mountain creek I know of up there and perfect timing for some shade and cool water, eventually wrapping up the day at Big Bear lake. 

Mila is truly one of a kind heart & soul, I can't tell you how much I adore her and so love the work we do during the times we can get together, and I'm super excited because we are planning a short road trip for this fall through Nevada, Utah & New Mexico and some of the most unique places and terrain on the planet. 

A Step At A Time

"The ground we walk on, the plants and creatures, the clouds above constantly dissolving into new formations - each gift of nature possessing its own radiant energy, bound together by cosmic harmony." ~Ruth Bernhard

Stationary Objects

Trapped In A Memory