I have been a freelance photographer for 30 years. During this time I have shot model portfolios, portraits, and professional sports in Dallas, TX. I moved to the Huntsville area a few years ago, and continue my work. Photography is my passion, and getting the best possible images is the number one goal. Shooting model portfolios is an art, and putting your subject at ease is most important to get the best images.

* Model release is required, copy available upon request. Must be signed prior to shoot and includes all images taken unless discussed prior to day of shoot.

* Underage models will only be scheduled after photo session has been discussed with parents in detail. Parent's must initiate contact for planning of photo shoot. The majority of the time I do decide not to shoot underage models as TF work.

* If an escort is required to remain on site, must be female. Significant males may bring you to the location, meet me, but would be expected to leave the premises after pre-shoot discussion.

I reserve the right to cancel a shoot before even starting if someone brings a male escort who expects to stay inside after the shoot begins. Escorts remaining at shoot must not be a parent as every one of us seek our parent's approval on at least a subconscious level. To get the best images, you must be able to focus 100% on the camera, not distracted by someone waiting on you. The best images are obtained when a model does her due diligence in vetting the photographer and has developed a comfort level and a self confidence in her decision as it shows in the final image.

* SHOW UP ON TIME!!! More models than not DO NOT take participating in planned shoots seriously. All photographers who provide free test shoots have trouble with models who do not show. Models will be excited about shoots, correspond for 2-3 months in some cases, planning the shoot in fine details. They will confirm their attendance the day before and just not show, not responding to texts or phone messages. I have models text that they are running an hour late and then do not show. I do understand that unexplained events can occur but do expect at least the respect enough of being notified.

If I have not been made aware of a delay and the model is more than 30 minutes late, I will interpret this as the model has canceled her shoot. If you show up more than an hour late, I reserve the right to not continue with the shoot. I take your shoot seriously and invest hours into planning for it. I also reserve the right to refuse to shoot if you have misrepresented yourself in your profile and portfolio. The later issue has yet to be a problem for me, but other photographers do report models who show up much heavier than profile or image portray or in some cases a totally different model.

* Please come to your shoot after getting proper rest the night before. It is extremely hard for the camera to hide the fact that you are tired. It doesn't make sense to be out partying, etc. until 3-4 am and expect to get great images.

* FREE TESTING (TF)* Shoots mean trade of the model's time and travel expenses. I do not cover ANY expenses. I do not pay models, as providing a free test shoot is offering a shoot at a significant discount from my regular fees. The only time models are paid is if one of my clients is paying me to do the shoot and has it in their budget to pay for the models and their expenses.

** Test shoot will involve the trade of model's time and travel expenses for [i]images described below

1.) A FREE test shoot (TF) shoot from which you will receive all raw, proof images in reduced size on DVDs. LOCATION: Huntsville, Alabama.

2.) I provide at least 2 FREE fully edited/finished images per set(outfit) which typically means 8-10 or more fully edited images per day of shoot. The vast majority of models receive more images than promised.

3.) These free images will be the best images from each set and will be based on your input. You will receive a copy of every image I edit and finish. I will ask you to choose your favorites but do reserve the right to choose other images which are similar to your choices but that will edit and finish better. For many models asking the to choose their favorites is almost an impossible task as there are too many great images to choose from.

* Only edited, finished images with my watermark may be printed or published online. If I finish a different image for my portfolio, you will also obtain a digital copy of this image or the series created.

Your Portfolio:

* Choose your avatar wisely as this is responsible for the viewer’s first impression. Use this fact to make the choice of the images used as your favorite may not always leave the best impression.

To place one of your images as your avatar and get rid of the (newb) box, go to 'my stuff" and than manage photos. You will find a link under your non-rated images to choose the image you want to represent your profile. If you want your full image as your avatar, hit “skip” cropping. If you only want a portion of the image as your avatar, then adjust the frame over your image to create the avatar image you want.

* Quality and diversity are better than quantity. It is better to have a few great images rather than a large number of poor images. Choose the best from the set or series, don't post all of them.

* Self taken images from cell phones and images with other people cropped off should be removed as soon as you have 4 good images.

* DO NOT expect to get paid jobs with a portfolio containing poor images. If you say you expect "paid only" jobs, yet don't have the images to support the request, you will not be taken seriously by serious photographers. In this case, models have had trouble with photographers wanting more than just eye candy.

Do some free test shoots (TF) to get better images or pay for great images from a great photographer.

* Beware if you contain nude or implied images in your portfolio expect to be asked to pose nude or implied over and over again no matter how emphatic you are in your profile about not doing nudes.

* When you state you will do nudes only when paid, beware of what message you may be giving. You will take your clothes off for money. What else do you do for money? Some photographers will expect more based on the fact they have paid you.

* Make sure your images of proper size and rotation. Don't upload images that are too small or vertical images that are horizontal. Doing so is a sign that you are not serious about your modeling. Take the time and do it right and you will get the attention of respectable photographers. Images should be at least 600 pixels in size!!!

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