I do not log in to MM very often. Instead, you can find me on:

~ http://www.Facebook.com/LesleyArakPhoto ~ Add me!
~ http://www.lesleyarakphoto.tumblr.com/ ~ Follow me!
~ http://www.khavi.deviantart.com ~

I do try to check back here for messages periodically and answer them, but it can take a while. (I also do not get email notifications from this page, so I may not even see your message for a while...)

Let's see...I'm 29. I'm a girl, so I will not be trying to have sex with you if you come to shoot. I have always liked playing dress up.

FYI - When I get really busy, I let my MM messages pile up, or get lost in the shuffle, so if I don't write back right away, it's not you, it's me!
I will not conduct conversations through tags (too disorganized!)
If you really want to work with me, send me a message, and tell me what you have in mind. Be specific!

TFP/Testing = Extremely limited. *I do not pay models to shoot with me.*

~ More on MM on the Lesley Arak's Photos in other profiles list down at the bottom there...

I am the owner of FNS Studios(#433225), a photo studio in Springfield MA.

Available for

- Model portfolios
- Boudoir
- Weddings (yay, weddings!)
- Engagement Sessions
- Portraiture Sessions
- Maternity
- Senior pics
- Events
- Band & solo artist photos
- Actor's head shots
- Commercial projects & product photography
- etc


I shoot almost no TFP (outside of my monthly Group Shoots) - I'm a freelance photographer, so that's what pays my rent.
I'm very picky about who I shoot for free - If you write and ask me to do TFwhatever and you don't have a look that I want, I'll say no. I say no to most people.
Please don't take it personally. The time I have to shoot for myself is very limited.

If you want to book me and pay me, I'll shoot whatever you want. My rates are very reasonable. Plus, I'm fun!

I may test with exceptional models and if you agree to come to the studio and let me shoot whatever I want with you, with no restrictions.
Being able to do your own hair & makeup well is a *huge* plus.


I think that a photo shoot should be a relaxed and fun experience for everyone involved. Producing quality images is also important, of course, but if you're not having fun, it will show in the pictures.

I like bright, colorful, sexy, shiny, stripes, dots, monochromatic, themes, costumes, fairy tales, crazy makeup, natural skin tones, unnatural hair colors, interesting ideas, and models that want to have input on their shoots.
I shoot fashion, alt, boudoir, pin-ups, fetish, funky, sexy, silly, and whatever else strikes me.

PLEASE: No flakes, no divas, no drama queens, no sulking, no whining, no pouting.

~~~~~~~~~~

I work with and can recommend these wonderful hair/makeup artists:

Thairapist (David) #377963
Heather Burtch #520034
Karrie Welch #1024372
Amy Chretien #1422225
Liz W #1349418
SaliorGirl of Hot Rock & Dye #174818 - Moved
Jenny of Sassylooks #114361 - Moved

They are amazing and do beautiful work. However, they're also busy people, and I'm always looking to meet new stylists to work with!

~~~~~~~~~~

Currently looking for:

-Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists, Clothing Designers, etc who are interested in collaborating on projects together. (Your projects and mine)

-Models comfortable with full or partial nudity.
I have specific concept shots that include some nudity, ranging from "You're wearing a shirt but it's sheer and you can see your nipples through it" to "Fully naked, possibly with face obscured" to "Topless with pasties" plus just actually being nude. However, each shot has a concept, it's not just naked for the sake of naked. Think David LaChapelle, not Hugh Hefner. (Seriously, if I just wanted to look at boobs I'd take my top off and look down.)

-Pregnant model interested in some fun, unconventional, editorial-type expectant mommy pictures.

-Current or former ballet dancers who have their own toe-shoes (and can still get up on them), or who have feet on the smaller end of the scale, as the pairs I have are, I suspect, a size 6 or so. Your own tu-tu is a plus. I am bored with mine.

-Models with vibrantly colored, shaved, spiked, or otherwise interesting hair. Also white hair... I have a thing for the white hair...Not just very blond, though, actually white.

-Freckles. Freckles all over your face.

-Models with fetish-type vinyl/rubber clothing in their wardrobes. (I mean high-end pieces, here. This does not apply to anything you may have bought from HotTopic.)

-Models with corset piercings (I have a weird sort of weakness for them)

-Models who are willing and able to sit still and GET a (temporary) corset piercing for a concept shoot. This is a several-hour commitment.

-Redheads. Real ones. I'm talking genuine ginger kids - pale skin, crazy freckles and fire bush.

-Models with unique looks in general.

~~~~~~~~~~
I am toying with the idea of writing a little essay entitled "You Think Your Escort Is Not Annoying, But You Are Wrong."

Chaperones/escorts are fine (if you must) as long as they will sit quietly with a book, magazine, laptop or the like and amuse themselves.
Escorts that are a distraction to the model or to myself will be asked to leave.
Escorts that stand behind me and talk to the model while I'm working will be set on fire.

I do not take kindly to no call/no shows. I understand that life is unpredictable and that things happen, but really, guys, it's basic good manners to *call* if you're going to be late, or if you have to cancel.
(A hangover is not a real reason to cancel. That's just bad judgment.)

You can reach me on AIM, if you're so inclined: OPDKhavi
Please have something specific to say if you're going to IM me - Idle chat with strangers does not appeal to me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Photographers! For more information about the Group Shoots at FNS Studios, please feel free to contact me!

FNS Studios - Events and Studio Rental

FNS Studios hosts Group Shoot events every month. A group of experienced models are made available for photographers to shoot with one-on-one in a relaxed setting. Shoot in-studio, outdoors and throughout the studio complex located in the historic Indian Orchard Mills. Hair/Makeup Artist(s), costumes, props, etc.

If you don't have a studio of your own, you can also book your own models and rent studio time hourly for one-on-one shoots.

~~~~~~~~~~

-I'm not "collecting friends", I'm just networking.

PLEASE NOTE! Tags are great, and I love you for leaving them... but if you actually want to work with me, you have to send me a message saying so. I don't respond to tags, it gets too disorganized.

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHY


Commercial/Product

Cover/album art for Azwan
-Album: Violent Laughter
Cover/album art for TijuanaSweetheart (formerly VAGIANT)
-Albums: Trash Candy, Under The Gun
DayOfTheDead Skateboards
Sinn Metals jewelry
LeMor Designs jewelry
Thomas Hooker Brewery http://www.myspace.com/hookerbeer
Strong Coffey Personal Training http://www.strongcoffey.com
MrsBeauDangles Jewelry http://www.mrsbeaudangles.com
SidVintage Vintage Clothing http://www.sid-vintage.com
Across The Chest (party wear)
HalloweenAsylum http://www.HalloweenAsylum.com
EverybodyShirts.com
Official photographer of The Connetikittens

Event/Promotional

Resident photographer for Bon Appétit Burlesque (ongoing)
Resident photographer for Northampton's Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School (ongoing)
Salon Chiala's Cause/Effect Benefit Fashion Show 2007
SidVintage/Dynamite Records Anniversary Party Fashion Show 2007
BOUND Nightclub, Hartford, CT  2005
Dark Millennium Nightclub. Hartford CT 2005
Club Therapy, Providence RI 2005

PUBLICATIONS

Performer Magazine January '12
-Cover & inside images
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, October '09
-fall fashion feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, March '08 cover
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, September '07
-fall fashion feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, April '07
-cover + inside feature
Girls just wanna have fun mag, Springfield MA, March '07
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA, December '06
Hallmark Institute of Photography 2007 Program Guide
Talkers Magazine, Springfield MA, September 2006
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA, August 2006
Valley Advocate, Style feature, August '06
DeviantArt.com. Los Angeles, CA
-Photographs featured as DailyDeviations May, August 05, March 06
Portfolio Magazine, Springfield MA 2005
Varla Magazine, Varla.com 2004
PlasmaRag Magazine, plasmarag.com 2004.
-Photograph featured as cover image, May
Savage Magazine, 1999


SHOWS

Valley Photographic Center, Springfield MA 2005
Featured Artist, "Glam in the Valley" show, April

Dane Gallery, Indian Orchard MA
Featured Artist "In Other News" show February 2006
Featured Artist "A Look at Erotica" show March 2005
Featured Artist "Glam at the IOM" show October 2004

Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography, Turners Falls MA
Doctors Without Borders benefit exhibition and print sale June/July '06
Part of museums permanent collection

I graduated with my portfolio in the top 10% of my class from Hallmark Institute of Photography.

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