Here are answers to questions that I am usually asked and you're welcome to email me any questions.
Why should I shoot for FB ?
You will get several edited pictures, be paid, be treated with respect, presented in a classy way, and get exposure. Its really that simple, theres no smoke and mirrors, no bs.
Another reason is I am striving hard to create a prestige by having sky high standards. This way getting on the site it means something because only the most absolute beautiful girls are shot and you can feel like you are part of a very exclusive club!
*Beautiful natural looking girls - The number one priority for me is how pretty the model is. I look for rare beauty, the type of girl that people can't help but be drawn too they are so beautiful.
*In great shape. - The ideal body is fit but not muscular.
*Age 18-26 -
*Preferrably no tatoos or exotic piercings - I edit out all tatoos because I like the girl nextdoor look. Normal sized tatoos are relatively easy to photoshop out. But if you have a big one please let me know.
*Comfortable with skimpy bikinis -
*Full body tan -
*Photogenic - Able to do consistent natural looking facial expressions.
* I prefer models that aren't very active models. Meaning that I mostly shoot models that have done very few shoots. Its much better for business to shoot a great model that has done very little modeling, then to shoot a model that has worked with every swimsuit photographer and is on every site.
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What type of deals do you offer ?
It is a paid shoot (inquire for details) and I give several of the best pictures all photoshopped and ready for you to upload to your portfolios etc.
Keep in mind that in most paid shoots you will be offered few if any pictures. And even in tfp shoots many photographers will only offer a very small amount of edited pictures and then demand payment to do more.
Wheras I am very generous with pictures because I think it is good promotion, and I eventually photoshop all the pictures in a set to add them to the site, so it isn't creating work I wouldn't have to do anyway.
What is your availability ?
I can shoot just about any day as I have no other job than running my sites, but I much prefer weekdays. I shoot in the late afternoon.
Is big chest size required ?
No. Its not a requirement to have a big chest. Ideally a model would have a decent sized chest as this gives certain poses more effect, but it all comes down to marketablity. If a girl has only a B cup and an amazing body and gorgeous face and is going to get people to go wild over her pics, then that is someone I want to shoot with. Rare beauty is the main priority for me. Any girl can buy boobs but its hard to buy beauty.
Tell me more about your shooting style.
Every photographer does things different, but I have found techniques that have worked well for me. I don't claim to be a great or even good photograher at all, but I do feel confident my work is some of the best outdoor bikini pictures out there.
I'm more of a businessman than an artist but I enjoy the creativity of producing content that meets both my own high standards as well as the models and site visitors. I spend countless hours studying posing and every other details to constantly improve and do shoots as near perfect as possible.
I try hard to stay modest and always push forward. The second a photographer feels they are doing something special, is the second their ego is out of control and will lead to their downfall.
A great finished product is a combination of a pretty model, good wardrobe, good posing, good location, good post-production. If all those things are done right, the result is a hot picture that is going to make people take notice.
Tell me more about you.
I am a genuine person that treats models with respect. I am very straightforward and have nothing to hide. I conduct myself as a professional at all times. Reputation is everything in this business and the key to building a good reputation is to simply never act badly. Most of the very beautiful girls I have shot are the result of word of mouth which comes from treating models well and they in turn give a good report to their girlfriends.
I started learning swimsuit photography a few years ago. I always had an interest in it from running my various bikini sites and never really saw the type of bikini pictures I thought would be the best way of doing them. Then I took the plunge, read everything I could and did practice shoots. I continually learned through trial and error and kept detailed notes on every minute detail which I continually fine tune.
What type of bikinis are in my wardrobe ?
My wardrobe contains thong bikinis and some slingshots, as well as a variety of different tops, jewelry etc. If you have some hot bikinis (thong ones only please) bring them, as well as any cool tops and stuff you may have. I have a ton of bikinis and other wardrobe items, but if you have a cool idea, don't hesitate to bring something.
What to expect at the shoot.
The shoot will last about two hours and go very fast. If you have never done a shoot like this and don't now what to expect, it is really no big deal and nothing to be nervous about. I try to do four good complete sets. I am very organized and prepared and bring a bag with things such as the wardrobe, oil, water bottle, towel, brush, mirror, etc. And I do things as descreetly as possible (ie stay away from other people and don't draw attention). I give 100% direction, so its ok if you don't have much posing knowledge.
Do you use an assistant ?
No. Everything you see is done with just me and my camera, and of course the sun :)
Will you try to get me to shoot nude ?
No. The limit I go up to is implied nudity. I have no need for actual nudes. If a picture contains a nipple slip, it will be photoshopped out or the picture will be deleted. I am not sleazy like that. I also do not use anything see thru such as very sheer fabric or loose fishnet tops.
Will the pictures be re-sold to a lot of people.
No. I want my content to be as exclusive as possible to floridabikinis.com and have no desire to license my content to any other websites.
Do I do my own makeup ?
Yes. I prefer natural looking makeup as I like a youthful girl nextdoor kind of look. I also do a thorough job in photoshop fixing things such as wrinkles, glare, blemishes, runny makeup etc.
How long is the shoot?
Around a couple hours. I shoot in the late afternoon, up until sunset.
If I am to receive pictures, when do I get them ?
Pictures will be given after the post production process. In other words, after they are photoshopped. This way you get a finished product, and I am putting my name on something I did, instead of it being done by someone that would not do it as good, or in a way that I wouldn't.
I try to do this as soon as possible after the shoot. If I get really busy with other things, I will try do at least some right away. It is a time consuming process and sometimes I get backed up, but in time you will get a bunch of the pictures. I am not stingy with pictures.
Can I get a large scale version of a certain picture to use for printing on a comp card etc ?
Yes, I will give a very large print size of specific pictures on request for use in self promotion printing.
Do I sign a model release ?
Yes, a standard full model release as this is a commerical site.
Got any good advice for models ?
Since starting photography I have formed various opinons, and talking with other models I have gained a lot of insight on the modeling field.
- This is the best tip of all. Do research on photographers you are going to shoot with. Email or talk to other girls the photographer has shot. You will be surprised to find out that some photographers that may come off really nice on the phone/email/message boards have bad reputations.
I think a lot of times girls develop what I call 'ignorant loyalty' which is when they are loyal to a photographer that is essentially a jerk but at least have somewhat of a comfort level with and are afraid of the unknown.
- If something seems too good to be true it is. If you get a very big $$$ offer it is usually one of two things 1. a scam 2. the type of photographer that throws big money at models to try to sleep with them.
Another aspect of this is some girls enter into sugar daddy relationships, and on msg boards etc give a lot of compliments to them, but then behind their back make it known they are just using them for money. The harm in this is unaware models see these compliments and then want to shoot with the photographer without realizing this.
- The sooner you realize that most shoots, contests, promo events, bikini teams, are mainly just a way for rich guys to hang out with pretty girls, the less bad experiences you will have. There are very few things that are run professionaly and don't come with strings attached. This is why I don't advise being a full time model. There is just way too much bs out there that a girl would need to go through to make a living. A better strategy is to go to school or get a job and then just do specific legit modeling jobs on the side.
- The simple truth is there are few photographers that can have a half naked girl in front of them without acting like a fool. Some will take the direct approach and start asking you out and saying really sexual things. Others will take the indirect route and give a line like 'we should go out to dinner some night as friends'.
- There are essentially 3 types of photographers you will encounter. 1) Good guys. They will treat you with respect, be honest with you, and not have ulterior motives. This is by far the rarest group. 2) Ego maniacs. They will have the attitude that you should kiss their ass for the privledge of shooting. They will talk to you like garbage if you refuse to shoot for free. They will hype themself up like crazy and fill your head with bs. One of the signs of this is if they say 'my models' when talking about girls they have shot. 3) Perverts. Their sole reason of shooting with you is to see you naked and try to get you to go bed or at least hang around them to feel like a bigshot.
- Never shoot for free if the images are going to be used in any commerical way. You will be persuaded in every way possible to do this but when it comes down to it you are just getting duped. The way real business works is spend money to make more money. Most don't have a legit profitable business so they need to convince girls to shoot for free.
- If a photographer is always calling you baby honey sweetheart, or saying sexual things, I would be leary. Its just a lame attempt at a pickup line and unprofessional. A good rule to remember is to imagine you and the photographer worked for a company, lets say in an office setting. What would happen if they talked to you in this way at the office? Chances are they'd be fired in a heartbeat.
- Something I have realized the more I do this is most of the models have very little understanding of the online world. Online success is all about traffic and market share. Anybody can slap together a decent looking site and then try to sell you the idea that it will be great exposure for you. But the reality is the site probably gets a few hundred visitors a day. Ask them how many unique visitors they get per day. Ask them what big sites in the same niche link to them. The response you get will probably be BS and your intuition will tell you that.
- Avoid getting tatoos. They hurt your look, and what seems like a good idea at 19 will be a big regret once you get into your mid 20s.
Any tips on how to best prepare?
Drink a lot of water, go to a tanning salon and get a nice all over tan, shave your bikini line. Do natural looking makeup. Don't wear any rings etc to the shoot, wear loose fitting clothing so theres no lines on your body.
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