Art Silva Nudes

Note to self; first visit to the beach of the season, especially to the nudie beach I gotta sunblock some parts, haha.
I know better but a friend and I went to the nude beach to even out her tan lines for modeling and I figured that two hours was not a big deal… stupid me, I have not layed out all year and I know that the first exposure is always the worse. Now I can barely sit down at my desk unless I sit VERY still… oooh ouch!!!

Speaking of things burned, this is a shot of Vassanta from my last shoot at a hot spot close to where one of our 3 wildfires started. I thought the charred manzanita tree and soil would contrast well with Vassanta’s skin tone and her poses.

It sucks sometimes being an art photographer. Especially in these times of uncertain economic blah blah blah. Not to take anything away from the models who are fighting to find work [I feel for all of you], but when photography is a passion and not at all a source of income where I make my living working at a $15 an hour job the opporitinities to work with quality models are far few in between. Unlike the last couple of years  where time was the deciding factor in hiring models, now its budget. I have passed up sooo so many offers from traveling models, many who I have worked with in the past who I know will give me the best images, and I feel bad when I have to reply with a “I can not book you at this time”  because I know for many of them THIS is their income and it breaks my heart.

I have done many local TFs to stay in practice but for the elite models who come around from time to time, I feel I am loosing out on something special when I pass on their offers. This is something that has been eating away at me for sometime now and I apologize for the outpour of self pitty. I am not looking for sympathy but more like answers, answers to where my work is at the moment and what I can do to continue supporting all the great models I am connected with.

I know many photographers are in the same boat as me and that is why I posted this. Maybe I can get inspiration from other’s exper

In honor of Carlotta being in LA this week and me not being able to make the trip down to work with one of the most beautiful and sweetest figure models I know, I thought I would post a shot we did back in late 2007.  Happy 4th everyone!!! …time to go check out the fireworks show 

First edit from my day with Vassanta and Rebecca.

This is at one of my favorite local locations; Lizards Mouth in Santa Barbara. Aside from a group of onlookers hiking near by we managed to have a wonderful session(s) of creating inspiring natural art.