Modeling FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for Veilofgrey 

Where are you located: I am located in Livingston county, Michigan. About 40 minutes from Ann Arbor.

What do you look for in a model: Quite a few things but mainly a quirky sense of beauty, a willingness to try, trust, and laughter.

Do you pay your models: Not monetarily. Sessions with me are more of an exchange of time- the model gives up some of her/his time to model and I give up some of mine to create images of the model the way I see him/her. It's referred to as TFcd/TFP- time for cd of images, time for prints of images.

What you'll get from a Session: At the end of the shoot you will  pick 8 to 12 images you want me to work on. I usually pick a different set of photographs I like and will work on those as well.  A few weeks after a session you will  receive a disc of web sized shots, logo-ed;  and a set you can make prints of - logoed as well, of the shots you and I chose from the session. Previously I would also provide a set of non-logoed  shots but I have been finding these pictures popping up on facebook and the like and have had to discontinue doing this.  NO removal of my logo in any manner- through cropping, cloning, etc.; is allowed without my written consent. If you have done this, I would recommend taking the pictures down, this is the first year that I will be sending out DMCA complaints out about this.

What are sessions like with you: They are pretty straightforward and silly. We discuss what we will be shooting beforehand either thru email or on the telephone- I definitely need to know what you are not comfortable shooting- nudes, wearing animal fur, etc so I don't ask for this during the shoot. We set up a time to shoot, you show up,  you sign a model release, and we start shooting. I will probably trip and fall sometime during the shoot and get up laughing. 

What's your policy toward escorts: Thankfully this comes up rarely. I don't have a problem with them if the model does not. If you would like bring one person who is cool and fun to be around, knock yourself out. I understand you are bringing them to make sure I am safe to work with. But here is where an escort needs to be nixed- they make you uncomfortable, you seek approval from them, they are judgmental, or they have input on what you shoot. Seriously, controlling significant others, etc are lame and so are those who have them, so if you got one the shoot is nixed before we even start. Either way, I need to know before the shoot whether an escort is accompanying you or not; because I may need an 'escort' in case your 'escort' turns out to be crazy as hell for my own protection.  heheheheh....

Addendum to escorts, make-up artists, etc: I have had 2 shoots where the escort ruined the shoot for the model. Seriously, the work was flawed solely due to the escort. You need to have a talk with your escort before the shoot, to basically shut the fuck up. If they have comments to help you pose, etc, during the shoot, they need to keep it to themselves when the camera is going. They aren't seeing you down the barrel of the lens. And honestly, if they want to photograph you they should- at a later time, dig? Really, really lame on this one.

Where do you get models: Originally all the models were people I knew personally. Slowly this turned into meeting more models by word of mouth from previous friends. At this point it has kind of snowballed and I would say it is 50-50 on meeting models either through on-line photographer/model sites and referrals from previous people I have worked with.

Do you have a studio: I do however I have moved recently and the majority of  my work now will be on location or at a place the model may provide. I will shoot some boudoir, lingerie, etc. at my home which has a Parisian and Victorian styling; however I generally only shoot this with models I have worked with previously. Like everyone else, I do not wish a bunch of people hanging out in my home I do not know well.

Do you prefer to work on location or in studio: I prefer on location shoots especially for a first time session. I have found studio work goes slower and is more exacting so it is much harder to establish a model photographer rapport in that environment with someone you have just met. Generally, models I have worked with at least one time prior seem to be much stronger for studio sessions rather than straight out the gate. Also studio work always looks like, well studio work. While this obviously has its place and can produce rather intriguing lighting effects, I enjoy the freedom of being on the street.

I have seen you shoot at the same location more than once, why: My belief is that photography is frequently a story of revisionism. In life we learn from mistakes and improve; photography is no different. I will return to the same location to correct an error I have made or to see what a different model can bring to the location. I believe in following up on variations to a theme and will tweak something until I believe I got it right or that the possibility of getting it right has some how passed.

About location work and the need for privacy: Models need to keep the location we are shooting at between themselves, their escort, and me. I am seeing entirely too many friends of models I worked with at a previous shoot just wandering in, when I am working with someone else. It's just rude to myself and the next model I work with so let's nix it here- Keep the location to yourself so I don't have to talk to your cousin or that guy in biology lab you just had to tell about your shoot, or that photographer who doesn't take the time to find his/her own locations. Really not cool.

During a session is it a quantity thing or a quality thing: hahahahaha....I am a photographer not a cinematographer. I average about 120 to 150 shots for a strong model on a 4 hours session; more if the model is pretty new to modeling. Twenty percent of these will wind up on the cutting room floor. Anyone can just hold the trigger down and pray something appears, I am not that type of religious. My idea here is that I take the shots to get me what I am looking for, tweaking between the clicks of the shutter, after I get the shot I move on. If the shot is damned elusive I will try again at a later date when things are working for me. But if you are asking if you are going to hear the camera clicking rapid fire, hail Mary style? No, not with me. I make an exception here for very precise motion work  where I want to capture the sequence of the action.

Do you help a model pose: hmmmm...up to a point. If someone is lost I will provide direction, often. My sessions are collaborative so when working together during a session we both know what we are after and where we are going. The how to get there is usually taken care of as I'll suggest an emotion based in a situation and we'll tweak the action off of that. I want to get away from posing someone and have the set be based in acting and action. My job at its height is to chose how the camera will record the action or acting, the model's is to find and showcase the variations on the acting theme. Yes, again with the revisionism. Really before a session with me, you want to have facial expressions and body language for moods down. Blank expressions or the same expression over and over produce at best repetitive and tired shots. No one wants to look at more than three of these, myself included.

Do you provide hair/make-up/ a wardrobe stylist: No, I generally choose models to work with that are stunning so hair and make-up generally have a more natural beauty look in my work. If a model wants to bring their own hair/ make-up/ wardrobe stylist, while that is okay, I would discourage it. I like to work quick and fast while chasing the best light. I do not believe a hair/ make-up/ a wardrobe stylist could keep up with me. If you know people who can get you ready in between locations in under 10-15 minutes by all means let's discuss it. 

How do I set up a shoot: Just email me here and include one or more low res. jpeg photos or a link to photographs of yourself (at least one needs to be a full length shot) and we can start discussing what we are both trying to capture on film. I am not overly picky on who I work with but am known to be quite rigorous in weeding out loons, prima donnas, and those from the school of Rude so I'll say it like I have said it for years, " If you can't show up on time, are the type of person who always seems to have bad things happen to them, please do not happen to me. Go elsewhere, anywhere else." If you find yourself not one of the above definitely shoot me an email. hahhahahah....Seriously however, I choose locations based on the lighting, if you are late for a shoot you could easily blow 2-3 locations and the ideas that go with them for our session.

Will you shoot my child, etc: I get asked this a lot. No, I don't shoot anyone who is not at least 18. I make a few exceptions here and there when the parents are willing to sign a model release for a model who is 17 or 16 but it is really rare for me to do this. I like children well enough. I have just found, for the most part, parents do not see their children the way I see them and so I can't create work that moves me with them while also pleasing their parent.

How do I get in touch with X model: You kind of don't. If the model wanted his/her email address or some other way to be contacted listed on my site I would list it. However if you email me about setting up a shoot, I will get in touch with model X and let you know if there is an interest. As a disclaimer, if you have romantic intentions do not email me to set up a date- ever...

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