Laura

may shoot 2 080, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Meet Larua (Model Mayhem #2202555), a new model I just worked with this last weekend.
She is an actress mostly, and just started doing modeling in addition. She was a lot of fun to work with, and I can't wait to work with her again.
I found her while doing a search on MM for a specific model for my "Black Orchid" comic idea. When I saw her, I knew that she was the one. I sent her an email, and she said she was interested.
In exchange for her working with me on "Black Orchid", I offered to help her build her portfolio. I is my hope that my photos help her.
Keep an eye out for more photos.

Pictures for Today

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

Here are the first truly edited photos from my Summer Gurls shoot. The three women are so beautiful, it was tough picking out pictures, so I just started looking until I found one that caught my eye and used it.
I would like to mention that lighting is where I have issues. One of the photos was posted on a Facebook group I was invited into. No sooner was the picture posted I got hammered by the professionals. Based upon their input, it turns out that if I had not diffuesd the flash, I could have filled in the dark areas, providing a more clear image. Looks like I have some reading about fill flash.

BTS: Summer Gurls

may bts 022, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

I love seeing how things work on a film or video shoot. Thanks to the assistance of my wife Ann, my daughter Charis, and Amber, Model Laura's sister, you get to see the kind of fun I have.
This was shoot in a small wooded area behind my house. Things were going pretty good, then suddenly we were beset by bugs. I still managed to get some great photos,but we had to relocate back to my house. Next time, I'm going to bring bug spray.

Black Orchid: The Comic Book

black orchid 008comic, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Many years ago (okay it was 25 years), I had aspired to be a comic book creator and writer. I could not draw to save my life, so I tried to find others to help me. But as things change, I moved, they moved, we lost track, it seemed my dream to create a comic book had come to an end.

Then, I got into photography.

First, as I was learning how to edit, I took some photos of D, edited them, and called it "Hyperarm"

Second, I was trying to figure out ideas for photoshoots, I decided to pull out my list of comic book ideas, and I found Helicopter Girls. Thanks to a lot of luck, and a posting on Model Mayhem, I brought my idea to life.

Then, I took it one step further. I rendered the photos to look like air brushed comic art, and I was amazed at how well it came out.

So, once I saw I could do it on a regular basis, I decided to bring out my very first, and by far favorite comic book idea "Black Orchid" and do it as a photorealistic comic book.

But not any old person would do.

I began a search to be the physical representation of "Orchid", a retired assassin who is forced back into her old life when all her friends are murdered and turned into killing machines. I found her with Michelle (MM #2202555). Today was the first day we tested the outfit, and the results were beyond amazing. We even got her sister Amber into the fun.

So, while these are only test shots, I think they can serve as good promotional material for a comic I hope to start working on over the rest of 2011 with a release date of 2012.

So, here is the first promotional art for “Black Orchid”. Keep a watch on this blog for more updates!

Summer Gurls

Summer Gurls, a set on Flickr.

Today was a good day.
Like the song from Ice Cube, I was very busy today. Two of my regular models, Katya and Jaine were joined by the lovely and talented Laura for my Summer Gurls shoot.
The idea came from another model, who sadly could not make it due to illness. She wanted to do something in a summer dress, in the woods, with the sun peaking through the trees. I had wanted to do a fintness shoot, so I figured we could combine the two. But, as most everyone was not "fitness" ready (figure that one out), we scrapped the fitness, and came up with Summer Gurls.
These photos are just a small sample from the shoot. They are raw, so any color or lighting issues have not been corrected.
I'm sure you will enjoy.

Jaine Jewel: My Discovery

Jaine Jewel Photo Gallery, a set on Flickr.

Working out at the gym, I noticed one of the fitness trainers was an amazing looking woman. She had features like no other, and an amazing body (even though I prefer curves). I asked if she would like to join me at my next shoot, and she said yes.
So, two shoots (and a third tomorrow) later, Jaine has now burst upon the scene. She already has worked with another photographer, and his work with her is amazing.
As always, it's hard to let someone go and work with others, but you can't be selfish when you want them to be successful. Besides, she and I are friends, and we support each other.
Please enjoy my photos, and visit her Model Mayhem Page: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2214502