One of the things that a photographer will hear often in working with models is something to the effect that this girl or that girl is a diva. She’s got attitude, she’s a bitch, etc etc.

One of the the things that for whatever reason is not talked about on the other hand, is how many photographers are divas as well. There are sites out there like Model Mayhem for example, where for every ten photographers, one is a legitimate photographer that is trained to some degree, has a business where he eats if he has work, starves if he doesn’t so his photos very much are his bread and butter so to speak. The other nine are what is referred to as PWC. Pervert with camera.

A guy buys a camera, takes a few off angle photos of a girl and oh look, he’s now a photographer.

Then he starts to message models saying how they need better photos and he’s available etc. You go look at his portfolio and his photos are blurry, poorly lit, basically newbie errors. Perhaps rushed errors. Perhaps he just doesn’t know better because he/she is new to the game.

I guess what I am saying here, when you’re viewing models, the stereotype is often then that they will be bitchy and true enough, some are. Some are a handful and then some, thinking the sun rises and sets with them. Then there are others that are so amazing to work with, so easy to get along with. Not catty, not bitchy or needy etc.

When it comes to photographers, we all start at the beginning so it stands to reason that pick any photographer and ask him/her to see their work and the early stuff will suck compared to the newer stuff. Some photogs are obviously just better then others of course.

I don’t claim to be holy shit amazing, but I know when I look at my work, I can see growth. That’s all I’m after. Keep learning, try and keep getting better. I don’t shit on other photographers or at least, I try not to. In the past I had questions about one guy out there that had a monster sized ego, it made me confused. A good photographer for sure, but like all photographers, not the best. His ego is what made him look less then desirable as a great photographer. What’s worse, he’d tell people he was having sex with all the girls he worked with. That’s lame and somewhat sad. The girls always found it funny I bet. “funny” that is.

Many guys get into the game thinking they’ll be so knee deep in tail it’ll be stupid. It is true that yes, there are models that will think sleeping with the photographer will further their career but let’s face it, every job has this. Someone that thinks fucking the boss will make them more cash for whatever reason. Again, rookie error. The business is like any other, good moments, bad moments and you get out of it what you put into it. Become a student and learn your errors and try to become better and you will. Get stuck in the mold thinking your shit doesn’t stink and well, good luck with that.

It’s sad there are divas in the world, but there are. This blog won’t change that. It was more of a rant on my part. It cracks me up to see some of the negativity other photographers throw at each other trying to get a model to work with them. What they don’t take into consideration is how ladies often think.

If you talk this way of another, what do you say about me?

Common sense, no?

I don’t approach other girls to work with. It will sound egotistical but I don’t need to. I have a great set of ladies I work with, I’m proud to work with them and call them friends. I don’t need to cold call strangers to try and shoot them. If someone wants me to shoot them, they contact me and if it’s an option, great! If not, maybe another time. Truth is, I am busy and I like doing what I’m doing. I don’t go messaging models in Model Mayhem trying to get a girl naked. No disrespect, but I could give a shit.

Life is supposed to be fun, you’re supposed to love doing what you do and if in your job, you have to break down others or insult/talk shit of others, that says a great deal about yourself. If you’re defending your own rep because someone has lied about you, fine, call them out. Tell others about that person if you’re defending your own rep. You don’t go messaging people randomly talking shit. You end up just looking pathetic.

Reality is there will always be shitty people out there. So what? That’s their problem. You need to worry about YOU. Fuck the haters, they’ll self destruct soon enough, they always do.

ps, if you own a bbq with propane tank, do this. thank you.