Interested in working with me on a zivity.com photo set?

If you have seen my profiles on Model Mayhem or One Model Place, have answered an ad of mine on Craigslist, or we've been in touch some other way, you may have some questions about shooting with me for Zivity. Unfortunately, the Zivity site doesn't provide very many details to would-be models. Instead of typing the same info in emails each time, I have compiled lists of details that should give you a good sense of how the Zivity site works and what it is to work with me, as well.

If you have any other questions or would like to schedule a shoot, drop me an email. I look forward to working with you.

Basic Info:

  • Zivity is a site that celebrates feminine beauty
  • photo sets featured on the site are collaborative efforts between photographers and models
  • many photo sets are theme based, but that is not a requirement
  • many photo sets feature nudity, but that is also not a requirement
  • members of the site (mostly other photogs and models, for now) are allowed to cast votes for sets they like
  • each vote translates into $0.60 for the model and $0.20 for the photographer
  • Zivity takes care of paying photogs and models separately and independently, so you don't need to worry whether or not the photographer will give you your share; it will come directly to you from them
  • there are some models and photographers with over 3000 votes, granted these people have multiple sets online, but hey, you have to start somewhere

The way it works:

  • we collaborate on a creative, sexy photo set
  • you will need to set up a model profile; I have invites for models to set up a profile for free; if we work together I will send you one. Setting up your Zivity profile takes less time than setting up ModelMayhem page. The photo set we work on together will be linked to both your profile and mine; any sets you work on in the future whether with me or another photographer will also be linked to your profile.
  • we submit the photos along with a release from each of us and if it's your first set, they will need a W-9 and copy of your id to verify you are at least 19 years old
  • Zivity is a 'by the book' operation; they will withhold taxes if earnings exceed $600 (which is why they need the W-9)
  • they review the set and contact YOU to give your final approval (that way sneaky photographers can't submit photos that the model doesn't approve of... not that I would even try)
  • once they have your approval they schedule the set to go live and appear on the site
  • once the site is live, people start voting for our set and we make some $$
Photo by Rich Cirminello: photo can be seen and purchased as part of the set Red Couch #3 on Smugmug;
password: purebeauty

Why I like Zivity:

  • the photos are the style I like to shoot and see: shadowy, flirtingly sexy photos of women that push the limits of erotica without vulgarity
  • it gives me a chance to work with models on a tfp 'plus benefits' basis. What that really means is that You don't have to pay me for the photography, editing, and retouching of photos; I don't pay you for modeling. We work together and benefit mutually from the labors of doing a beautiful set.
  • Zivity takes care of the $$; it's completely out of our hands so we are free to continue to collaborate and work together without worrying about the 'money thing'
  • Zivity releases are non-exclusuve so if we decide and agree to do something else with the photos in addition to Zivity, we can
  • there is a networking component which has a little ways to go in terms of being very useful (the site has been live only a few weeks and they are still making improvements), but it is not uncommon to see that models with several sets online have worked with a variety of photographers
  • shooting for Zivity is FUN, and that's one of the requirements of shooting with me ;)

How I Work:

I am a semi-professional shooter with experience shooting nude, lingerie, erotic, boudoir and other types of tasteful and sexy photos. I also shoot a fair amount of nature, landscapes, classic car details, performance artists, and other boring stuff. Models I have worked with run the gamut from first-timers all the way to full-time professional models that have appeared in magazines and on Playboy TV. Recent shoots have taken place in my loft/studio downtown San Jose, professional studios in San Jose, Fremont, Oakland, San Francisco and Santa Cruz, clothing optional beaches, model's homes, hotel rooms, night clubs, and various other locations.

Shoots should be light and fun. If we're not having fun, then we're doing it wrong.

It is important to me (and the quality of the shoot) that you are comfortable and feel safe. With that intention in mind, I often shoot with the help of a female assistant, but have no problem working one on one. If you feel more comfortable bringing your own chaperone, that's usually fine provided that person meets the following basic criteria:

  • unless someone's safety is at risk, the chaperone should not interfere with the shoot in any way
  • the chaperone should not be your husband or boyfriend; despite their support and good intentions, they usually (if unintentionally) cause distractions from our ability to focus. I don't have any problem with your husband/boyfriend dropping you off and picking you up from a shoot, however
  • unless I know them, the chaperone should not be a photographer (too many witches spoil the brew)

Finally, since I am not a full-time pro, my shooting time is limited and I want to make the most of it. I often have to make special arrangements to set up a shoot which may include travel, reserving equipment and/or studio space, and scheduling an assistant. I understand that things come up and am quite reasonable, so if for any reason you need to cancel or will be late for an appointment, I appreciate as much notice as you can possibly give. In return, you can expect the same courtesy and professionalism from me, as well.

Photo by Reese Brandman: Flickr

What You Can Expect Working With Me

Behavior

Motivated by the technical challenges of photography, an unapologetic appreciation of feminine beauty, the experience and ultimate results of making beautiful photographs, I focus all of my efforts to those ends. Getting satisfactory results requires hard work from both sides of the camera, but the experience of that work should be both fun and rewarding.

You can expect my behavior to be professional, respectful of your body space, at times sarcastic and humorous, but never vulgar or threatening.

Before working together we should have clearly discussed your comfort level in terms of costume (or lack of costume) and posing positions, and you can expect that I will respect those limits. I find that the best models are comfortable models and trying to cross lines into territory that the model is not comfortable with is not the best way to get good results.

Stuff

At the conclusion of a session, you will be asked to sign a release for Zivity; if it is your first set (or your first time working with me), I will need to scan a copy of your ID. I will also have a W-9 form that you can fill out on the day of the shoot so that I can have all the paperwork ready to submit with the photo set, once it has been prepared.

After the conclusion of the session, here's what you can expect:

  • I will do a rough edit of the photos and remove any that are junk (ie: you blinked, the flash didn't fire, blurry, out of focus, etc...). I usually do this within a day or two of the session
  • I will then post the photos that I feel are the strongest candidates for a Zivity set online in a private gallery protected by a password
  • You will receive a link to that gallery and the password in email and I will ask you to start choosing your favorites
  • I will begin retouching photos that I feel are the strongest, then together with your input, we will assemble a set and I will work on any images we choose that still need retouching. Retouching can take anywhere from 1 day to a week depending on how many strong candidates we have identified
  • I will send you a link to the edited set once it has been completed (again, password protected) and we can make our final decision on which will go into the Zivity set
  • I will prepare the set according to Zivity's technical requirements and submit it to Zivity with all the required paperwork
  • Finally, I will post a zipped file of all of the retouched images (or put them on a CD, whichever is most convenient for both of us) for your use* *Those images are for your private, non-exclusive, non-commercial, or promotional use; ie: online modeling portfolio or printed book, MySpace, Facebook, share with your boyfriend/husband, etc… Any online use requires a link back to my site or, if on a modeling site, my photographer profile on that site. You MAY NOT use the images in any commercial way without my consent. Similarly, you must grant me permission to use the images to promote myself as a photographer, or other non-commercial use related to photography

Without additional mutual agreement, arrangement, and possibly compensation, both of us may use the retouched images only for self-promotion or personal non-commercial use.

About YOU

Zivity has some strict requirements about it's models and I have a few of my own on top of those. Here is a compiled list of both.

  • You should be at least 19 years old and have ID to prove it; Zivity will require a copy of your ID to be sent in with your first set
  • Natural breasted women are strongly preferred
  • Prior modeling experience is not required
  • as mentioned above, nudity is NOT required, however given that we will be paid based on the popularity of our photo set, being confident and comfortable modeling in your birthday suit will likely generate more $$ for both of us
  • you should be able to keep any scheduling commitments that we make
  • you should have a fun, positive attitude

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to drop me an email or give me a call (if you have my number).

Looking forward to working with you.