MODEL PORTFOLIO CHECKLIST
for print and internet models
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This Month's Featured Photographer
Art Ketchum
ketch22@ix.netcom.com
http://www.artketchum.com
In the studio or on location, shooting a model, or shooting a product, Art Ketchum
has defined himself as one of the top photographers in the industry. Surprisingly,
most photographers know the name: Art provides most of the photography for the
Backdrop Outlet’s catalog (see RELATED STORY). However, Art’s work encompasses
more than just the commercial.
Born in 1940 in Chicago, Art caught the bug when he was 8 when his father showed
him how to make enlargements in his homemade darkroom. He really got hooked when
he won a Herco Imperial box camera the next year, a prize in a subscription contest
for the Chicago Tribune. He keep shooting while he graduated high school, took a year
of college, and later ended up in a management position at a Chicago-based corporation.
In 1978, he opened his studio:
“I guess I thought if people could see my work I would gain the acclaim I desired. Well, the world did not beat a path to my door. I soon realized how little I knew and how others in my profession were much better photographers than I was. But, I could not let go of my dream. I went to every program that I could get to and studied every photographic book that interested me. I mimicked every great shot I saw and copied the techniques of some of the best. Photographers like, William Mortenson, Deborah Turbeville, Helmut Newton, Robert Farber, Christa Peters, Jeanloup Sieff and so many others influenced my work.”
Spending about 80% of the year in Chicago, he shoots half the time on location,
and the rest in his studio. Located in an upcoming area near Downtown Chicago,
e considers it to be an ideal location. As he puts it, “It is expected that the
better photographers will be near downtown and not out in the boonies somewhere.
This is especially true in Commercial Photography.” He considers his specialty to
be product photography, and he does a lot of that:
“Over the 22 years that I have been a professional photographer, my clients give me the greatest challenges with the images they ask me to produce. When I am asked if I can do a particular type of photography, I say Yes! Yes! Yes! and then I go and figure out how to do it. I love the challenge of creating images that are on the “cutting edge”, creating sales for my clients and providing the very best image my camera and creative eye will allow.”However, he does spend a lot of time producing images of beautiful women. He is constantly looking for new models he can showcase in his portfolio:
I am always looking for new model talent. This is what keeps me on the cutting edge. Unfortunately, I may photograph 20 models to find one that stands out as a real professional with that something special that I would want to show in my portfolio. Normally, I do not pay models, but I do provide photos for any that I photograph. This gives the model the opportunity to build a better portfolio (book) without any expense. I look for the models best features and work around those features. If a model has thin thighs, and comes off as leggy I try to plan my shots around her/his best features. If a model has a stunning face then that is what I pose and light her for. I want my model to show her images to clients and other photographers and when the question comes up "Who shot this great shot?" I want my name to be the name behind that great image.”But, it hasn’t always been an easy time for Art. There have been setbacks and lots of opportunity as well:
"My worst and most embarrassing experience was when I contacted Life Magazine some years back when I read they were putting out a New Book titled "A Day in the Life of America" I talked with one of the editors and told her my idea to photograph a funeral and show how this event would affect the family and loved ones. After making all the plans to photograph a funeral and get permission from the family members. I shot the funeral and rushed home to process the film as it had to be in NY in 24 hours. In my rush I screwed up the processing and had nothing after all my effort. Very embarrassing as I had to explain what went wrong to the family, the funeral home, the magazine and learned to always back up my work with duplicate film, cameras or have polaroids that would guarantee this never happened again. I blew my opportunity to be in Life Magazine Books. Since that time I have had many dozens of articles published and many cover shots to my credit. So, don't give up when you make a mistake, persistence always wins out."
Besides shooting, Art also goes on the road with his ”Traveling Live Models
Photographic Workshop”. This is an opportunity for photographers of all skill
levels to work with Art and several top models to learn some advanced techniques
and improve their shooting skills. If you can’t get to one of his workshops,
Art has created a line of affordable videos that go through some of the basics
covered. He is also the author of a couple of books, the most well known being
“Profitable Model Photography”, and many articles which have appeared in
publications such as “Shutterbug”, “Peterson’s Photographic” and in Eastman/Kodak
books. The workshop schedule, videos and books are available on Art’s website.
And what a website it is!Opened in 1996, and designed and maintained by Rich Wooton, himself a fine photographer, Art’s site showcases his fashion and glamour work, much of it with his favorite models:
"One of the best examples of a beautiful face is the Black & White image on my site of Sabrina. Sabrina is a dedicated professional with a fantastic face and very professional attitude. All the adjectives fit Sabrina, Sexy, sensuous and exciting. This is what makes for a great model. One of my absolute favorite models is Maggie. Maggie comes to every shoot prepared with outfits that look like she just rolled off the pages of the latest fashion magazine. She is superb at doing make-up and can pull off any look I wish to capture on film. Maggie is extremely versatile. While she is average in height, she can look like the All-American girl next door, A Vamp from the 1930's or like she belongs in the Victoria Secret Catalog. And all in one shooting session. Jennifer is another favorite. Jennifer can put on many faces and is always cooperative, fun, and professional in her ability to achieve the look I am seeking."
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| Sabrina | Maggie | Jennifer |
"What normal red blooded Male, would not want to photograph a beautiful nude woman? The key to photographing women in different states of undress, is to be a professional. The model does not come to a photographer to be handled, touched nor have lewd suggestions made to her. I think most beautiful women could do better than the photographer that is seeing her in some state of nudity. A model comes to the photographer for your ability to create great images and you must build trust much like the relationship between doctor and patient. When you approach your model in this manner you can create great artistic nudes if you and the model desire. My advice is to never try to talk your model into taking clothes off if she is unsure of you and your motives."And how will this nudity effect a model’s career?
”I think nudity will not hinder a career in modeling if it is done in good taste, but it certainly is not necessary to building a career in modeling. I believe Maggie (mentioned earlier) is a prime example of a successful model. Maggie belongs to a non-nudity collation.”As always, we asked Art for any advice he could give to aspiring models:
- Study the images in the magazines and imitate the poses in front of a full length mirror. If you look silly or stupid then it probably will in pictures. If you think you look pretty cool then it probably will in photos.
- Modeling is a business; it requires promoting yourself constantly. Print business cards with your photo on them.
- Be as professional as you can by imitating the professionals that are working by looking at their model composites and spend the money for professional make-up. You may think you can do your own make-up but a professional make-up artist may see you in a light that you can not. It can be a very worthwhile investment.
- One of the worst things a model can do is go to modeling school. Totally unnecessary, and generally a waste of money.
- Look at the photographers that want to shoot with you and see if their work is good enough to spend your time shooting with that photographer.
Not surprisingly, among his hobbies, Art lists photography: "I eat, sleep
and breathe photography!" He also spends time bicycling, hiking and traveling
with his fiancee and dog.And in parting, Art gives this advice to all those aspiring Models and Photographers:
"Never give up, if you want to succeed you have to keep trying and learning from those that have succeeded before you. We learn from our mistakes if were smart. I try to make every photo shooting a catapult to go after the next opportunity. Think about it.
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