Edward:  Welcome to Connex247!  Tell us about yourself, hometown and heritage.

James:  Wow there is a lot to cover in this 1st question. If you take pieces of my life & put them together it sounds exciting, but on the whole I'm actually pretty boring. Right now I'm really focused on creating quality work & growing as an artist.

My social life consists of the rare date & small dinner parties with friends (I love cooking). We all hang out in the kitchen eat & talk about everything. (The picture on left is of James Franklin, not a model. LOL)

My family traveled all over the country & abroad (I'm an air-force brat) so I really don't have a hometown. I think I've lived in both Northern & Southern California (9 years) & Dallas/Forth Worth Texas (22 years) the most. I now currently live in Los Angeles. I miss Dallas, but LA has it's moments where it can be fun & even charming.

Edward:  How do you define your style and how did you become interested in a career as a photographer?

James: My style is always evolving & changing. Most categorize my work as commercial. My interest in photography came from an interest in art. I studied everything I could (art history, design, sculpture, architecture), but I didn't fully explore the art of photography until I got into college. 

I wanted a creative career & photography gave me the most options with the greatest freedom. I was very lucky to have some great instructors who allowed me to really explore photography & push my personal limits as an artist.

Edward:  Do you think that digital era really helped the photographers concerning aspects like quality and technology?

James: I've shot film, scanned & digitally manipulated images for years. Recently I switched over to shooting digital. Digital saves time & gives us instant gratification. That's it. I have to say I am grateful I learned about photography using film.

I had to work hard to perfect the images sight unseen until processing. Digital just makes things easier. If you fuck up your shot, you reshoot it on the spot till it's right, or Photoshop the problems away.

There is a new breed of photographers out there. They are amazing, creating cutting edge images like never produced before, but they seem to lack the basics because they rely so heavily on digital manipulation & artificial lighting to create the "perfect image". I dare any of them to create an appealing, perfect image using just there camera. nothing else.

Photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, Robert Maplethorpe, Helmut Newton, Ellen Von Unwerth all Icons in the industry all shot film & all created iconic images using film & their camera.

Edward:  Do you think anyone can be a photographer?

James: I think anyone can call themselves a photographer, but it takes a true artist at heart to create lasting images. Anyone can aim a camera at something beautiful & it's going to be appealing.

A true photographer creates an entire image that is appealing because of all the elements involved in the image.

Edward: Do you think anyone can be a model & do you have any advice for aspiring models?

James:  Yes anyone can be a model depending on what they intend to do. There are industry standards for beauty, fashion, fitness & commercial work.

My advice:

1. Check out the local agencies in your area & listen to them even if it's not what you want to hear.
2. Be realistic about your goals.
3. Understand your going to deal with a lot of rejection.
4. Don't pay for modeling schools. paying for classes won't make you a model, just broke.
5. Don't pay an agency to rep you. again paying an agency won't make you a model, just broke.
6. Keep trying. one month your cold, the next you could be hot.

Edward:  What is the best / worst that has been said about your work?

James:

Worst: "your work is not very clever & your subjects are boring" (everyone is entitled to their opinion)

Best:  "Sometimes, when we see great things.... we can't describe the exactness of the quality that makes them so. That is the case with James outstanding images. His shot are 110%. The composition, the clarity, contrast and lightness. Perfection would be a step down."  JP Valdez, Manhattan Art critic (this one made my year).

Edward:  How are you to work with? Some photographers can be great, some too demanding.

James: I have my thoughts & can be opinionated, but most will say I am one of the easiest to work with. I'm like a kid when I am shooting & totally love what I do with all my heart. I demand a lot from myself & can sometimes get pissed at myself for not doing my best.

Edward:  What are your favorite models and what do u like most about them?

James:  Oh I have two that come to mind....

1st is Jeff. We are great friends. He is so much fun to work with & was always game for anything. He helped me take my work to another level. Before him all my work was very beautiful but kind of cold. Working with Jeff I found a new energy in my shots I had not produced before.

2nd is David (pictured right), a commercial model. I met David through a mutual friend, we clicked immediately & started dating. In the beginning we had decided not to work together because we felt it would be a conflict, but with a little coaxing I talked him into doing a shoot together. I think because I had such an intimate connection with this man the images are more personal to me. It was one of the best shoots I ever had shooting someone. Edward:  I’m sure u might have some unusual/funny backstage stories. Share some of them with us

James:  There are plenty. Just about every shoot I do has some small element of fun. I think the funniest behind the scenes story has to be when I was shooting singer Paul Lekakis. One of the shots he's using was photographed in a port-a-potty. Man did it stink, but the image is beautiful & works well for the CD cover.

Edward: What are some of your current/future projects?

James:  After taking a two year break from beefcake calendars I have the new 2008 Cowboys calendar about to hit the stores (trendsinternational.com). I also do a lot of family portrait work & private contract work for designers (these images are usually still life, or digital abstracts).

I'm shooting a lot with Paul Lekakis these days. He's a blast to be around. I am working with a LA based clothing manufactures (athletica.net) & I'm about to start working with production company on a MAJOR film project. I can't discuss the details at this time but I'm over the top thrilled to be on board with this project.

Edward:  If a model wants to work with you, how do they get in touch?

James:  Smoke signals wouldn't be practical so sending me an e-mail I think works best. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Edward: Thanks for sharing your story with us. Leave a message to Connex247 readers around the world.

James: I am thrilled to have a creative job I truly love and can share with many. To be able to work with such an amazing group of people in front of and behind the camera allows me great freedom as an artist and I am truly grateful.

James Franklin Website (http://www.jamesfranklin.net)