BACK TO DENVER

I'd like to thank you for thinking of me.  It's an honor to be included among the ranks of photographers you have interviewed.

I was born in Salt Lake City, but I consider Denver my hometown.  I moved here when I was 11 and while I have lived in several other cities, including Los Angeles for 10 years, I have always come back to Denver.

ALWAYS IMPROVING

I was always interested in photography, but like many amateurs I had a cheap automatic camera and thought I took great pictures.  I didn't have a clue!  After a divorce I traveled to the east coast to visit my sister who was enrolled in pro photography classes.  Seeing the difference in her pictures and mine made me decide I was never taking another bad picture again.  I came back to Denver, bought a 35 mm film camera and enrolled in some classes to learn how to use it.  There has been no turning back.  I have been working to improve my craft ever since.

DOUBLE EDGE SWORD

The digital era is a double-edged sword.  There is some sacrifice in quality but the professional learns how to turn these "flaws" to advantage, or how to shoot so they do not appear.  Other than that, the digital era has dramatically speeded up the work flow and what a skilled professional can do in photoshop to enhance an image more than compensates for any shortcomings.

NATURAL LIGHT

I am frequently complimented on my use of natural light, yet I have not relied on "natural" light for years.  I always pack powerful battery powered studio type strobes to any outdoor shoot.   Seems the sun is never quite where you want it and it is generally too harsh.  Done correctly the use of outdoor strobes can make the difference between a "snapshot" and a magazine cover.  Digital cameras have the added advantage of allowing me to see if my lighting setup is producing the desired results before leaving the location.

OFF IF ONE BAD PHOTO

If I am looking for a new talent to develop and explore, I go thorough the photos they have up and search for some quality that indicates to me there is something there I can bring out.  In this case, cell phone pictures will do.  Two of my best models were found this way.  If I am looking for a model for a shoot with specific needs and I am debating whether or not the model quite has the right look, all it takes is ONE bad photo and I'm off to the next model.  I've learned the hard way that I just can't afford to have a model who isn't quite what I expected show up on a shoot.

MODELS A SPECIAL BREED

The qualities I look for are maybe a bit different.  The looks have to be there, but that isn't enough.  Not even close.  A model is a special breed of person and I have the utmost respect for them.  A real model is passionate about creating beautiful images, connects with the photographer, and is in tune with the shoot and the look that needs to be created.  A model is an actor without words and has to be able to make the image "believable

As far as the stereotypes about models, forget em.  I consider models to be a cut above the rest.  They are among the most educated, intelligent, and talented people I've met.   I just can't say enough about them.

ADVICE TO MODELS

My advice is to be willing to work at it hard.  Nothing worthwhile comes easy.  Build a strong professional portfolio and eliminate any bad shots from it.  Think about which images you want to present to each prospect.  Don't show them images that do not align with their needs, it could work against you.  Stay in touch with your photographers, they can be a great source of additional contacts and future work.

RESEARCH AGENCIES

Research agencies before signing with one and sign with the best you can.  Once that is done, don't sit back and wait for something to happen.  Keep your eyes open for opportunities to gain more exposure.  The winning combination is hard work, the right look, a professional attitude and being seen by the right people at the right time!  Believe in yourself and don't give up.

THE INNER SOMETHING

I seem to have a real ability for finding that "inner something" in the model that makes them glow. I teach them how to work the light, pose to make their features the most flattering, and to "work the camera."  Most are amazed at how different they look in my shoots than in their previous shoots.

I also work to help good models gain exposure through publication, send their photos off to agencies and designers where I have connections and put them in touch with any contacts I feel might help their careers.  And I'm there for my models when they need moral support.

COMMUNICATING

An image can and should communicate.  A great image can create desire on the part of the viewer. It can instill a feeling of confidence.  It can evoke any of the human emotions from love to hatred, security to fear, happiness to sorrow.

However, we are bombarded by so much imagery on so many communication channels that an image has to have tremendous impact just to get someone to take notice.  That is the challenge photographers face with each shoot... to create an image so fantastic that people will take a moment to stop and look!

DOING HOMEWORK

Celebrities are like the rest of us for the most part, great people who work hard. They are a little more concerned with the final outcome of the shoot and they are busy.  They don't have all day to get the shot.  You need to do your homework a bit better and know the shot, the location, wardrobe and light that is going to make this person look better than any shoot that came before.  Don't waste their time, treat them with respect.

REASON FOR BEING

Each shoot is unique.  Some produce better shots than others, but each shoot has a moment when a shot comes up on the monitor that simply can't be improved on.  And every few shoots an image will be so fantastic that I am literally overwhelmed by its beauty.  THAT is what I live for.  It is my reason for being.

FUNNY MOMENT

I was doing a portfolio shoot with a female model in an industrial area around rush hour.  There was a busy street behind us.  I got the shot and turned to see that traffic had come to a complete halt in both directions as the constructions workers all stopped to check out the action.  I honestly couldn't believe we had created that much of a scene!

THE FUTURE

One of the more exciting new developments is that I have started working with All American Guys and will be doing a shoot for them in the near future.  I consider it a real honor to be working with them.  Michael Anthony Downs, the photographer who started it all, is simply one of the best in the business and they are picky beyond belief about the talent they use on either side of the camera.  As a result, I am now keeping my eyes open for male fitness models who fit the look for All American Guys so I can do as many shoots with them as possible.

On other fronts, I am currently in the planning stages on two fashion editorials for Fantastics Magazine.  Because the pictures tell a story, this is the most fun and challenging type of photography I do.  .

CONTACT

Models wanting to work with me should visit my website, www.markstoutphotography.com and look over my work.  They can also see more of it on My Space at http://www.myspace.com/markstoutphotography  Then they should just contact me through the e-mail links on the site and we can discuss the possibilities.

Again, thank you for including me among the photographers you have interviewed.  It is a real privilege.