Beyond My Usual Shoot(s) - Notes on my participation in "Viv's Art + Figure Photo Workshop"

I have, on occasion, fallen into a rut in my photography with art-nude (and otherwise nude) models and clients. I enjoy the company, the collaboration, and the creativity that seems to escalate exponentially during an especially good shoot. But while I still pursue some very high-concept, narrative sets of images, I sometimes fill the remainder of a photo session by following the same (albeit profitable) repeated pattern with variations in wardrobe/angle/setting/props: woman in clothing, then woman removing clothing, and finally woman without clothing. To be honest, the income from those relatively mundane sets helps fund the budget for the more artistic efforts. But even in those assembly-line segments of a shoot, there can (and probably should) be more consideration of the artistry that would honor the model’s efforts.

Whether as clients, new models testing the waters, experienced and experimenting collaborators needing to expand the boundaries of their content, or the occasional, famous traveling models who contact me as a stopover on their trek between SF and LA, I have tended to shoot anyone and everyone I could. There are some I have shot only once, and regretted that they have retired or at least no longer travel in our area. Others I have shot once and regretted…well, I’ve regretted shooting with them at all for a variety of reasons. And then there are the members of “the core group” that I would shoot all day, every day, if only I could sort/edit/post fast enough to generate sufficient budget to keep us all housed and fed. But that would mean, definitely, turning out more and more of that mundane formula I mentioned above, with only variations in wardrobe, props, locations, and combinations of models to keep me mildly interested. Yes, I admit that sometimes I have become bored with my own photography.

But there are some models, however, who inspire my greater efforts toward the more ambitious goals of accomplishing real art. A few even qualify as muses, and a couple of those have become trusted mentors, instructors, and coaches in the development of my photography. In particular, Vivian Cove has graciously, generously and, on occasion, confrontationally pushed me to expand my boundaries, envision a farther horizon, and embody more consistently the calling that I know shows up in my best work. I am indebted to her for several of what I would call my “Top Ten Best Images.” But as of last Sunday there’s more to it.

Last Sunday I participated in a workshop where Vivian provided instruction and coaching to a group of us as photographers, with a carefully selected group of models who “get it” in terms of pursuing our vision for great photography, doing so in an exceptionally photogenic location – with the opportunity not only to consider the topics she presented for our education and edification, but to discuss in real time and afterward how those concepts and goals affected and showed up in our work that day.

“Viv's Art + Figure Photo Workshop” expanded my photography “vocabulary” and resulted in information, discussions, and images that will continue to influence my efforts through the remainder of my career as a photographer. Those who aspire to improve, excel, and fulfill their calling as a photographer should make sure they reserve a place in one of Vivian’s upcoming workshops.