2015's Greatest Models Part IV with Elizabeth Rhoades

From a rare combination of personality, intoxicating beauty and an infectious smile I was immediately enamored with Elizabeth upon our first and only pre-shoot face to face. Elizabeth might be among a very very short list of people I could just kick it with - have a drink, a few laughs and just hang out for hours and wonder what happened to the day. I actually didn't want the meet-up to end. She's just easy to look at and very easy to talk to. Besides who wouldn't want to hangout with as gorgeous a woman as she? She has this warm easy going attractive thing working for her I couldn't let go of and I immediately thought, we're going to make some magnificent images.

It took all of about 43 seconds for me to want to shoot with her. The rest of the time was just making sure we're on the same page and ironing out a few, "who is driving this car" kind of details. You see, on creative projects it can be difficult to define who is running the show. On larger shoots you might have a creative director on occasion, a photographer, the model, a publisher or whoever else that might be attributing to or funding the idea. But there can be only a single driver in the end. Part of the meeting is to make certain we have compatible personalities and clear of what looks we're both comfortable with, styling protocols, preparation, image use, copyright terms, etc. It's just best to iron all of that out first. But once all of that was over I wanted to just stare and listen to her for a few hours.

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SIRCUS magazine Issue 12 at www.sircusmagazine.com

The most incredible thing about Elizabeth aside from the obvious was the fact that she has one of the most incredible online portfolios of every model I'd seen in all of 2015. Each image seemed to have been carefully selected for maximum visual impact, quality, style and taste. Like we've always said, it only takes a handful of images to make your point and she made it. In less than a dozen images she told us, she prefers high quality over quantity. She was saying that she wants refined, polished and tasteful images. She was letting us know that she is confident and daring but sophisticated and  premium. She had set a benchmark. But even more-so, she told us that she is very very selective about who she works with and that's the kind of model we want to work with. Someone meticulously caring and mindful of their overall modeling reputation. That very fact, the way she looks, her professionalism and personality gave us all the ammunition we needed to take this collaboration. I left the meet-up very excited and uplifted about the possibilities. I recall thinking, this is gonna be good.

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SIRCUS magazine Issue 12 at www.sircusmagazine.com

It took a few starts and re-starts to get things rolling until finally our project day arrives. After many months I finally saw our talent again. Here she was, after so many long months of planning. I hope she didn't catch my slight lost of composure. She was stunning. I may have audibly gasped a bit. Even before makeup and hair styling I recall asking myself, "has she gotten even more beautiful?"

It was a several hours later that felt like minutes. You see, when things flow very well and you're getting the takes you want, you just don't seem to tire out. You're still excited. Our only regret is that it didn't seem like it was long enough. We wanted more; more looks, more images, more of Elizabeth. On the best days and best shoots, it always happens that way. If we just had her in front of the camera for just a couple more hours I thought. But such as it is, we all have other tasks to get done and we couldn't just adopt her and have her move in to be an on-call 24/7 model now could we? That would awesome and yet preposterous all the same.

In summary, it was a fantastic shoot and a great experience. It was easy, laid back, fun, stimulating. and most of all... productive. We can't say enough how important portfolios matter. Be objective and selective. Yet, personality matters. Talent matters. How you groom yourself and interact with the team all matters. Elizabeth easily goes down as one of our greatest models of 2015 because she is by far one of the most well-rounded models to date; the ultimate combination of beauty, class, talent and flawless execution. Thank you again Elizabeth for a fantastic 2015. 

2015's Greatest Models Part III with Chase "Whitehill" Rubeor

She was Sircus Magazine's most wildly distributed and popular Cover Model. She was the first double cover Issue Released model Sircus had ever had for a single Issue release. Additionally, she is 5'11" of absolutely perfection in every way.  Chase is the epitome of flawless. She is one of the most naturally born models we have ever run across.

A perfect set of events had to happen for our chance meeting. A prior model learned of a casting and told Chase about it. Chase in turn contacted us for a last minute meet up in the middle of nowhere to discuss her potential inclusion for publishing in a special swimwear magazine edition of Sircus Magazine. We were literally down to the wire on time and she literally squeaked in at the last possible second to make the shoot and publishing deadline. She literally drove through three cities in mid-day traffic on a weekend just to have a face to face and to discuss just the possibility of being chosen for a spot. I was already impressed by her dedication and commitment. When someone does that we're already likely to extend a great deal of trust in them and willing to put forth a lot of effort to make sure their included.

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It was a good thing she did. If looks were all that it took then she sealed the deal. The stylist was with me the day we'd met Chase for the first time and seconds after our meeting adjourned she was busy discussing ideas and the exact styling she had in mind for our newest prospective model. When the stylist is that excited about a model I knew at that exact moment magic was gonna happen.

Once the garments and accessories were chosen by the stylist, Chase's measurements were checked again, then confirmed and the stylist worked her magic. The day of the shoot came quickly after weeks of planning and styling. The very first image was absolutely amazing, and then the second and third and so on. The clothing was made to her it seemed; superbly fitted and styled marvelously accentuating her best and plentiful extraordinary beautiful features. Few times had we seen anyone so stunning and visually commanding. We were also all stunned by how effortlessly she moved from pose to pose; those subtle gestures that seemed so nuanced and yet so powerful when the image was captured. I call them transition poses or flowing gestures. She glided between them and she displayed some of the most dynamic posing we had witnessed. Tasteful, powerful, attention-grabbing and also beautiful, lithe and graceful. Chase has it all.

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In 2015 and more than 18 months later Chase visits us once more. All those subtle graceful poses and naturally ballet like transitions were still there. The stylist planned polished cowgirl-like denim wear look to a metro chic white on white silk romper with the accessories to match. It was stunning. Chase... like she always does, mastered every single look.

She is more than a perfect body and a flawless face. She is intuitive; sensing every change in my location and she anticipated angles of capture and followed my movements for the best light and composition. She is also highly imaginative and creative knowing when to engage the camera directly and when to look away casually and candidly. When we shot the denim she posed more casually without being told. When we went to urban chic looks she was more refined and yet dynamic. She sought interesting angles for the ideal body lines, shapes and shadows. By all intents and purposes, Chase is a perfect model.

Should anyone ask about what we're looking for in a model we simply say study Chase's posing. Study Chase's body language and facial expressiveness. But what Chase does that can't be taught is replying to a casting call in timely manner. What we can't teach you that Chase did on her own is willingness to drive across town to meet us in person to insure we shared common goals and objectives and to prove her commitment to the project. What can't be taught is letting us know with an email and a call that she has received our Call Sheet and that she has every expectation of being able to make and keep the shoot schedule. What can't be taught is making it to the shoot on time and not rushing thru it and allotting the appropriate amount of time to see the project through.  What we can't teach is respecting other artists time on the set and staying the course until the shoot is done. Very importantly, what we can't tell you to do is to periodically check in and let us know your availability and modeling status from time to time and if you're still interested in upcoming projects. All those things are just as important as being talented and gorgeous. It could be said, that those are the things that make you a professional and Chase has it all.

Like any great model, she is not overly demanding. She is not burdensome or needy. She always arrives on-time, prepared and ready for anything. She made our 2015 - and quite frankly our 2014 spectacular. 

2015's Greatest Models Part II with ShyAng3L

For all the reasons she was the 2013 Model of the Year and Cover Model of Sircus Magazine Issue 5, are the same things that make her one of 2015's Greatest Models. There are few people we have worked with as much as her. In fact, there may be no one we have worked with as often as ShyAng3L. But to be fair, we do tend to give preferential treatment to individuals that are extremely professional, talented, diverse and quite frankly have agreeable personalities.

It is her ability to shift from one visual persona to the next that makes her so intriguing a model. One shoot with her can often appear to an outsider to look like ten different shoots if we so choose. She fully engages what we're shooting on a emotional level. If we're doing dark and moody she will emote dark. If we're shooting light and fashionable, then she will emote light and fashionable. No one else changes as effortlessly as she can.

Yet, with all her abilities it is her stunning beauty that captivates us the most. But she doesn't flaunt it. She is not even fully aware of how insanely gorgeous she is and that makes her even more attractive than most people I know; people who actively model day in and day out. Additionally, she is the sweetest person I've ever met. Her voice is barely a whisper but when she models no words are needed. Her body, her posing, her skin, face, hair, her extraordinary and infinitely youthful look screams volumes.

Even after more than three years she can still be a little anxious at the start, (those first few seconds). But given just the right amount of coaxing, she swiftly goes right into character.  Despite her namesake, I don't necessarily feel that she is shy. She is simply gentler and kinder than most people we've worked with before. But if you need a bad ass harlot for a look or a fairy princess, ShyAng3L is definitely the model to have because not only can she do the look, she is the most creatively malleable person I've personally ever known. She can do both on the same shoot and within minutes of one another in a way that is both beautiful and convincing.

She is not going to push back and tell you something isn't possible. She will not argue with you and tell you she won't do it or try it. If it's stylish, tasteful and she trusts you, then she will do it and do it well. In fact, no model I've ever had with the exception of maybe Trexie Dorrell has successfully done and mastered as many genres as ShyAng3L. Fashion, beauty, cosplay, lingerie, art, creative and swimwear are just a few of the things we have done together over the years. We have done more themed shoots together than anyone and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.  She would bring me an idea or two and we would just do them - no questions asked on why or how. She was simply that kind of person and model. You want to do everything for her because you know she would excel in all that she does. As a result, we would always make extraordinary images. As of yet, those images still remain some of our best ever.

Unfortunately, we suspect that as time carries on our sessions will be fewer and farther between. It is simply the way of things as we scale back our operations to pursue different graphic design and video projects and she travels more as the demand for her talent continues to grow. Yet, as far as modeling and friendship goes, ShyAng3L can return again and again as much as she desires and we will always try to make time for her. Her talent, beauty, versatility and kindness has no equal. She remains and will likely always be one of our most revered collaborations.

2015's Greatest Models Part 1

It has been nearly 15 years since we began this process - never perfect but always perfecting and always striving to improve. As one might imagine we've come across more than a handful of talent from the vastly experienced to the person getting in front of the camera for the very first time. Even though we didn't officially publish her this year, she was this year's most popular model by every single measure.

Every blog, every image sharing site, every website and photo-stream where any picture of her appeared went viral. By every metric we could obtain she is the most talked about, most shared, most visited, messaged, emailed, tagged and liked model we've had for the entire year. We could simply post a picture of her and received essays about her beauty. We might share a photo from a recent shoot and get email server errors due to the inbox overflow. She is a phenomena a photographer can only experience to believe.

Kim Jonet
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We simply don't know anyone that doesn't love her. She is kind, patient, flirty, fun, intelligent and incredibly sexy. She has a natural kind of sultriness that can't be duplicated and it emanates from the sites, pages and blogs where she appears.

What impresses us the most is her preparedness, trust and humility. She is always ready. She brings what was agreed upon - sometimes more but never less. She is never boastful or demanding. She is gentle, soft spoken and incredibly humble. She doesn't pretend to know everything despite you knowing there are few things she doesn't know. She will ask you if she needs direction and yet she is confident without arrogance. She is without a doubt one of the most gifted individuals we've worked with over the entirety of our creative careers and most of that stems from a most agreeable personality and an intoxicating visage interlaced with malleable and endless talent.

When you're shooting she truly puts herself in your hands to do your craft. She relinquishes creative control so that you're not inhibited as an artist. In a very real sense, she is yours to command artistically and creatively. She will not argue, complain nor make unnecessary requests. She does not whimper, whine nor cry. She is 100% committed and confident in herself and to her love of modeling but she never takes advantage of people with her obvious enchanting wiles. It makes getting those challenging shots that much more fun and we always get the look we want with Kim.

You can't pay for that kind of trust with anyone else. But even so, you have to earn it; you have to nurture it over multiple photo shoots and collaborations. More importantly, you have to deliver with Kim. Make no mistake, she is there to work and you owe it to her to get it right and never leave her wanting. You'll want to buy her an island, cars, houses and pretty much whatever you can acquire to keep her happy and satiated. But all Kim wants is a great experience, your artistic respect and of course stunning images.

People never ask why we have Kim back again and again and again. They see it in the image. They see our comfort with one another and they can feel our sense of camaraderie. That feeling you feel when you see her, that distinct but fleeting gasp that escapes you when you stand in front of her is a real thing. She will always have a spot on my schedule without even asking for it. She is one of a few who can call at a moment's notice and get whatever it is she wants. For us, she is more than a model; she is a cherished friend and we wish her all the best for 2016. If we're as fortunate as we have been in the past then 2016 will belong almost entirely to her. In a nutshell it means that for 2016 if Kim wants me to shoot with her then she will have the highest priority. What do you say Kim?

The Best Photo Models

A colleague of mine (fresh to photography) practically begs me to reveal some secret to him about how to get the best models. I’ve said it again and again. You don’t. You focus on quality and style and the best models will find you or you will run into them. 

At one point I suppose I was like him in some ways. I desperately wanted to shoot a model named Amanda from Seattle at one time; a dark haired stunning beauty in the area. I didn’t think I could be a photographer without her in my port. Guess what? I realized in a very short time that it wasn’t about Amanda at all. It was about my own need at the time to create a crutch as to why I may or may not be flourishing. In literally days I came to realize if I focus on quality and style that there will be several Amandas to come along on their own.

In time, you work with who you were meant to. Several years later I still haven’t photographed Amanda and I don’t care. I’ve worked with in my opinion the best people in the region and if it I haven’t yet then it’s only a matter of time. The best people always find you and you will always find them. Just focus on your work. 

Photography and the Pitfalls of Emotional Attachment

You thoroughly enjoyed yourself. The photographer was a total joy to work with. You had so much fun. He made you feel confident, beautiful and quite frankly it was a total blast. This guy has an awesome sense of humor and he (or she) is so chill and laid back. But the main reason you enjoyed working with this photographer may or may not be the one the matters most. But that all depends on what you wanted from your experience.

From both sides of the camera, I believe we can safely admit that no matter who your are, creative synergy and getting along always makes for a better overall experience. Additionally, how well you vibe with people on set creates a more collaborative and open process thereby resulting in better results. But does it always? Can everyone say that just because they had so much fun on a set mean that the results are exactly what they wanted or needed? Or is it fair to say that their emotional experience tainted the perception of the results? 

I’ve seen cases where photo subjects so highly praise someone that I wonder if they truly took the time to actually compare the results of the project to what they might expect from someone else. I read phrases like, “she was so nice.” Or I hear ‘he is so cool and easy to work with.” Or the most recurring expression is “he(or she) is my favorite photographer.” Why is that I say to myself when I read those kinds of opinions? I can only conclude that the experience; the emotional element clouded the perception of the results in an industry where the results are paramount beyond all other considerations. I think the simplest way to express what I’m driving at is simply asking yourself, “do you want to have a good time? Do you want to get fantastic results? Or do you want both? But beyond all other considerations, can you be emotionally detached enough when it’s over to judge the results of the project completely and objectively. I think everyone would want both but that is not always what happens. I believe that runway models have the greatest temptations. They really like posting everything as a carryover for being caught up in the elation and overall experience of flashing lights, music and hundreds of eyes peering at their every single step. But it doesn’t mean that we have to see or need to see every single step of them in a picture with bad light walking on a stage from the beginning to the end of the show. We get it. You were in a show. You walked out, turned and went back. But the feeling of it and rush of it spills onto your Pages and your media. It’s okay. You love it and you’re good at it. Yet, it’s a perfect example of a slippery path into the boring and the mundaneness of senseless barely inspired repetitiveness and you wonder why you’re not fetching the shares, posts and likes you once garnered.  

I’ve had photo shoots when the experiences were not always stellar. Good, fair, average, weird, unusual, acceptable, incredible, magnificent, extraordinary, mind boggling awesome… we’ve have had them all. Then sometimes the talent isn’t as polished or experienced as I might have believed. The talent may be dismissive, condescending or just didn’t play well with others. Or a pet peeve of mine was flagrantly violated by an assistant or another creative on the set. Yet, despite those few and very far between bad ones, at some point I had to detach myself from my feelings and really judge the results of my efforts with this person or group of people. Why? Because in this image driven industry and culture, results are all that really matter and only the ideal manifestation of those labors should make it into a portfolio or page for public viewing. 

You just shouldn’t ever put a picture out there because you “Like” a photographer or other talent when a single image can be a career altering decision from a would-be project. You only put out what your emotionally detached mind decides can positively influence and advance the public’s perception of your range and talent as an artist. On the other side of the coin, you can’t always disallow yourself the option of releasing an image because you “Dislike” someone either if it will further your ambitions. I’ve become absolute best friends with someone from a single shoot but that doesn’t mean I let that friendship cloud my creative critical judgement. I show his or her best and in doing so hopefully show my best.

Fortunately for us, my best collaborations paid and unpaid have come from people I genuinely like for various reasons. Of course, I’ve had one or two bad apples; people you just don’t creatively mesh with or just a bad collaboration for whatever reason but it’s natural that some people don’t get along. But I still have to give it 100% because every single shot is my reputation. People have certain expectations and I must exceed them or at least live up to them. The image industry doesn’t get a free pass or a day off. Every shot needs to be on-point. Therefore, a stream of mediocre pictures just shouldn’t be shown just because I couldn’t decide if the image was great or that I think the model I worked with was great. It’s easy to confuse the two and both things do not fetch the same perceptions in the public’s eye.

Then the question comes up, how do you know if it’s not a great picture if you can’t judge your own state of objectivity? You ask someone who will be honest with you and not someone who will agree with you for sake of your feelings. Ask a colleague that will give you honest and constructive criticism. I could have been tempted to fall into the “Like” trap. I’ve liked models so much as friends that I may have wanted to release any and every picture because I thought SHE was fantastic. You catch that? “SHE” was fantastic. It’s the image, the output, the result of her that people will see. The public doesn’t see the process or the experience. They see the product. But as a designer my every single working day is spent giving and receiving critiques so I have learned to think objectively as a publisher and a marketing professional and not just as an artist. I place what is good for that model’s portfolio and my business identity and style above all else. When he or she gets premium bookings as a result of what I’ve done then it makes me feel like I’ve given them something more and something they can’t get anywhere else.

So when I may find myself photographically crushing on someone, I give myself some time and step into business mode and ask, would I want to hang this on my wall? Would I buy this or do I want to work with this model, videographer, makeup artist, stylist or photographer as a result of this picture? More importantly, would a pay a premium to work with anyone from the project that produced this art? 

It’s challenging to think this way but the hardest roads to travel have the best things at the end. Right before you hit “Post” or “Publish” on your social media Page, pause and think before you do it. Is it the best I can offer right now? Do I really “Like” this or am I caught up in the elation and excitement of it or gushing over the person that helped me to create it? Don’t let sentiment cloud judgement. 

 I still ask myself the aforementioned questions when I post something and I’m sure I’m not always right because art is still objective in large part. But I think it’s still smart to ask myself, “Is this really a fantastic image or was it just the experience of creating it or was it the model or stylist I created with that I find so fantastic?" Is it possible these things can both occur. Possibly. The point is not to mix up the two and continually create and publicize poor work due to an inability to emotionally detach. 

Now would you continuously work with someone who repeatedly produce amazing results with you but that person wasn’t all that agreeable? More to the point, do you think you would even give the images a second look and find any of them gorgeous? That’s an interesting question but you’ll have to decide for yourself. I guess when you think about it modeling and photography isn’t all that different than any other gig when an actual career is at play. You will have people that you like, people you love and people you just don’t ever want to see again along the way. If you’re running a day to day business you learn to work with the good and the bad and try to consistently release good products and services that will grow your customer base whether you choose to do it for fun or not. Your favorite customers aren’t always the most profitable customers. In fact, most cost you money. Yet, the most needy, most pain staking solid spenders are often the most profitable. The bottom line is when it comes to business and in life, it’s best to put your best foot forward in work, fun and play. Avoid the embarrassment of saying that a "photographer is so awesome" if his work is not up to par. Avoid writing things like he is so "easy to shoot with" and the you put up dozens of strange automaton-looking images because you “like” him as a person and have not objectively critiqued what might be the fall of your once premium visage. You can keep a friendship without the bad publicity but you can’t get your reputation back that easy. 

If you’re just funning and enjoying yourself, then there is something to be said of pure unleashed elation and not really caring what anyone says. That has it’s place to. Just be mindful that it’s importantly to keep some objection perspective on what you’re doing and what you’re publicizing thru the rose tinted eye-ware you may be peering through. 

Challenge Your Expectations

We love challenging expectations. I believe it's one of the things that makes us unique amid a sea of other visual artists. So often are people told what they can't do. Societal norms often runs contrary to what a person wants to do and the way they want to look. This is why often times when we photograph someone it's in a different direction and done in a different way than anything they've ever done before. 

When we look at a prospective model's port, we look at not so much of what has been done but mainly what a model or client hasn't done and why. Then we show that person what they're really capable of when those self imposed and societal limiters are removed. That's why we believe that when you go thru a port post-Helios it's easy to identify what's one of ours. It will stand out in style, in genre, in lighting and overall mood. If we're lucky the model or client will be empowered beyond belief and they will never accept being told what they can't do or shouldn't do. 

For years we've heard gorgeous fearful people say that they're too old now when all evidence suggest that they want to try. We've heard women say they're too wide or too slim or that they're not photogenic. We've heard men say they're not tall enough. We often heard I don't do lingerie or swimwear because they're too trashy or too vulgar. More often than not they'd convinced themselves it wasn't appropriate because they were fearful or they're husband or wife was afraid. They had convinced themselves that they didn't look like everyone else in these magazines. They'd never had someone take the time and accent their strengths rather than focus on their stereotypical and alleged weaknesses. Then with a careful eye we show them what they can do. We perfect just the right look, style and pose and make what they thought we flaws beautiful alluring attributes. Then they realize that the next day kids still go to school, the sky is still there, the Sun did not fling itself from the sky and that the world keeps spinning as it always has. They are the only thing that has changed. They're more confident, empowered, strong and as relevant as they have always been and they walk away feeling powerful and when they see themselves for the first time in this new way, it's thru tears, gleeful gasps and often times around family and friends. When the best friend says, I want to do this or I wish I was brave enough to try this. That once shy, once afraid new model or client of Helios replies, "you can if you trust the right person and believe in yourself."

Thru style, taste, quality, appropriateness and imagination, anything is achievable.