You have quite a large portfolio, how many models have you worked with and how do you find your models?

I have worked with close to 200 models, I have a fair amount of unpublished content I’m sitting on. It would be unfair to hit you with these women all at once. I cast a pretty wide net.

I do most of my casting though model mayhem where I browse not just my local area, but the entire country, ... and other countries.

I’m planning a world tour in another year or two. I post casting calls and keep my eyes on the availability notices.

I have found a number of models via craigslist or by posting ads on college campuses. I also keep business cards to hand out.

I think that one of my best skills as a model photographer is my eye for talent. I love to discover new talent! I also love pro models who I admire and learn from.

Where are you from?

I was born in Alaska but we moved when I was three. We moved quite a bit when I was young and now it’s in my blood.

I’m a real nomad which sometimes is a struggle but as a photographer it gives me some advantages. I have one of the more diverse portfolios out there and I love to explore and live to travel.

I just got back from my Cali tour where I shot with 9 models. The trip was superimposed over a three state move (CA and OR to WA), but I had to come to the bay anyway so I decided to go a little bit further down to L.A., which is of course the mecca for models

How did your Cali tour go?

I don’t think I ever went so hard in my life. I ran out of money like 11 times and didn’t initially save any for the way back. I knew I would get paid again eventually... and would prolong the trip if necessary. Except for a couple nights at the Hilton early on... I slept in my van and bathed in the ocean to make it happen.

I was literally metal detecting for gas money South of Malibu at one point (I recently bought an Equinox 800). I was down to $2.66 and a gallon and a half of water. The next day, I made two $500 sales out of nowhere and I was back in business!

That’s kind of how I roll. I may live like a bum sometimes...but I’m not cheap. I spent about $3-4k producing this new series.

Do you shoot full time? What did you used to do for a living?

I went pro at the end of 2018. I have been shooting models since 2009 but I’ve had dozens of jobs in that time, mostly restaurants. I was a bartender in my previous incarnation. I’ve probably had 100 jobs in my life.

The last one was at Tesla, working on the Model 3 production line. They fired me the day before X-Mas Eve... but that same day... I broke my long standing goal of $2k in a month from photography.

Back in the restaurant days, I used to say I would quit and go full time if I could just get to $2k. I took it as an omen and haven’t looked back since.

What were your Cali models like?

It would be hard to describe so much beauty in a single paragraph. These women are utterly gorgeous; any one of them could fuck you up bad.

These are the women who launch ships, the ones who break your heart...the ones who can’t be caught.

Perhaps that is what is so compelling; their freedom and daring. These girls aren’t 10s, they are 100s.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by all kinds of art and artists. I find high art in some pornography, I think a lot of music videos are genius, comedians, musicians, storytellers, painters, writers. Creative types are my favorite.

As for other photographers... When I first discovered Model Mayhem back in 2009, I was blown away by all the incredible art there and knew immediately I wanted to be a part of it...immediately. Some of the first photographers I discovered there were T.H. Taylor, Philip’e, Alvarado, Mickle Design Werks, Dastardly Dave, I loved the Lithium Picnic port.

What is your objective? Your dream?

My dream is to raise $100k to shoot the pilot for my planned masterwork ‘The Island of Lost Flowers’.

I figure I need half that to pay my models (there will be a lot of them ) and half for a small production crew, equipment, expenses, etc.).

I already have a script for the opening scene and I just went out to Santa Cruz island with one of my models to scout the location ;)

How do you use BentBox?

Bentbox is my main source of revenue. I have four stores here and co-publish with several models. I love the revenue sharing tool!

To me Bentbox is the first (and only) real marketplace for art and erotic nude photography. I appreciate the site design and personal attention.

What are you waiting for? Open a store today, it takes like 10 minutes! Free consulting/promotion if you use my referral code: referralCode=Y4AlYA

What do you think of social media platforms?

Social media is starting to feel more evil than necessary. I took myself off of Facebook in 2017 and I literally just got kicked off of Twitter (good riddance).

I’m still on the fence about Instagram. Obviously, Instagram has become such a huge thing these days in our industry, but the data mining and the spying... I’m pretty much over that.

A lot of people chasing clout these days... some people don’t even look at your work anymore... just how many followers you have. Influencer culture can become a bit vapid and pretty insipid.

On my next big adventure, I’m actually planning on leaving my phone and laptop behind.

What else do you like doing?

I’m a collector (all kinds of stuff), love to garden, recently got into metal detecting. I love to dip my toes in a million things I’ll never have time to actually learn fully.

I have been getting pretty into ancient history and philosophy lately. I’m a writer as well. I like sports, I’m a huge Lakers fan.

Do you have any advice for newbies?

If you think you might want to be a photographer, then you probably already are one. I’d say, spend as much as you can afford on a good mirrorless camera and shoot shoot shoot.

My teacher in college used to say, ‘the more pictures you take, the more good ones you’ll get’. Don’t forget to save some of that money for your models too... and don’t be cheap when it comes to rates.

Lastly, some people in our industry love to talk shit about “GWCs” (guys with cameras)... don’t worry about being a ‘GWC’. Worry about being an asshole instead.

If you can behave like a professional, treat your models with respect and take pride in your work, you’ll do great! Go for it!

You mentioned your next big adventure... what’s that?

For the last few years, I’ve been preparing to walk across the country. I’m planning on taking U.S. Route 20 - from Newport, OR to Boston, MA. 3300+ miles!

My two rules:

1. No Rides

2. No Cellphones

I’ll be bringing my camera(s) and setting up shoots along the way. I’ll be doing some other photography as well; landscapes, wildlife... and clearing my head a bit. It’s the major plot device of my second book ‘The Track’.