Hello!

I am an award-winning photographer and author who --up til the challenges created by the pandemic (I am high risk) -- specialized in headshots and ports for models, actors, dancers, and pageant contestants.

Covid shut-downs resulted in my decision to rethink my entire career so the plan now is to lean into teaching photography online and publishing a series of how-to books for photographers. I took a long hiatus during the pandemic to transition into shooting more non-people stuff so that -- should something like Covid happen again -- I am able to work from home and make a living writing, shooting stock, nature, and fine-art images until it makes sense to photograph people again.

I will be auditioning dancers and models to help illustrate upcoming book projects in April 2023. I won't have much of a budget to start, so I am looking for models and dancers who need portfolio work and are willing to do a trade of services (the value of my time for the value of the models time with payment being final, retouched digital images for your portfolio) -- but I would consider modeling fees for experienced models with the right look.

I do require all models sign a release (no worries; my release is simple -- the same one I've used for my entire career -- a simple paragraph allowing both of us to use the images professionally as long as what we are doing isn't immoral or illegal and, 2) I retain all commercial rights (meaning you cannot sell or alter my work without express written permission). I don't shoot anything for anyone without having a release on file as I publish how-to material, write articles for the industry, etc. and create fine-art pieces and I need to know that I am free to promote my work without chasing folks down after the fact. My modeling/talent clients (and their agents) like it that I don't require fees or permission to showcase their images in articles, promotional materials, etc. In 30+ years, I've only had 2 people question the release. I kindly referred them to another photographer. The work we do together to help illustrate my books and teaching materials will also have value as portfolio pieces ( have published with large and smaller publishing houses and have self-published as well).

I also need to find a good muah to do make-up and hair for me at my studio in Otter Lake, MI. I will need someone for the shoots for me (for book/class illustrations) as well as for client work. If you are doing hair and make-up for client (paid) sessions -- the client would pay the muah fee. If you are coming in to shoot for me, I will cover any muah fees. Willing to work with someone just starting out if they have an awesome (fun) personality and can do basic, clean make-up and hair (with an interest in developing their craft to a point where they can charge well for their services for/with me or other photographers. When working on my personal projects, would be willing to negotiate a trade of services or a partial fee, trade of services in exchange for digital, retouched finals for your portfolio.
Experienced muahs: Contact me with prices/samples.

Contact me for more info about the upcoming auditions. I have a series of classes and books to shoot for so feel free to contact me anytime to send samples of your work and/or to request info on the projects I'm working on, etc.

Looking forward to meeting and working with those of you who turn out to be a good fit for one of my projects.

After being shut down for so long, I am really excited to lean into what I hope will be a wonderful new adventure in what has been an amazing career.

Have a good one!

Deb O.

PS The website doesn't officially launch til April, but you can visit while I'm populating it with content and testing links, etc. You can contact me on the 'work with me' page if you're interested in modeling or doing hair/make-up for upcoming shoots. Looking forward to it!

Hmmm...I'm bad about keeping up with this but here goes:

Off the top of my head:

* 2010 won top 10 out of thousands of images for PPofA's cover contest with a model beauty headshot that also placed 2nd in an International Modeling/Talent convention's covergirl headshot comp in between two Montreal Elle Magazine photographer's entries (nice place to sandwich in if you can't win first place, eh?)

* Images for teen client a while back place in top 10% out of over 26, 000 Teen Magazine Contest entries (generated quite a bit of press for her in the Detroit market as well).

* Images consistently do well in helping models and actors find placement with reputable agents and managers in the Detroit and major markets around the world. See my website for a wonderful testimonial from a Detroit agent who places models all over the world.

* Have won hundreds of photogenic awards, published author/writer, have done some work for local boutiques and publications (former photojournalist for Ann Arbor News and LA View).

Hoping to do more commercial work.


Looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes me next.


Best wishes to all with your own careers.

Have a good one!

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