Please note that all models, regardless of compensation, will be required to sign a model release. For shoots involving nudity (implied or actual), the model will need to show proof of age (e.g., a driver’s license) and have their photo taken while holding the ID along with the signed model release. Model releases for personal projects are not signed until the end of the session to ensure the model is comfortable with the shoot.

W-9 forms are required for all paid shoots totaling $600 or more for the calendar year, and for TFP shoots in which printed photos are provided. No W-9 is required for non-paid shoots and TFP with digital images only. Talent who receives $600 or more in a calendar year will receive a 1099.

My studio is located in Medina County, Ohio, on a decent amount of property suitable for outdoor shoots, depending on the weather and vision. The studio itself is located inside a converted garage and has a separate changing area. It is a work in progress, but it has heat and air conditioning. We have 11 rescue cats, and while they are not allowed in the studio, they are allowed in the restroom area. If you are allergic to cats, please let me know.

When working with me, I have the following standing rules.

1. Escorts are always welcome and encouraged.
2. I do not touch models (or their belongings) unless they are falling, have received explicit permission to assist with hair, outfit, prop, or pose adjustment, or have received permission to help carry items to and from their vehicle.
3. Models have the right to veto any suggested pose or concept.
4. Models may review images and delete those that accidentally show content outside of the agreed-upon shoot limits.
5. I encourage suggestions, ideas, and feedback, making the session an interactive process instead of a dictatorship. (The exception to this is when I am teaching a class.)

On October 1, 2025, I earned the Photographic Craftsman Degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This degree recognizes photographers who have demonstrated excellence through teaching, writing, and elevating the profession. I’ve always believed that the best way to master a subject is to teach it, and this degree reflects that philosophy.

I’m also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), originally certified in July 2022 and renewed in July 2025. CPP certification requires passing a comprehensive written exam covering exposure, lighting, composition, camera science, and more—along with a rigorous technical image review. To stay certified, CPPs must complete ongoing education to ensure their skills continue to meet PPA’s professional standards.

Credentials are valuable—but what do they mean for you?

A helpful comparison is cooking. Anyone can make a meal, but not everyone can create a dish worth going somewhere for. A skilled chef brings technique, creativity, and consistency together to create something memorable. Photography is the same. Anyone can snap a picture, but creating an image that expresses emotion, confidence, and connection requires experience, technical control, and an understanding of how people want to be seen.

These qualifications don’t make me “better” than the many talented photographers without degrees or certification—but they do give you an easy way to identify someone who has invested in mastering both the craft and the client experience.

And that brings us to why I photograph people.

We live in a world where advertising and social media distort our self-image. They amplify flaws, minimize individuality, and convince us to compare ourselves to impossible standards. Most people rarely—if ever—see themselves the way others truly see them.

My goal is to change that.

For models contacting me regarding a paid shoot, please include your rates, limits, and any standard release restrictions in your initial email. This will save us both time, as I don't want to set an expectation only to find out that the rate or restrictions desired prohibit doing a shoot.

I am looking primarily for female models for bodyscapes, dance, fine art nudes, fashion, and portraiture. I welcome all body types, ages (18+ and legally able to sign a model release), and ethnicities. What is most important to me is the desire to model and a willingness to work with others.

Tags

See All Tags (11)