Photo Project: Gender Relationships
September 24th, 2007,I’m working on a new photography project. I’ve just started working out the details, but wanted to feel out people for interest before committing a lot of work on it.
I’m looking for (Chicago-local) couples, or other pairs of people. Ideally, I’d like to find 2 men and 2 women to work with on a semi-regular basis for the next 10-12 weeks. The idea is to reproduce essentially the same image four times:
Guy/Girl
Girl/Guy
Guy/Guy
Girl/Girl
These would be non-sexual, non-nude, but potentially intimate-seeming situations. Examples: Washing dishes, cuddling while watching a movie, etc.
I am a professional photographer, and would reward participants with a family portrait session, including one print large enough to be suitable for hanging (16×20) for free, or larger for cost of materials.
Please contact me if you are interested, either through my online form, or with my email address if you know it. Please specify your gender when you respond. A link to a recent photograph of you would be helpful, but not necessary.
Here are some answers to questions that were asked in response to my initial feeler:
1) Can I get any more details about the project?
Right now, there aren’t really any additional details that I can think of, aside from those answered below. My current priority is to make sure I have enough subjects to make this a viable project. It is very difficult to arrange the schedules of five working adults, especially if I need to pair my subjects as 2 male + 2 female. I estimate that I need at least 5 of each gender in order to reliably shoot at least once a week.
2) Can I get a CD of all the shots I am in?
No. I am only willing to release the best images, after I have made them to the best of my ability. Because I shoot in RAW, work needs to be done on every final photo, so they are not finished photos at the end of the shoot. A useful metaphor to consider: would a painter give you unfinished paintings?
You will probably get copies of any completed works which include you. I’m also offering a free 1-hour portrait session, and a large, high quality print as compensation for your time - which I normally charge $400 for.
If there is an image you like which is not among the ones I use for the project, you may order finished prints of these from me. Pricing will be based on image size, $50 for a high-resolution file and 5×7 or 8×10 print.
There will be many factors which go into image selection, as I’m striving to duplicate the mood and tone of a particular image four times with different people.
3) I am not a part of a couple. Is this a problem?
While couples make it easier to schedule time, they are not a requirement. What I need is 2 guys and 2 girls for each shoot, who are comfortable acting (emotionally) intimate with each other.
If you know someone who would be interested who is not part of a pair, then please feel free to forward my initial email to them.
4) I cannot commit to a weekly shoot, or cannot commit to any particular day regularly. Is this a problem?
No. I need to shoot four people at a time with a particular gender makeup, I do not need to shoot a particular person every week. I do need a minimum commitment of some sort, let’s say at least three shoots between now and early December.
As a freelance photographer, my schedule is somewhat open, and I can schedule shoots both during the day and at night. I have standing obligations all day Wednesday, and Saturdays until 2pm. Once I have collected all the email addresses, I will send out a general request for a rough idea of your schedules.