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By the time I graduated
high school, my interests in photography had fallen to the wayside. I
was now working, and didn't have much time for photography. It wasn't
until my mid 20s that I started thinking about
picking up the camera again, at the request of a female friend who
wanted to get into modeling. Funny thing at this point in my life I was
more interested in playing the guitar, not taking pictures, but as a
favor to her, I took some shots of her.
For a first time try at indoor studio style shots, they weren't bad,
they weren't great either. I used some Par Can Band lights to light
her, some 400 speed film, and an old camera...no flash. I had no clue
about color temperature at that time, so the results were a bit orange,
but she liked them, that's all that mattered to me.
She showed them to her
friends, and then they wanted to shoot with me, and you can take it
from there. Next thing you know I had a new Canon T-50 SLR, and I was
now shooting models. Everytime I shot I learned something new, and of
course the pics got better and better.
I started running ads in the local paper, offering to get models into
the business, I also offered to represent them, as I had some
background in the booking business as a musician, I had a few
connections here and there, and the phone rang, and rang. This time I
transformed my parent's basement into a full fledged studio. Not quite
a dream studio, very hap hazard but it worked at the time.
It was off of my first
newspaper ad that I met someone who really changed the way I looked at
this business. All I can say is that, in the long run, she probably
helped me, more than I could have ever helped her. This lady hooked me
up with the local chapter of APA (Advertising Photographers of
America), which was at that time, APM (Advertising Photographers of
Milwaukee) in Milwaukee. That affiliation, helped me connect with the
local film office, as well as the International Modeling and Talent
Association, and I can't remember how many other opprotunities came my
way, because of that simple suggestion to get involved with APM.
She made many other suggestions to me also. I always admired her spirit
because all the hometown agencies wouldn't give her the time of
day...said she was to exotic for them...so she made her career on her
own, with pretty much no agency help from Milwaukee, or Wisconsin. I
was able to hook her up with a few small fashion shows, and the local
Hawiann Tropic Pageant, but that can't compare with how much she taught
me about both the photography and modeling business. Who is this lady?
Sazzy Lee Varga...Thanks for believing in me Sazzy!
SAZZY LEE VARGA
Model/Friend
As you read this you'll
find that many steps of my photography experience were helped along by
special people who entered my life. I will always be grateful to all
these people.
So, on went my
photography business, learning with every shoot, and meeting many
wonderful models along the way. I began what has now become a 7 year
experience with the Hawiann Tropic Pageant. I've shot the local
calender and pageant, and have become a regular judge at the state
contest every year.
Through this contest, I've met local business people, entertainers,
politicians, and a Playboy Photographer. Which leads me to the next
step of my voyage in this business.
I had taken photographs
of a model who really wanted to get into Playboy. She had an idea, that
the magazine might like, and I discussed the idea with the Playboy
photographer I had become to know. He said if I shot it, I should give
the photos to him and he would get it in the right hands. I passed this
along to the model. Through all this time I was still using the old Par
lights, and camera mounted flash for my shoots. The model had asked
what I needed to shoot her "layout" idea, and I told her I needed a
better camera and studio flashes. She said I have taken the best photos
of her that she has ever seen, and she want's me to have the right
equipment, to do the Playboy thing. So, she gave me the money to buy
brand new equipment, several thousand dollars worth. The funny part of
the story is, we never had a photo session since then, and I have never
had the chance to pay her back....Wherever you are Sabre'....Thank You!
So, now I have 2500 watts of
studio flash, 2 professional cameras, a 1400 square foot studio in
downtown Milwaukee, and my photography services move to a new level. A
couple local businesses use my photos in their advertisements, I'm
shooting more portfloios and composites then ever, and everyday a new
model of mine finds a little niche of success in the modeling industry.
Everytime a model of mine uses my photos and get's the job it gives me
a happy feeling inside that I contributed in some way to their success.
As I move into 2005 my photography business is much further along. With
the help of a venture capitalist, I have been able to remodel my studio
space, and become part of the Prestige Entertainment Corporation. The
Corporation is the owner of The Images Agency, which is a State
Registered Model Employment Agency. This gives me the ability to move
my models directly into a legitimate modeling agency, as soon as I
finish their portfolios. This gives them many more chances to have a
successful modeling career.
It's been a long bumpy
journey to get to where I am, and there is still a long way to go. I
welcome any model that would like to have me take her picture, and
become a part of that journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me.
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