markvelasquez

New posts at the $25 Level

The $25 level is where I'm putting my more personal and favorite stories and photos, the more intimate and erotic-themed work that I've been amassing for years but have been too reluctant to share until now. I just updated it with some great images and remembrances, 2016-04-23 17:07:20 +0000 UTC View Post

"No Ideas.."

"What do you want to shoot today?" I asked her innocently. 

"I dunno, something fun and dirty, but not showing anything."

"Okay, let's go for a drive."

Soon we were at my family's burger restaurant which was thankfully closed on Sundays, we went into the bathroom, locked the door behind us, and told her to...

"Just Friends."

I had a stripper friend in 2006 who wanted me to take some photos of her with a guy, so she brought by a friend of hers to pose with. "We're just friends," she repeated to me over and over again, which seemed more for his benefit than mine, then cruelly had him strip to his boxers and began to take her top off, grinding on him, ...

Back Seat, 2/2

She had lots of tattoos, which I tried to creatively cover up just enough while still being able to show as much skin as possible. She was open and trusting and we took a brief series of these before the security guards started coming by. I'd talk to them and diffuse the situation while she cowered in the backseat, legs squeezed...

Back Seat, 1/2

She was a fun, Rockabilly woman I met at a bar back in 2007. I had only started drinking recently, which was shocking to everyone since I was already in my late 20s. Still, we hit it off and she had an artistic, open mind. We talked a lot about Renaissance painters and our mutual love of The Cure, and a week later we were parked...

Abandoned House

There was a dilapidated, abandoned house on the outskirts of town that I'd driven by my whole life, but it wasn't until I met and started working with Katie in 2008 that I was brave enough to venture in. The place looked as though it were occupied until the 1940s or 50s judging from the wall paper and fixtures, but the roof was ...

Abstraction

This was taken in 2006 or 07, I can't really recall exactly. Hope was a fun, very open woman who lived a wild, almost reckless life, but strived for stability in any way she could. She liked the idea of turning the body into abstract shapes and we took this in my brother's new backyard when no one was home.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.12

And I'm ending on this shot, showing the reality of working with all models in 2016: The use of Snapchat. Personally, I'm not a fan of every 12 year old using it to document literally every moment of their day,  but it definitely has it's place for models who are promoting themselves. Here she is uploading a video she's jus...

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.12

This was the very first Narcissus shot we took. I loved it at first, but then we continued to create better and more complex versions that I enjoyed more. Still, I believe this one is worth sharing. What do you think?

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.11

Here's one last eye-contact shot for your enjoyment. Isn't she priceless?

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.10

Towards the end of the shoot, I continued to capture her in more abstract ways, using the mirror's reflection to contort her body into simple shapes and forms.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.9

This shot reminds me of the Thomas Dolby lyric "She's poetry in motion."

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.8

The symmetry and softness of these images conveyed a mood that seemed layered and made me feel a rare sense of pride in what we had accomplished, especially with no idea and no budget, as usual.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.7

She made it all feel and look so natural, so effortless. Even though we have shot many times in many different locations, I never know what Kat is going to convey, but I always know it is going to be worth capturing.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.6

Next we used her large mirror and she immediately took on the role of the ancient Greek mythological figure Narcissus. I didn't have to tell her anything, she knew exactly how the myth went and how to play it. I shouldn't have been surprised, but once again I was astonished at her natural ease and comfort in any role or directio...

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.5

This might be my favorite image from this whole set. Focused, intent, personal, vulnerable. She conveys so much through her eyes, and whether it's real or she's relying on her talents as an actress, she feeling she emotes can easily touch your soul and change the direction of your week.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.4

There are times I marvel at the mystery of happenstance in life. How a random message via social media from someone hundreds of miles away can result in a connection that furthers both of your careers... Kat has helped me and encouraged me just as much as I have, and even though we've only known each other less than a year, we b...

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.3

"Make sure to get my booty in there!" she exclaimed, followed by her large, infectious laugh. I always have a good time with Kat; she makes a photo shoot never feel like work.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.2

Kat can appear so delicate at times, and though she often take a lot of commercial or standard "hot girl" type images with other photographers, I wanted to capture her softer side in this series. Wearing little more than a lace vest I acquired along my travels, I think we did a good job presenting the most sensitive side of her.

Reflecting in Bed with Kat David, Pt.1

I turned Kat David's Los Angeles bedroom into a Bedouin tent last month to create these beautiful, delicate images of her. We also experimented with her large mirror, which resulted in some wonderful and unexpectedly beautiful images.

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