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"Kaz" | FOCUS | February 09
Born in Brooklyn NY, "Kaz" didn’t start photography until he was 28 years old. His artistic roots began at age 13 when he used to DJ for night clubs in the NYC area, and now he's one of the most popular professional glamor and fashion photographers in the Maryland!
His work has been exhibited at The Washington Gallery of Photography, and The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD.
Dystopia Magazine: Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Kaz of Kazmere Photography, and I’m an “everything photographer” since I shoot a wide range of stuff. But for Kazmere Photography I’m strictly an eye-candy and fashion photographer.
How did you get into photography?
Got into photography by accident, I needed images for my DJ website and I started taking images for my website, then brides wanted the images for themselves.
Are you a self taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?
I’m kind of both, I taught myself photography for the first 2 years I started, then I started going to the Washington School of Photography (I’ll graduate head of my class this year in May) I also had the honor of getting a lot of advice from Bill King who is an international fashion photographer from New York.
Do you have a favorite ‘Walk Around’ lens, if so, what is it?
The 24-105/4L IS USM RULES ALL!!! It’s a nice average range lens that’s not too heavy, and is small to carry around without being a nuisance like the 70-200/2.8L IS USM bazookaJ
Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
The six inches between your ears…Anyone can take a picture, it’s another ballgame altogether to create an image, it’s a lot of factors involved.
What sort of equipment and software do you use?
For equipment the camera gear I use all Canon camera bodies, lenses, and flashes and he studio is powered mostly by Travelite heads from Calumet. For software it’s the standard Photoshop CS3, Intuos 3 Graphics Tablet, and Ligthroom 2
Would you give a brief walk through of your work flow?
Preparing for the shot, creating the image, downloading and doing basic alterations to the image into Lightroom 2, backing up the images to an external RAID system, bring the image into Photoshop CS3 for deeper alterations or layer manipulation if necessary. Then for crazy stuff I’ll take out the graphics tablet. My work flow really all depends on what I’m shooting, if its events or something, 99% of the time the image won’t even get past Lightroom.
What is your favorite photographic community? Where do you find the most support, exposure and influence?
I would probably say ModelMayhem. com…Yeah there’s a few nut jobs over there, but overall it’s a friendly community of photographers, models, MUA’s, hairstylists, etc. There’s a lot of influence over there and some really great photographers with a ton of skill more than me and some great models to work with. Most of the models in my portfolio have a profile on MM.
What's your favorite genre of photography (glamor, landscapes, abstract)?
At first I would say eye candy/glamor, but after a while you can only see so many butts and boobies! I’m kind a leaning a little bit more to fashion for right now, but I will always love eye-candy, especially if the model is right for that type of modeling.
Was there a defining moment when you knew that it was time to take pictures professionally or was it a gradual transition?
Well I was DJ for over 15 years, I started when was 13 and I learned a lot of business sense during that time. The second time a bride offered me money for images I was creating while Dj-ing their wedding, I knew it was time to stop Dj-ing and to become a full-time professional photographer. What really surprises me is that being a DJ and a photographer aren’t that much different at all, so it was easy transition but it took over a year since I had DJ contracts I still had to fulfill over the next year.
How do you know when a photo is really good?
For me with eye-candy images it depends if the image is captivating, and has sex appeal, and a good percentage of that is going to depend on the model. But I try to make sure I find the image good enough to put out there, and since “art” is so subjective me or no other photographer can please everybody so I don’t try to. If it’s a paid shoot, if the client is satisfied then I’m pleased. If it’s a testing session with a model, if were both pleased with the results that works for me.
How do you decide on locations & subjects?
I have a ton of locations bouncing in my head, but I want models with a specific look for each location since each location provokes a different mood. For subjects I look for models that I believe can bring my portfolio to the next level. I get a ton of requests from models but I’m very selective on who I decide to test with. I like shooting a lot of statues and architecture also, and in the DMV area there is a ton of that around to shoot.
Where's your favorite location for a photo shoot?
Malcolm X Park in Washington DC…It’s a little gem in DC that has waterfalls, great masonry, and architecture. With the right models I could do some damage in there..
In general, during a session, how many pics would you say you take to find "the right one"?
Honestly that depends on the model I’m shooting, if we have the right chemistry going, we can nail shot and look in a few frames. For example anytime I shoot Heather Shanholtz or Rachel Milburn, every other shot is good enough to put out there on the web, they’re just that damn good. With other models that may not have as much experience it may take over 100 frames with one look (oufit) to get “the shot”.
What's been your biggest shoot?
My biggest shoot was my first shoot, I overbooked the hell out of it… I had about 20 male and females show up to a casting call I put out, and it was a little crazy and unorganized. But there was some nice results and it was 8 long hours of fun..
Where is the most spectacular place you’ve ever been, or your favorite shoot that nailed the moment: “this is what I love doing” best?
El Yungue National Forest in Puerto Rico, very breathtaking place especially on the top of Yokahu Tower where you can see most of the rain forest.
What's your "dream" shoot (and who’s in it)?
Jessica Alba in Sin City wardrobe on the stripper pole…If you could only see how fast my brain worked when you asked that question!
(Laughs)At what point did you feel that you evolved from a person who takes photos, to a photographer and artist?
I would have to say about six months ago I really started feeling completely comfortable in my skills to shoot anything and anybody effectively.
Do you have any plans to make your collections available for the public to download and use as wallpapers?
I have a few models in mind that I’m going to talk to about doing exactly what your asking in the very near future.
What is your opinion on post-processing, especially enhancing pictures?
Post processing or better yet “Photoshopping” images is an art in itself. Now there are some old school die hard film photographers that don’t like the whole digital and Photoshop thing. But Photoshopping images has been going on since the beginning of photography. Any photographer that “alters” there image after the image is taken is in a sense “Photoshopping” a film photographer can dodge and burn in a darkroom, and do other little tricks. Obviously it’s not as intense as the new digital light room, but the new technology has taken post-processing to another different level. You have graphic artists and “Photoshop wizards” now who create some surreal crazy works of art ranging from WWII concepts to video game concepts all from an image of a model on a plain background.
Great point! Have you ever found yourself in a "photo funk," and, if so, how do you get out of it?
Only experienced that once or twice, and the best way for me to get outta the funk is to shoot something different.
As an artist do you find yourself drifting away from one form of media to another, or do you devote your creative forces to the media at hand? Or, even more confusingly, do you try to divide up your time more equally?
Yes, like know I’m drifting from eye-candy to more high fashion stuff, but I still devote my creativity to the job at hand. In one day I may shoot an eye-candy segment in the morning, do a afternoon wedding, and a family portrait for an executive in the evening all in the same day. I don’t divide my time equally with my photography, I just do what the job requires if I’m working, and when I’m not I just shoot what I feel like shooting.
Is photography your escape from any stresses, or is it a way of harnessing your emotions and expressing your “mind’s eye”?
I would say both..
What photo collection have you done identifies itself as a visual diary for you?
I would have to say the images on my Myspace profile is my best reference to me as to where I’m at in glamour/fashion photography, and serves as a reference to me as to where I want to go.
Do you have additional creative outlets? Have they affected each other?
I had Djing as a creative outlet before, but I’ve become so busy with photography there’s no way I could handle both now if I wanted to.
Which of your talents is most important to you? Which do you get the greatest satisfaction from?
Being technically precise with my images, I can’t stand a technically poor image. I would say post-production I don’t try to go to overboard with it, but I get a lot of satisfaction outta the finished product.
Is there an event or project you’re working on that you’d like to promote right now?
I always wanted to do a calendar, and it seems I never have enough time to do one, so I’m already looking for models for a 2010 calendar. The year “2010” sounds all futuristic and stuff, so I’m going to stick to that theme. Futuristic, Sexy, and Fashionable.
What other projects do you have on your plate?
My next major project will be covering the 09’ Cleveland Fashion Show this spring.
What would you say to other enthusiast photographers out there who aspire to become a professional like you?
Keep shooting, then shoot some more, and when you think you’re the shit, go out and shoot some damn more!… Being classified as a professional photographer usually gets graded along with skill, but it’s more than that. Professionalism also relates with how you work and treat your models and staff, your peers, etc. Being a professional photographer it’s about taking your craft seriously, theirs is NO LEARNING CAP with photography, there’s always something new to learn, especially in post-production.
There is a ton of crap out there and some good stuff out there. Unfortunately the crap outweighs the good stuff 8 to 1, but that’s just my opinion.. Find a few photographers work that you like and strive to get on their level, don’t copy there style, develop your own style just get your work to their level first.
What is THE one lasting impression you want to leave in your photos?
If I had one lasting impression I would want all my images to have it would have to be appealing. I want my images to be appealing to others.
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