Photographing Models In Detroit

Professional Detroit Model Photographer Mary DuPrie

I labored today.  Cleaned and painted my radiators  at the studio.  Stripped my floor in a  20’x20′ bay, yuk, a hard dirty job.  Went all out with oil based paint and primer.  Got a big sliver of glass in my finger I can’t get out… boo hoo

When shooting models it’s ok to have a loft studio in a somewhat bad neighborhood.  The building is getting a bit junkie and I can’t do anything about it.  I’ve complained numerous times and the management company does nothing.  I moved in 21 years ago and it looked a lot better back then.  There are overgrown empty lots with tossed out furniture on the way to the studio… it can be a bit… ummm,  scary.

I just say it’s a “New York” experience, sounds better than a “Detroit ” experience.

When you shoot models it’s not that big of deal.  Trying to shoot portrait and boudoir clients unfortunately it just doesn’t fly.  So I better be worth the effort to get to me and the studio has to look all arty farty.

My studio looks good, not great, it could look a  lot better.  It’s easy for it to get messy.  I wish I had less stuff.  I give it away, I throw it away, I sell it… but I still have way too much.

I’m glad I got rid of a big expensive uncomfortable velvet couch last month (the hoarder down the hall took it) that no one ever sat on.  I watched two hours of Hoarders tonight, I find it compelling.  It’s like a horrendous car accident you can’t look away from.  I’m not a hoarder but I am a magpie.  I think all artists have a bit of collector in them.  Once in a while a good paint and purge feels good.

I’ll be announcing a work shop space giveaway tomorrow for my upcoming September 17th-19th work shop… it will be a fast little giveaway.  So don’t miss tomorrows post!

Chelsey and Andi are booked as the models, Michigan Makeup Artist Tammy Pore will be doing makeup.

5 comments category: Boudoir,Photographing models

1 Cynthia September 13, 2011 at 11:52 am

I love her eyes.. It have the tiger look.. I admire her beauty..

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2 Mike September 8, 2010 at 10:29 am

Love your photos, and wish I could shoot like you.

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3 Terrence Bibb September 8, 2010 at 12:55 am

I really respect your humble attitude as I know plenty of current and aspiring photographers would love to be at your level. If I could place your entire site into my inspiration folder I would.

Thank You

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4 Houston Wedding Photographers September 7, 2010 at 11:41 pm

You have the best workshops Mary. You ROCK!!!
Houston Wedding Photographers recently posted..Ranch Weddings

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5 Aurora Vanderbosch September 7, 2010 at 8:37 am

Wow–sounds like you were quite the busy girl yesterday!!

If you’ve still got the glass in your finger–if there’s even a *tiny* bit sticking out, try soaking your finger in water until it shrivels up, to make a little more stick out–maybe enough to grab hold of. (Doesn’t help if nothing’s sticking out at all, though. 🙁 )

I wouldn’t worry too much about the location, for portrait shooting, though…remember that new people won’t know what it’s like–until they show up–and people who’ve already worked with you won’t care. The key is to knock them dead once they get inside–that makes a WORLD of difference!

After all–some of the leaders in the industry, these days, are working out of studios built on their property….way out the in the middle of nowhere…and people still come…

Know what you mean about collecting things, btw…and the thrill of purging and cleaning! I LOVE letting things get really messy for a few days, just for the joy of cleaning up the mess! And purging? Well, let’s just say that while I adore collecting things (what antiquer doesn’t?!), I love filling garbage bag after garbage bag with stuff I’m getting rid of–what a great feeling! It’s like you lost 20 pounds, got a facial, and are a shiny, new person! 🙂

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