Rich Burroughs

I had a marketing person tell me once that I needed a logo. And I think I threw up in my mouth a little.

I heard a photographer talk recently about how he needs to do more “networking” with models and that word makes me cringe. Of course I’m always looking to meet and work with better models, but I usually let it happen a little more naturally.

I think what people respond to more than anything is the quality of your work. The secret to working with really good models: Take great pictures of the other models you work with. And when you get a chance to work with that really good model, take great pictures of them too. And give them the pictures. And be nice.

If you’re having troubled finding good people to work with (and almost everyone does when they’re starting out), the answer isn’t to message more people to tell them they should shoot with you because you’re awesome. The answer is to take better pictures.

(Edit: The other big factor is payment of course. When I started out I paid a lot of models. Sometimes I was able to negotiate a reduced rate because they liked my work. As a newer photographer I think you really reduce your chances of shooting with good models if you’re unwilling/unable to pay them anything. But I stand by my original point, because I know some fantastic models who are in demand enough that they’re able to be very picky about who they shoot with. With those women even offering to pay isn’t enough. They’re going to want to know the images are going to make them look good, too.)

I met another of my favorites painters tonight, that’s the 3rd in like 3 or 4 months. If there’s one thing that’s resulted from my photography that I could point to as making me the happiest, it’s that. To have such talented people follow my work, and to get to hang out with them and talk about art, it’s something I never anticipated. Really amazing.

Someone sent me this as a reply so I can’t just post it but it’s a very good question:

“Who are the top 5 models you haven’t shot yet that you would like to shoot? I love your work <3” — deepdarkandveryhidden

Thank you :) That’s a hard one because I know so many models and with so many you kind of forget about people at times. And then you see a picture and you’re like, oh yeah I’m dying to shoot her. Also I feel like I have to leave people off that list like Kate Upton and Lara Stone because there’s no realistic chance of me shooting them.

So I can’t really give you a top 5 list because I know it won’t be accurate, I’ll screw up and forget people I really love. However, here are a few people that do come to mind that I’m really desperate to work with:

Mandy Murphy

Cristi Duncan

Jade Corinne

Those three have been on my wish list for a long time, all really stunning and amazing in front of the camera.

Also I have a huge model crush on Lass Suicide, I think she’s so lovely and unique. Every time she comes to the US I die a little inside because I’m not in LA and can’t shoot her. I think we would really do well together.

I’m recently totally in love with pictures of Ellia Suicide. I think she’s pretty in a very natural way.

Oh and my friend from Florida, Deanna Quintana. She’s so pretty and super super nice.

I could go on and on. I’m actually shooting with one of the women from my wish list in a few days, Porcelain.

Ask me stuff if you have questions about my work, photography, or other things. Anon is off because I already know that I suck, thanks. And if you just tell me I am awesome, I will appreciate that but probably answer private. Yes I know that I just said I suck and that I also may be awesome but people are complex.

I learned to take photos shooting black and white film in the early 1980s, and for many years photography for me was shooting black and white. But colors are fucking badass. I’m glad I figured that out.