The Works of Photographer Steve Maisch
It is with great pleasure we announce our first guest Photographer of the of the new year. Steve Maisch has a very creative eye and a unique style for beauty and glamour, with a bright and vibrant fantasy twist.
GlamModelz Magazine: Let’s get started! Tell me about your background…how did you get started in Photography? Steve Maisch: I got started in photography through a local model and friend named Mindi Naticchioni. I was working as a screenwriter and Indie film director and she was cast as the lead role in a short film we were shooting. She suggested that since I already knew the basics of lighting and framing, was artistically inclined, and had a vivid imagination that I should give photography a shot and she would love to be my first subject. I borrowed a friend’s camera and strobes, and with his help did my first shoot. I was instantly hooked. Within the next week my wife and I dropped a ton of money on a full camera package.
GlamModelz Magazine: Why Glamour/Beauty? What other genre’s and styles interest you? Steve Maisch: Well originally after purchasing my equipment I dabbled in landscape and panoramic photos, just trying to learn the camera and all its various functions and settings, but it didn’t hold my interest. I have always been fascinated by beauty and glamour, and found that my personality simply fit in bringing out the best in human subjects. Though beauty and glamour are one of my main focuses, I actually consider myself a concept photographer more than anything.
GlamModelz Magazine: What or who inspires you as a photographer? Steve Maisch: Wow, that’s a hard question because it would be a pretty broad answer. Music inspires me a lot, other artists work, movies, poetry, and books, my love of comic books as a teenager, and mythology. The support of my family and friends inspires me, and often they give me ideas and concepts to try. My wife Tanya loves and supports me 100% and often comes up with some of the best concepts for our shoots. I also draw inspiration from the models I work with. Many of them have really good ideas they bring to me that with some minor tweaks turn into fantastic works of art.
Like all artists, I too have a muse. Her name is Kelsea Hume and from the first moment we shot together I have been inspired by her and continue to be.
GlamModelz Magazine: What challenges do you face in this industry? What would you change about it, if you could? Steve Maisch: Getting your foot in the door is the biggest challenge. I would change that if I could, allow a better method for unknown but talented artists to get national recognition. But I am pretty sure that won’t be changing any time soon. Sites such as yours and many of the social media sites are changing this to some degree. You really have to be extremely lucky and a shameless self promoter to get anywhere in this business. Luckily I am.
GlamModelz Magazine: What equipment is essential for you as a glamour photographer, to capture your “best shot”? Steve Maisch: My handy dandy Canon, a lens, one strobe and a portable power pack. Sometimes the best shots are the most simple. But I think the most important tool that is essential for getting my “Best Shot”, is preparation and a fantastic idea. Without those, the shot will always suffer. If you get hair, makeup, wardrobe, location, concept, etc all together, then you can get your best shot. Its really all about preparation and how much of yourself you put into it. You can get lucky and catch lighting in a bottle with just a camera, but if you prepare, you will almost always get good shots.
GlamModelz Magazine: Paid vs. TF* shoots – What are your views and preferences? Steve Maisch: I think it depends on where you are at in your photography career. When you first start the most important thing is in building a strong body of work. Getting your portfolio polished is essential. That can only come through a ton of trial and error, and doing a bunch of TF shoots. Paid is always preferred, and never refused, but I don’t think artists just starting out should expect it. Also I just love the idea of collaborating with a team of people whose sole purpose is to make good art.
GlamModelz Magazine: How would you best describe your personal style? Steve Maisch: Out there? LOL. I love pictures that make people put a story to them. Something that makes someone think, while at the same time allowing them to enjoy the artistry of it. A lot of my shots involve heavy photo manipulation and crazy “out of this world” concepts. I also use heavy saturation in a lot of my images to get a lot of bold colors. I am also in love with the look of high contrast black and white photos.
While I love the concepts the most, I am starting to develop an appreciation for a pretty picture that is just that, something to look at. I love to make female models look powerful, strong, and intense, while at the same time sexy and seductive. My work with male models is limited, but I will be using them more and more here in the near future.
GlamModelz Magazine: What are your goals for your photography? Other goals? Steve Maisch: My original goal was to keep photography as a hobby and simply get published. Now that that has happened, I feel I need to go further with it. I want to be published in a national level print magazine, have an art gallery showing, and see the models I work with have success in this industry. I also love shooting bands. I would love to shoot a major label band or two, and get a few CD covers out of it. That would rock.
Ladies, Start Your Self-Color Analysis Now!!
GlamModelz Magazine: What qualities should Models/MUA’s/Stylists, etc have to work with you? Steve Maisch: As far as models are concerned, I have one simple rule. We have to click. Since I do this mainly as a hobby/obsession, I have to enjoy the time I put into it. If the model and I get along, have fun, and laugh, I would gladly work with her. I do a lot of work with girls just starting their portfolios, so industry experience isn’t a must for me, but a connection is. Now when you do work with a pro, who also clicks with you, then you make magic. I am just blessed that I get to work with some of the most beautiful, and fun loving people in the world. I truly feel honored that they even shoot with me.
As far as MUA’s go, you have to be creative and want to contribute. Sometimes my vision is not complete, and having an outside eye to give suggestions is invaluable.
I don’t need a stylist. I have the best one in the United States living under my roof. My wife is a designer with over 16 years of experience. She can do styles from any era. It’s a commodity I do not take lightly and thank her every time .
GlamModelz Magazine: Tell us about your biggest accomplishment to date or what makes you most proud. Steve Maisch: Hmmm. I have several I am very proud of. First and foremost being chosen for this interview, it is very flattering and I’d like to thank everyone at GlamModelz. Being chosen as a finalist for Capture Cincinnati and having my pictures in their coffee table book was very nice. But what make me most proud (in photography) is the people who follow my work on SteveMaisch.com, Deviant Art, my Facebook fan group, and comment on all of the pictures. Their support and feedback really mean a great deal to me. Sometimes even the little things make me very proud. When I shoot a model and then check their website and my picture is on their main page or used as their avatar. That makes me swell with pride.
GlamModelz Magazine: What advice do you have for new/amateur photographers who want to shoot glamour? Steve Maisch: Prepare for drama. Since the average age for starting models is 16 to 22 you have to realize you are dealing with young, impressionable people who take what they do very seriously, and are putting their potential career in your hands. The job is part photographer, part therapist, and part shoulder to lean on. Some photographers may be able to get amazing pictures by just meeting a model once and never having contact again, but that’s just not how I work. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve made invaluable lifelong friends through this hobby, and it has enriched my life a great deal.
Also have a thick skin. Expect cancellations, no shows, bad shoots, temperamental models, and angry boyfriends. It is bound to happen and you have to learn to deal with it. The best advice I have for a new photographer is “jump in feet first and start shooting”. When I decided to do this I did 3-5 photo shoots a week just for practice. Yes most of them sucked, but I learned so much from them.
GlamModelz Magazine: Any advice for models? Steve Maisch: For models they need to find quality photographers that you can trust and don’t settle just for anyone with a camera. Look at their body of work and see if it will improve your portfolio. If it won’t, skip it. Always look to expand, better yourself, and create good art. There is a wealth of talented and trustworthy artists in just about every city. But there are also a lot of creeps. Know that you do not have to do extremely risqué shoots to get paying jobs, but also understand the nature of the business you are going into. Understand that swim wear shoots, sexy ad campaigns, skimpy runway clothes, and the like are part of the beast that is this business. You are selling an image of your body, it is what models do.
GlamModelz Magazine: In addition to photography, do you have other skills/interests/talents in which you excel? Steve Maisch: I love the sport of mixed martial arts. I practiced it for several years along with other forms of martial arts on and off throughout my life. I love weight training (though not so much in my advancing years), and I am a decent wii bowler J. I consider myself a well rounded artist. I can draw, paint, write, and design. Other than that I love spending time with my family and friends, and I am a rabid fan of the NFL.
GlamModelz Magazine: What other interesting facts would you like GlamModelz readers to know about you? Steve Maisch: The main fact I would like to share is that I have only been doing photography for 8 months. This is a fact that shocks a lot of people. The truth is if you are truly inspired, you can accomplish a lot in a short period of time, with the right innate skill and determination.
I would like to thank a few people that mean a lot to me. Thanks to my wife Tanya and my children for putting up with and supporting this obsession of mine. I love you all.
I want to thank Steve Beverley of www.911inc.net for his support and guidance. Without it I would never have gotten off the ground.
I want to thank Kelsea Hume for being my muse, inspiring my visions, and pushing me to the next level.
Thank you to Melanie Hernandez, a fantastic model who also just happens to be one of the best friends a guy could have.
Thanks to Leslie, Marisa, Danielle, Franco, Brian, Peggie, Paul, Rachel, Vanessa, and Heather for being a core team of models that any photographer would be blessed to shoot with. Special thanks to Lyn from Serket Jewelry. Her jewelry line rocks and she has really been a new source of inspiration.
Finally I would like to thank my mother. Every ounce of talent I was born with came from her. I miss you.
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About Beauty Editor - Jett Ray:
***** Welcome to GlamModelz Magazine, "The Most Glamorous Site on the Internet" *****
Jett Ray is the Managing Editor of GlamModelz Magazine. She has been a post-secondary instructor at local colleges in the Dallas area for over 10 years. Her background in writing comes from a corporate perspective in which had responsibility for composing articles regarding career development and personal-enrichment techniques. Jett is seasoned seminar speaker, event-planner and hostess, in addition to being an experienced model and makeup artist. She has obtained credentials as a Registered Medical Assistant and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree from Dallas Baptist University, with concentration in Psychology and Healthcare Management. Jett is currently a graduate student enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counseling Program at DBU, with the goal of obtaining a Ph.D and establishing a practice in the near future.
****Her love for art, design, colors and beauty began at a very young age and she has been in love ever since!
****Jett is actively involved in Dallas' Glamour, Fashion, Music and Social Scene and can be found networking at various events around the Metroplex.
Ronin Photo & Design
Photographer: Don, Ronin Photo & Design
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Thanks for sharing your incite with us Steve!! I love your creativity and vision within this broad and diverse range of work! I love your pinup work, I have just started dabbling in that genera myself. Perhaps I had better rethink my own vision
All the best
Dave
http://davedavisphotography.com
Congrats on the article, Steve & GlamModelz Mag. Steve has been a pleasure to work with, and he’s a down to earth guy. It’s always nice to see local talent recognized. Amazing work to the Photographer, and all the MUA involved in these photos. They’re all so captivating, and each tells a story. Cheers to all, and a prosperous 2010!
-J:10
I am so glad to see you feature Steve Maisch in this magazine! The article is well done and it shows a lot of the photgraphers personality! His work is amazing! His personality shows (through this article) of someone who loves what they do, and finds joy in creating great art, and also teaching others.
Perhaps we will see a followup article in a year or so?
-Brian
This is a wonderful article! Personally and professionally, it is very refreshing to work with someone who “gets it” without having to go into all of the exhausting details in sharing a concept or vision. Steve does such a wonderful job capturing the moment, look and feel of each shot that I often find myself spellbound and lost in thoughts of imagination and enchantment. From an artist prospective, Steve stirs up a plethora of inspiration and motivation in which I am very grateful!
thanks so much Steve for not only sharing your outstanding work but your views as well.. my sincere compliments to you always..
Jeff
Thanks Jett for a great article! Congrats on finding a diamond in the rough subject. Although Steve is new, his work is exciting and amazing! I recently started following his work on Facebook and it is wonderful to come home and find new amazing work almost every day. I look forward to the upcoming issues of the magazine. As for Steve, you have a warped imagination that I love being invited to share. Good luck to you and your future endeavors.
Great interview, photos and insight! Your contribution is certainly a welcome addition to GlamModelz.com! Excellent advice for aspiring models as well.
I WISH VISIT IT
Hi buddy, your blog’s design is simple and clean and i like it. Your blog posts are superb. Please keep them coming. Greets!
Definitely concur with just what you explained. Your explanation was definitely the easiest to fully grasp. I tell you, I typically get annoyed whenever folks comment on matters that they obviously don’t know about. You were able to hit the nail on the head and spelled out everything without problem. Possibly, people could get a sign. Will more than likely be back to get more. Cheers
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Great Post. Thanks for sahring!!
I like the submssion. Mind if I reference to it on a near future blogpost?
Enjoying these have given me a broader outlook on the subject. I hope there is more to come. Many thanks dear writer.
Nice article. I have bookmarked the site and I hope you keep up the good posts.
Hi Steve!I haven’t wtriten in a while nor have I kept up my part in getting my foot in the door of photography hopefully 2007 will be the year!But I wanted to let you know what an awesome job you do and continue to do! I check out your site every once and a while and everytime I watch one of your wedding videos I get goose bumps! I don’t even know the people and I want to cry tears of joy cause your photos are so breath taking! I hope to one day be able to do the same!Thank you for keeping me in mind in your mailings! Good luck to you in the contest! You definitely have my vote!~Brooke
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Incredibly… My wife and i could not have said that better personally!
Stumbled into this site by chance but I’m sure glad I clicked on that link. You definitely answered all the questions I’ve been dying to answer for some time now. Will definitely come back for more of this. Thank you so much
Just keep doing good stuff.
an outstanding blog if i ever seen one. If you are the type to update your blog daily, then you have gained one daily reader in me today. Please keep up the super work.
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ha, I will try out my thought, your post give me some good ideas, it’s really amazing, thanks.
- Norman
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Great write-up thanks for taking the time to write it
I sure wish I could just shadow you for a few days, with my Wine Rack in place and full of vino. What a hoot that would be. I just started Mockingjay on audio today with my kids.
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My wife loves her necklace.
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