Below is an interview I’ve recently given to DeviantArt for their Project Educate Week on Fetish, the original interview can be found here: link (you will need to be a member)
*johntisbury joins #projecteducate to share his experience as a fetish photographer!
How did you get into photography in general, and fetish photography specifically?
My parents were into photography and I guess I got into it from them, even though they had stopped by and large by the time I started. We always had boxes of transparency slides in the house and I loved looking at them through the little handheld viewer held up to the daylight. I loved the vibrancy and saturated colours a slide gives, so much more punchy than print. So I started shooting slide film with a Praktica film camera, I got into landscapes and learn my trade that way. I liked shooting landscapes due to the fact you had no control over the conditions, when you arrived at a location you got what was given to you weather wise. In 2004 I got into studio photography and found this was the other end of the spectrum, I had complete control over every aspect of the shot. I soon found I didn’t like glamour photography, no offence to those that do it and there’s many who do an awesome job at it, but it was not for me. In the UK glamour photography is the dominant style so most photographers start out shooting that style. Over the preceding years I developed my style and found that the erotic and fetish genre was so much more interesting, the props, the clothing, the contrasty lighting, the shadows all lent themselves to the style and I loved it – I still do.
What was your favorite shoot?
Phew, that’s a tough one. I’ve been fortunate to shoot in some wonderful locations with some truly awesome models. I guess one of my favourite shoots was with Iveta and KatyCee at a friend’s £3 million pound house where we had the run of the house for the day. Such fun, creativity and inspiration from two world-class models is hard to beat. Below is just one image from that shoot, it was truly a productive day.
What would you say was the strangest thing you’ve done for a shoot?
I took a private commission about 5 years ago where I had to cane a customer as they wanted real stripes on their arse and back, that seemed a little surreal, caning a customer and then getting paid for it. However, I think about it now and it’s fairly commonplace for me to do this type of thing. Experience has taught me never say never and once you’ve done something new, the next time you come to repeat it it’s more comfortable and feels more normal than the previous time. I now tie customers and models up on regular occasions and don’t give it a second thought.
What do you look for in a model? What makes you want, or not want to work with someone?
That’s a good question. Attitude and facial expressions are the first thing I look for. When I look at a model’s portfolio I want to ask myself the question ‘Is that really them in all these shots?’. That to me is the mark of a top model, someone who shows versatility and experience. Many many models have one look and all that changes in their clothing or pose. I want more from a model, I want to work with people who are creative, motivated, willing to push the edge and express themselves, they must bring their skills and creativity to the shoot as two heads are indeed better than one.
What are some positive and negative gains and experiences you’ve had as a photographer?
The models I’ve worked with are without doubt the most positive experiences and gains I’ve had. When I’ve worked with a model and produced an image that we are both so proud of that we can’t wait to show it to others then this is the highlight of being an artist. I love that fact that those images become part of my journey and my artistic output that I can share with a model, it’s a special moment. I’m trying to think of the negatives, which is difficult as I’m not a negative person, I see all events as an opportunity to reflect and look at what could have gone better or improved upon. So no I’ve not had any real negative experiences.
Do you tell people about being a fetish photographer? How do the people in your life deal with it, if they know?
Absolutely I’m happy to tell people what I do, it’s their problem if they can’t handle it. I’ve found that fetish and erotic photography and photo shoots for this type of content are becoming more and more popular and acceptable. A boom in things like boudoir photo shoots for private individuals has opened people’s eyes and imaginations and these types of shoots and as a result are more commonplace and accepted. I’m proud of what I do and more than happy to tell others.
What do you do to make a model feel comfortable being nude, and potentially sexual/erotic in front of the camera? Do you ever have music playing to get the mood right? Could you share some ways to relax when behind the camera or giving directions to a model?
I always play music in the studio, it’s a blended mix of modern, disco, pop and rock, something for every taste. I find music helps the session and breaks the ice. If I’ve not worked with a model before I take time to talk through how I shoot and that it’s a collaboration between the two of us, rather than one-way traffic. I briefly chat through each lighting setup and show the model the first couple of images on the back of the camera so they can see what the light is doing. I find myself giving constant feedback whilst I’m shooting about what they are doing and letting them know things are going well. I constantly review the shots with the model and often they will say, ‘Can we do that one again, as I can do a better pose with my leg, arm hand etc’ which is great to have that easy going atmosphere. If a setup is not going well then I’ll stop and review the images with the model, chat through my concerns and see if we can tweak things. If there is no improvement then we drop the idea and move onto something else, there’s no blame and certainly no shame in dropping an idea if it’s not working.
Models who are good at what they do will most always get references and check out the photographer before working with them, this is sensible and something I strongly believe all models should do. I want a model to know they can feel safe and not threatened in my presence, that comes from building up a good reputation and professional approach to what I do. This approach starts from the initial communication and continues all the time you are working together. I love the female form and love photographing it, however I’m not looking for a model as a girlfriend, my wife wouldn’t be happy about it, that’s for sure! I’m an artist, that’s my driving force.
What would you say to people who insist that fetish photography is “just porn” or has no artistic value?
It’s an old debate about one man’s porn being another man’s art, it’s a circular and worthless debate for me. I take images that I like and that express my creativity and artistic nature. If other people like them too well that’s great, but I don’t limit myself by saying no I can’t shoot that it’s too much like porn, if it fulfills my artistic ambitions then it’s art to me. If other don’t like it then that’s cool, if they do like it, then that’s cool too. If they part with money to purchase it then that’s brilliant – I always like that feeling!
Do you have a fetish of your own? If so, what?
No I’m not into fetish as a lifestyle choice. However, I do research the subject area, just like an author does who is going to write a book. I feel I can get a better understanding if I know what it feels like. What’s it like to be blindfolded, how does it feel, what does it feel like to have heighten the remaining senses. Within most fetishes there are good and bad examples of photography, for example when I started doing rope bondage I was not very good at it, although I didn’t know that at that time. I went on a 1-2-1 course to learn how to tie and suspend a model safely using the correct techniques. I find that now my bondage photography has improved ten-fold, however I’m still learning, every time I shoot I learn something. I guess once I stop learning then it’s time to give up and put down my camera. I love the thirst for knowledge and the strive to improve and get better.
What is your favorite lighting setup? Why?
I don’t really have one, photography is all about capturing the light. I start of with a black room and add light, I choose the lighting setup to suit the shot and model. My favourite lighting style comes through in my work, it’s low lighting with lots of shadows, I like using light to shape and mould the body. As an aside, I’m now shooting videos with a DSLR camera and prime lenses with the aim of capturing on video the same lighting style that I use for my erotic and fetish photography. It’s a great challenge and learning curve and I’m getting to re-fresh myself on the skills and techniques I learnt ages ago but this time applying them to a different medium. Video is so different to stills photography in so many way, but also very similar in many others.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face as a fetish photographer?
I guess I’m lucky I’ve not faced any big challenges, all my commissioned work has been secured because people like my style and want me to shoot their images. There was a time when there weren’t that many models who were into fetish and erotic photography so it was a challenge to work with different model, but nowadays I’m pleased to say that has changed and there are many many awesome models out there to work with.
Who, or what do you find inspirational?
That’s a biggie. What really gets my goat is people who say they are not creative, we all have the ability to be creative, some of us just believe it. Whatever you believe then that becomes true for you. Inspiration is all around us if we only allow ourselves to be open to the stimuli. As humans we tend to like routine as it breeds security, the trouble with routine is it can be a dampener on inspiration. To be inspired I like to do different things, I break my routine as often as I can. I purchase newspapers or magazines I’ve never taken before, I visit shops I’ve not been into before, or those I’m familiar with I go down aisles I’ve never been down before. I love looking at advertising of all types, there are so many creatives out there and their ideas often trigger parallel ideas for shots for me. Looking at other people’s work is good too, but not to copy their ideas. I hate it when people copy someone else’s work and pass it off as their own, plagiarism is not the highest form of flattery, it’s the lowest form of creativity. I love to take other people’s ideas and move them on and put my own stamp on them, so if they were to look at my shot they wouldn’t recognize their own influence within my work.
What is your dream shoot that you’ve always wanted to do, but for whatever reasons, haven’t done yet?
Hmmm I’ve a few shots I’d love to do. I’ve done a week of underwater shooting but would like to improve on that. I spent most of the week honing my skills and improving, but I’d like to have another crack at it.
What advice would you give to new photographers in the field?
Learn the lighting techniques and practice, practice, practice. Copy work of people you admire as a technical exercise until you are confident you can light a model well in most conditions. Whilst learning don’t post your work all over the place, especially if you’re copying other photographer’s work as technical exercises. The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn to be your own critic, that’s often the hardest thing new photographers find to do. Don’t ask others to pick out your images for you, learn to do it yourself. By all means ask people which ones they like and why, but the driver must be to shoot what you like. To allow you to do that you must be able to review your work, and I mean critically review it. Choose just one shot from a set, not 3 or 4 similar looking ones. Limit yourself, say to yourself if I can only choose one image from this set which one would it be and why. Look at the work of other photographers you admire and work out why you like their work. What aspects of their work do you like? Is it composition; exposure, style, creativity, approach or a combination of these things.
What’s the one interview question you’ve always wanted to be asked? And what’s your answer?
Can I sponsor your work so you can be free to shoot what you like when you like? Yes LOL
If someone wanted to book you, where else could they find you, and what’s the best way to get in contact?
email: Info@johntisbury.co.uk preferred method of contact
web: www.johntisbury.co.uk
Twitter @JohnTisbury
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