BTS girl: So how did you find out about Between the Sheets?
Bob: I met another photographer at a small fashion show I shot a couple months prior to BTS 2005. He emailed to tell me about BTS and I figured a lingerie runway show was worth the drive from Connecticut which is where I lived at the time.
BTS girl: What was your first BTS experience like, what did you take away from it?
Bob: It was only my second time shooting a fashion show (the first one lasted only 6 minutes) so I was still very concerned with the correct settings to use and unsure of myself. I was so focused on the technical aspects of shooting, that I barely noticed the girls. However, I was very happy with my shots and confirmed that it was something I was good at and enjoyed doing. And I made some friendships that continue to this day.
BTS girl: How long have you been interested in photography and what made you get started?
Bob: I’ve always liked taking pictures since I was a child and was fascinated with the ability to visually capture fleeting moments in time. I took a photo class in 8th grade, but I never really got into it as a serious endeavor until affordable digital SLR photography arrived on the scene many years later. An acquaintance was holding a small fashion show and needed photographers, so I used that as an excuse to buy a Nikon d70 and showed up. I loved it and continued doing other shows and costuming events. My visual attraction to a woman is guided in large part by the beauty and style of clothing she chooses to wear, so fashion photography is my way of celebrating and communicating my favorite expressions of that aspect of femininity.
BTS girl: What are some of your current projects?
Bob: I’m currently working on building a portfolio of product and jewelry shots to see if I can get a side business going in that realm. The jewelry aspect crosses over from fashion so there is some alignment in my interests, and I’ve come to enjoy the process of creating esthetically pleasing images. I have mother/daughter portrait sessions for a girl-scout troop coming up, and I continue to cover fashion and costuming events.
BTS girl: How do you stay motivated, what do you do to keep yourself out there and shooting?
Bob: What is great about fashion and costuming is that there are endless variations on my favorite themes, so it continues to stay new and interesting from a photographic perspective. At the end of each year I write a summary of what I’ve accomplished and set some goals for myself for the following year. This year, I’m focused on protecting my work, deriving some income from my services, while continuing to increase my creative & technical skills. Living and working in NYC and buying a new piece of gear usually helps to find new perspectives as well.
BTS girl: Any funny stories about the shows, backstage bloopers or funny moments that stand out?
Bob: The first year, I had trouble finding the venue due to poor signage and nearly went home. I was standing on a street corner wondering what to do when a bunch of girls came by placing cards all over the place. After they passed, I took a look at one and it was an ad for BTS, so I followed them to the venue.
Another year, the venue held a male striptease show immediately before BTS. Hopefully nobody got there too early and was confused.
BTS girl: Would you shoot another BTS show if we started them again?
Bob: Of course
BTS girl: Random Question of the Day: What’s your favorite time of year and why?
Bob: Right now, the later half of spring. I can finally go for long walks without being chilly or getting too hot, sit outside and read, and watch women look their best in the latest fashions.
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