Ice Cube , Y'all!

Shooting Ice Cube was fun - he is really chill (he's a gemini - I love those!) and I've got to meet his wife Kimberly, too.
I couldn't resist sharing my "wiggled butt to N.W.A. when I was 13 and didn't understand a damn word but it sounded great" - story with him and he was just cracking up over it.
Now he knows!

Eve

I miss my girl Eve.

She moved back to Hong Kong last summer (am I losing track of time?) and yeah, sad she's gone.
When we did those shots a year and a half ago, I was going through a phase where I'd only shoot with lights I could buy at Home Depot and slap gels on them. I called them "ghetto lights".
I don't shoot much with those anymore but have renamed my strobes "ghetto lights" as well.
I like at least slightly sloppy light- and if my assistants try to adjust them, they'll get elbowed.
Once I yelled at my assistant during a shoot when he suggested to hand hold one of the lights for better accuracy (I had just clipped it on a C Stand and was about to fall off) :

"Don't you EEVEEEER touch my fucking ghetto lights, I like em ghetto, so BACK OFF!"

Poor guy.

Yeah, so Evelyn. Funny girl. She drove a stick shift Mini Cooper and while driving, she'd yell and insult everyone in the lanes to her left, right, front and back, like there's no tomorrow.
It would get to the point where I'd be scared driving with her.
She lived here for several years but the LA traffic seemed to surprise her on a daily basis.

At 5:42 PM she'd scream :

"WHY THE FUCK IS THERE ALL THIS TRAFFIC? I HATE TRAFFIC! I HATE HATE HATE IT!"

and then slap the wheel with both hands 'til the car was shaking.
Once we shot out in the desert and she was driving. Needless to say that it was a quite nerve wrecking drive.

So yeah ... Eve is probably the only scary 5'4" asian girl that I know (behind the wheel of a stick shift Mini Cooper).

But her endless patience for my retardation sure made up for all this. She was the one who went all over Downtown LA with me the second I had moved into my new loft to find a disco ball.
I'd just demand to look for a disco ball. Now. And I also needed a fog machine, but I didn't get one until a few months ago for NYE.
She'd supervise me patiently as I was painting the walls intoxicated.... she just reminded me recently that I was fucked up on E and kept knocking over huge buckets of water that she'd have to clean up after me while she was totally stoned from all the weed she had smoked.
The blind leading the blind. Just the way I like it, baby.

Evelyn also keeps a blog here. I love the series of self portraits she's been doing lately.

Kisses to Hong Kong, babe!

Carlos Batts DVD Release Party "Young Hollywood"

My friend and brilliant artist Carlos Batts was having his DVD release party for "Young Hollywood" at Safari Sam's last week. You'll rarely see such a diverse crowd and fun people to be around.
Afterwards the girls and I hit Jumbo's Clown Room until Eric Kroll ran out of dollars-here some photos of one of my rare social gatherings.

Ps: Dear World, if you'll ever get a chance to have Adriana sitting next to you at Jumbo's - her comments on the strippers are priceless.
My fave line that evening (after throwing a dollar on stage with lots of hesitation), she mumbles...

"That dollar... that dollar wasn't for your crappy pole dance. That dollar was for Tom Waits, bitch".


With Adriana and Numa

My head is peaking out behind the 3 dudes to the right (Carlos in the middle)

How awesome are these girls? I didn't know Lillian had a sister!

With Numa - I am definitely NOT getting the missing tooth fixed. It's just hot, dude.

Adriana holding on to her dollar bill - just before the relentless verdict ....

Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It

I am shooting da one and only ICE CUBE this week so I've been checking out his new music.
When I was about 13 or so, I used to blast N.W.A. in my room and my parents were like WTF is she listening to?
I didn't understand the lyrics but I loved to wiggle my butt to the tunes - I had just bought their album "Straight Outta Compton" on Vinyl.... that was in '88 I think.

Q: "But wasn't Compton dangerous before Gangsta Rap?"

A:"WRONG! Compton was a nature preserve for bunny rabbits!
When Gangsta Rap came along, they tore down the country clubs and put up housing projects! "

Ha. Look out for Ice Cube's new album "Raw Footage" this summer. Pix coming soon!

Blogged by Angel Lust PR

Today I get following message from Kristen May, who runs a blog called Angel Lust PR- (A blog dedicated to the creative ambitious talent out there with no cash to afford fabulous PR. This is PR site for the broke yet devastatingly talented):

(On MISSBEHAVE Mag): "The cover lured me into buying it last night! Then I looked at the credits and was all OMG Siege's friend.
Love, Kristen May"

Awwww. Here's the blog entry:





On another note - my dear friend Amie sent me a phone cam pic of herself wearing bunny ears, accompanied by the following text message:

" This is what you do when you're single and live alone".
Man, this is just wrong... my lil girl needs a new man!

I LOVE MY BITCHES!
This is Amie's Myspace.

Lily Collins

I came across some Poladoids I took of Phil Collins daughter Lily last summer.
I used to make it a habit to shoot Pola 600 during all my shoots, I must have boxes full of Polaroids I shot at random moments.
None of these were ever published - I didn't like the makeup and the styling.
I'd rather take a shoot for a dive than publishing stuff that I'm not feeling - these trucker basement Polaroids are one of the few shots that I dig.
Lily was cool- and the young lady is about to start hosting some stuff on Nickelodeon channel.

Blogged by Gold & Silver Stars

Check it out here.

Gold & Silver Stars blogs about "Art (in all its forms), food, drink, happenings, people and places worth noting..."

I have to admit that I was a little surprised about seeing a shot of bleeding wrestler Cassandro... not what bloggers would usually post as they usually prefer the pretty fashion stuff.

Thanks, Jen!

The Bristlecone Pines

Focusing on more creative work aside from covers or fashion spreads that demand a certain conformity , catering to the needs and expectations of the magazine readers and advertisers is a much needed counterbalance in a faced paced world that I capture here and there.

I certainly enjoy the challenge of a seemingly impossible shoot, fashion or celebrity, often requested with very little advance notice and high expectations on the other end.
And I do these things with equal passion - it is fun to do the impossible.

I am currently working on a personal project that I am planning to exhibit soon and shooting personal work like the one I am now brings up memories and emotions that I've almost forgotten about and reminds me of what drives me and situations that I encounter that most people might rather walk away from.

Like last November, on another quest for new inspiration and locations to shoot, I've discovered an image of the Bristlecone Pine and I was stunned - supposedly the oldest living organisms on earth, with some being 5000 years old , possibly more.

These stunning trees grow in a place where everything dies - harsh winds in almost 12.000 feet high elevations, cold temperatures, dry soils and short growing seasons.

Ironically, the very same tree in the lower elevation portion of the White Mountain Range rarely grows older than 500 years.
Deadly conditions to support a seemingly eternal life form. A funny place this earth is....

When you arrive, you're slightly dizzy at first. Then disoriented, and possibly pass out, like I did. Twice.

I did not know that elevation sickness wasn't just some obscure myth ... the second time I lost consciousness while walking around with my camera, pushing the button with nearly frozen fingers in the middle of a snow storm.
A hiker had found me before my body could have turned into a dead one.
Where did the lady in the green jacket come from? I am sure someone wants me to stick around.

Maybe Pearl Buck can explain what drives me ?
So I'm still here. And these are some photos from my first scout.







The truly creative mind in any field is a human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive.

To them... a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.

Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, their very breath is cut off...
They must create, must pour out creation.

By some strange, unknown, inward urgency they are not really alive unless they are creating.

Pearl Buck

Amber Heard for Missbehave Magazine

The new issue of MISSBEHAVE Magazine is out now featuring my Amber Heard Cover story, styled by Johnny Wujek @ Magnet LA.
I have to admit that I have a soft spot for this magazine (and Johnny Wujek... ; )
It's probably the funniest shit around and the kind of magazine you'll read from beginning to the end because the stories are hilarious and the fashion stories are great, too.
Make sure to pick up a copy - this bunch of New York City babes know how to put out a funny and smart magazine - so give them your money!
Ps: I couldn't resist adding the contributor clip, it made me laugh...hard.

Flashback: Playboy Spain

This 4 page spread with an interview (also including Cynthia Patterson and Suze Randall) came out April 2006 and is still one of my favorite tear sheets to date.
If you'd like to read the interview , you'll find the transcript below the images.
I've stepped away from shooting the obvious erotica since the release of the Taschen book - I felt boxed into a category that I didn't feel I belonged to exclusively.







Lara Sterling for Playboy Spain

Its a typical December day in a warehouse studio near the center of Los Angeles. In the mainly Latino neighborhood, Christmastime can be seen in the cheap decorations that hang off the taquería awnings and the snow-sprayed windows of the immigration-law clinics. But its still hot out. Its a searing 90 degrees in the street. Its also scorching inside the warehouse. But not because of the buildings temperature; the air-conditioning blasts. The heat in here comes from what you see happening: namely, two naked, twentysomething-year-old Czech models buried inside one anothers crotch. The shoot is for one of infamous porn magnate Larry Flynts top magazines Leg World. Theres only one difference between this erotic photo-shoot and any other: There is a woman behind the camera and not a man.

Most people think that Im a lesbian, says Cynthia Patterson whose tough voice belies the femininity of her long, red hair. But Im not. Im a heterosexual female. And its because I like sex with men that I know what men like in terms of erotic photos. Its this that I try to bring out in every shoot. And what is it exactly that men like according to Patterson? Simple, states the photographer, hot and dirty sex.

Patterson, in fact, is one of the most prolific photographers in the adult-entertainment industry today, an industry that is dominated by men. So what has it taken to get as far as she has?

Sure, there are times when I have to think like a man, Patterson declares with an ironic snigger, but dont think that women like sex that is so different than men do. Once women get all their psychological oh, dear, Im a whore issues out of the way, I believe that both males and females go for a raw, animal sexuality. Patterson adds that she knows when a particular model is posing in a manner that will sell well in the magazine because I can feel in my gut that its hot.

According to Patterson, it is the fact that a woman is beautiful and feminine that is foremost what is attractive in a photo. And, yeah, that you then see her performing in all these incredibly kinky ways. I want the men who view my photos to see that my models are just as hard-core as they are.

No, Cynthia hedges, changing her mind, even more so.

Nudity Not Necessary
Still, even if Cynthia Patterson argues that there is nothing about being female that changes the way that she shoots, there must be something that differentiates the male photographers from the women. At least, this is what Beatrice Neumann, a German-born female erotic photographer, argues. The photographer, who got her start shooting stills of the prostitutes and strippers she knew in her hometown of Frankfurt, explains, When women take erotic photos, they typically dont shoot genitalia. Neumann goes on to confirm that what she personally seeks in a photo is a woman who can express her sexual confidence without being vulgar. Its more about attitude, eye contact, a suggestive look. You dont even need nudity for a photo to be exciting.

But, sure, maybe as a female Neumann only needs a suggestive look for a photo to be a turn-on. But does that sell to the typically male consumer who is her market?

Sure, it does, disputes the photographer. Otherwise there wouldnt be so many woman erotic photographers out there today.

In fact, Neumann shares that she receives emails on a daily basis from men who applaud her for her less-obvious techniques. There is so much porn out there, explains Neumann, and men are fed up with it. Theyre looking for something different, and I provide them with that.

Digital Diaries
Still, its no big secret that female photographers in the world of erotic photography is a relatively new trend. According to Neumann, it was the advent of the digital format that allowed for the emergence of many of the new female erotic photographers on the scene. I dont want to perpetuate any stereotypes, the erotic lenswoman opines, but women feel more threatened by the technicality of film. They are intimidated by lights. Whereas the digital format is all about instant gratification, which has made the art of photography very accessible.

It should come as no surprise then that just when digital cameras became affordable to the common consumerthe year 2000a whole slew of new female names emerged on the erotic-photography circuit. One of the most famous names to rise up that year was Natacha Merritt, who published her collection of sexual self-portraits in the book, Digital Diaries (Taschen).

Female Erotic Photographer Legend
Nevertheless, this is not to say that before Natacha Merritt, there were no female erotic photographers working. Both Cynthia Patterson and Beatrice Neumann, for example, have been shooting professionally since the 1990s. This is not to mention the other big names in the erotic-photography arena, among them Ellen Von Unwerth or Emma Delves-Broughton. And, in fact, one of the photographers who helped mold Larry Flynts Hustlers look when the magazine was first incepted back in the 70s was female. Her name is Suze Randall. Ironically, it was Hugh Hefner of Playboy who first discovered her.

I was 29, young and beautiful, and getting a lot of press as a photographer for this reason, Randall recounts. I started out as a model, and was shooting photos of my friends on the catwalks of Paris. Next thing I know Im being flown to Chicago by Hefner, because he saw some photos of mine that he liked. And remember, this was an era when not even many men were shooting erotic photography, let alone women.

So what was it like for Randall to break into the erotic-photography arena during that more innocent time? I had to bust a lot of balls, says the photographer. The male photographers resented me. They saw this sexy, young woman having all this success. Randall credits her drive and initiative for all that shes achieved up to the present.

Nude Photos = Objectification?
But then again, there remains the issue of objectificationin other words, the concept that to take nude photos of women is to objectify them. This antiquated view is typically perpetuated by feminists. So what do the females who are actually shooting the nude photos think of this idea?

Do I objectify women? Randall asks with a scoff. When a girl is young, in-shape and gorgeous, I think its wonderful to glorify her body. Because trust me, you wont have it forever. Randall should know: In a 1976 issue of Playboy, she also modeled for the magazine.

Barbara Ann Crumm, a model/photographer, who has worked with such erotic photographers as Cynthia Patterson, Richard Kern and Carlos Batts, concurs: In front of the camera, I actually feel stronger, more human, and more empowered as a woman.

The Model/Photographer Dynamic
And, finally, there remains one last question: Do the models feel more comfortable shooting with a photographer who is also female?

Absolutely, affirms Amy Rivera, who sees herself as both a fetish and pinup photographer. Not only have the models told me so, but Ive also heard this from other female photographers. Randall adds, Its probably because I actually get my work done during a shoot, instead of thinking about my hard-on the whole time and how Im going to try to get a date with the model.

Still, Chanta Rose, who has worked both as an erotic model as well as a photographer, has a different take on the matter: If a girl is so uncomfortable shooting in this industry, then she shouldnt be in the business. Rose shares that when she has worked as a model, her experiences with male photographers have actually been better. Female photographers are always picking apart my body, telling me how fat I am, or how my body doesnt work for a particular shoot. The male photographers, on the other, always like my body for what it is. They try to bring out the best in what they have to work with. Nonetheless, a quick glance at any photo by any one of the aforementioned female erotic photographers
what red-blooded male can argue that these talented women have not also brought out what's stunningly beautiful in the models displayed here?

Feature in "Transilvania Expres"

Finally I am getting some exposure in the land where my heart and soul is deeply rooted - Transilvania Expres" , local to Brasov , Romania , near where my grandparents and aunt reside, so they can finally see what I've been up to lately.
; )



In case you're curious, these were the interview questions:

I am of the understanding that you never studied photography.
So do you belive that the native talent is enough for being a good photographer?
What does someone need to being a good photographer?
Any way what mean "a good photographer"?

I never went to school for photography. I always believed that it's necessary to do so but today I know that most of my favorite photographers never had any formal education.

I don't believe that talent is enough to become a "good" photographer, or a successful one, or a photographer who can make a living.
I've seen photographers with no talent making a lot of money and I see lots of talent going to waste.
It would take quite some talent to make up for the rest.

Instead, I tracked down photographers I admired and assisted them, but it took persistence.
Persistence is the key, talent alone rarely goes anywhere.
I'd dare to say that it's 10% talent, and 90% persistence, hard work and not letting rejection discourage you.
And listen to your heart, and friends you trust and respect.

Tell me a few things about your photographic style. How is it?Is futurist? Is about post modernity?

This is a difficult question, I never thought about it.

Part of what I am trying to do is some sort of social commentary ,one way or another - my subject matters are quite varied, from nudes to celebrities to street kids that open up to me in intimate portraits.

I don't think in terms of future or past, there is just the present and my contribution to it all.
"Post Modernism" is a bit to arty and pretentious for my personal tastes, because my work is about people and my relationship to them.

Tell me a few things about yours photos from the book of erotic photography. What are its about? What is the message of your erotic photos?

Honestly, I hate the selection in the erotic book.

I think my work has evolved quite a bit since I was working with TASCHEN on the edit of that book.
I don't see myself or my work represented in there, however, it's been a great honor to be in the book, even though I am not so crazy about the edit.
The book is very much about the editors personal tastes and less about the photographers vision and what their work really is about, so I feel that a wrong impression comes across, which I personally don't mind though.
Whoever is interested in finding out more about me and my work can do so, and I got to meet and work with Diane Hanson and Eric Kroll, and they are iconic figures in the world of TASCHEN and the international photography and art world.

Where is the line between photographic art and pornography?

I don't think there is one really - eroticism is widely ranged.
If someone is aroused by a bottle of Coca Cola, does that make it pornography?
Subjectively, yes - which would be absurd if generalized.
A friend of mine for instance is obsessed with feet - and nothing else can arouse him. Others however, don't find feet sexy at all.
Therefore this question is very difficult to answer.
But in general, pornography is more and more present in mainstream advertising and imagery, and that speaks for itself...

Your erotic photos, in generally, what are about? Feminity? Sexuality? Which is your message about woman?In general

I'm aware that some of my images are considered erotic to some but what it's really about is stripping down women of the obvious sexual posture and gestures - instead, I want to get a glimpse of who they really are, their spirit and vulnerability , which goes beyond just taking off their clothes and looking sexy.

I love flaws, imperfection - that's where true beauty lies.
Another part of my erotic work is of course a reflection of myself - portraying women without fear of who they really are, and without fear of their flaws and imperfections.

It took a long time for me to accept myself with my flaws and who I am. Today I feel comfortable in my own skin and I think I extended that into my work.

What do you know about Romania and what mean for you the romanian heritage? Do you ever visit the country?

Romania, or Transilvania has been a very important part of my life and growing up.
Since I was very little, my parents too my sister and I several times a year to Romania, where my Grandparents and Aunt live (Tîrgu Mures).

I basically experienced the incredible poverty of Romania under the Ceausescu regime, contrasting with my luscious life in Western Germany of the 80s it was sometimes difficult to find my identity and where I really belong.

I grew up with an easter european mentality in a western country and that doesn't always mix because the cultures are so different from each other.
My parents never really felt home in Germany and neither did I, which made it easy for me to leave Germany at some point.

How do you decide to be photographer? And why do you choose the erotic photography?

I never decided to become a photographer, it just happened. I was constantly drawn to the instant gratification of imagery - as a child I used to draw, and make things, like out of Play-doh, or I'd draw on my skin (which lead to getting tattooed later on in my life).

Erotic photography is just one aspect of my work, I'd rather describe it as nude portraiture, if there is such a word?
First I picked it because it was easy and I found little rejection in that subject matter. When I started shooting nudes, I was one of a small group of women, compared to today.

Now I found a channel for many other things, nudity opens doors, nudity takes away from time, fashion, wealth.
Being nude, we're all the same, aren't we?

Tell me a few things about the exeperience of being photographer for magazines? How is it?

It's sometimes exciting but often frustrating.
There is always the fine line between wanting to express myself freely and the censorship or edit of the Magazines.
Lots of the Magazine work is low pay so it's important to me that I can do what I want, or at least as much as possible, but that doesn't always work.
Otherwise, what's the point? What people see in print is a reflection of my work and who I am so I'd prefer that as unfiltered as possible.
I am one of those "rebels", you know ....
I piss art directors off because I am very stubborn.

Do you have any famous client (magazines or celebrities?)

I do shoot a lot of celebrities but they're not neccesseraly my favorite subject matters, only because they are famous.
I've photographed some really great musicians lately and I am grateful for the opportunity - one of the more known ones being Daft Punk, which was quite an honor!

If I see right you have some tatoos? What is their story?
Tell me some things about you (are in love? hobby? a usual day from your life?, strong and weak points?)

I started getting tattooed when I was 17 - I was a runaway kid and a little rebel. I felt that I'll always want to be reminded of who I am and I wasn't afraid that tattoos are permanent - and today I am thankful for my courage.
After some years, my tattoos became a diary that marked different stages of my life, which probably applies to most people getting tattoos.

Hobby wise, I love to read and travel, and I am currently dating a very talented director / photographer who lives in New York.
I think the chemistry is there and the rest is just a little bit of patch work - cause nobody's perfect.

BIGSHOT Magazine - Neon Neon and Lady Tigra

The new issue of BIGSHOT Magazine is out with 2 features I've shot....

Electronica duo Neon Neon, consisting of Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and Boom Bip




and The Lady Tigra- formerly known as one half of the duo L'Trimm.





My friend Bert Spangemacher shot Santogold for this issue's cover.
Check it out!

Retouching was done -as always- by Kristen Lotto @ Gloss Studios NYC.

I LOVE YOU, BIATCH!!!!!

INKED MAGAZINE - March 2008 : "Do Not Disturb" Editorial

Check out the story "Do Not Disturb" that I shot for the March '08 Issue of INKED Magazine- styled by Risa Knight.
You can see the complete story here.