Sebastian Kim is one of my favorite portraiture photographers. He has shot for Alexander Wang, H&M, Nina Ricci, W, Interview, Vogue, Vogue Germany/China/Japan/Russia, Muse, The New Yorker and more. Kim has a way of removing the fantasy from the image while still leaving his subjects untouchable. The images he creates are provocative and artistic. Here is a great interview with Kim, I suggest checking it out as his advice doesn't just apply to photography but to all things in life. "Don't get discouraged". 
http://www.thegroundmag.com/sebastian-kim-an-interview-with/

He's on Tumblr follow him here: 
http://sebastiankim.tumblr.com/

The work of Alice Hawkins based out of the UK reminds me of bubble gum, 1970's glamour and good old fashioned debauchery. I like viewing her images because there is something that makes me uncomfortable about them. They are almost too voyeuristic. Read more about her and her work by selecting the link below. http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG4526198/Alice-Hawkins-photography-and-fashion.html

Her portfolio is here: 
http://www.alicehawkins.com/

I was contacted today by a company claiming that I owed them $1,025 for the use of an image on this very post. I have since removed the image - it has been replaced with the "SCAM ALERT" image I created above. Here is what they sent me: 

What struck me as being odd is that while there are THREE images linking back to the original artists' work - only one image is being named as a copyright infringement? 
What was even more odd is this is a fairly obvious example of Fair Use. What is Fair Use? 

FAIR USE: 
Fair use is a US legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. It is similar to the fair dealing doctrines used in some countries outside the United States. While according to the Supreme Court fair use is an affirmative defense, in Lenz v. Universal Music Corp.,[1] (the "dancing baby" case), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded that fair use was not merely a defense to an infringement claim, but was an expressly authorized right, and an exception to the exclusive rightsgranted to the author of a creative work by copyright law. "Fair use is therefore distinct from affirmative defenses where a use infringes a copyright, but there is no liability due to a valid excuse, e.g., misuse of a copyright." Examples of fair use in United States copyright law include commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, and scholarship. Although related, the limitations and exceptions to copyright for teaching and library archiving in the U.S. are located in a different section of the statute. Fair use provides for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.
The term "fair use" originated in the United States.[2] A similar-sounding principle, fair dealing, exists in some other common law jurisdictions but in fact it is more similar in principle to the enumerated exceptions found under civil law systems. Civil law jurisdictions have other limitations and exceptions to copyright.
Fair use is one of the traditional safety valves intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.
*taken from Wiki here is the link 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

​When I contacted a representative at LCS and advised her of "Fair Use" on this post and how it links back to the original artist, her response was "well the other images are linked and that one is not so you need to purchase a license for that". 

Uh, no. 

I then told her I would remove the image in question (which I have done). 

Then I Googled LCS and things got interesting.... 

I found that they have a habit of sending out these extortion letters and making license payment demands. What I think they do is run an algorithm searching for linked images and then send out these letters - casting a wide net to see who is going to pay them. Kind of like the emails you'd get from the "Rich guy in Africa that needs you to send him $5,000 and once he gets that he'll mail you a check for a Million Dollars". Remember that one? Cute. 

Here's some great info for you besides fair use in case you get one of these extortion letters: 

“…with copyright, you only have to pay if (1) they have registered it via the copyright office and (2) they can prove damages. BOTH are required. This is true of anything that is copyrighted. If copyrighted but not registered, all they can ask for is you to remove it (cease and desist).”


So there you go. I removed the image they requested be removed and NO, I will NOT pay out $1,025 for a Fair Use image. Super gross that companies like this exist and are TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ARTISTS AND THEIR WORK. 

Don't be a victim to this kind of garbage. 

​Elle 

Yes, you read that right. I use coconut oil to wash my face. I won't take my makeup off with anything else. It cleanses, moisturizes and has anti-bacterial properties. It's perfect for sensitive skin (mine hates anything chemical) and smells wonderful. Not only that but its really inexpensive, and easy to find. I purchase my coconut oil at Trader Joe's for less than $7 and it will last me more than four months. You can also use it for hair conditioner (increases hair growth) and a body moisturizer. It's great for massages, and even intimate use. As with all new things being introduced to your skin try a little patch test area to ensure you're not sensitive to the oil prior to slathering it all over your face. 

Coconut oil comes in a jar in and is solid at room temperature. Don't be intimidated by this! It's going to take off all of your makeup and moisturize your face at the same time. 

Step one: Wet a clean washcloth with warm but not hot water. 

Step two: Scoop out a dime sized amount of oil and melt in the palm of your hands by rubbing together. 

Step three: Apply the melted oil to your face with your hands in an upward motion being careful not to pull or stress your skin. 

Step four: Take the warm, wet washcloth and hold it over your face for about 30 seconds to help soften and remove your makeup. 

Step five: wipe away your makeup with an upward motion and voila! You're ready for toner. I recommend witch hazel. I'll post about the benefits of using witch hazel for everything from face toner to healing tattoos quickly in another blog. 

If you try this out please give it at least 30 days, your skin takes 28 days to regenerate. I'm curious if you like it! Let me know if this works for you! I think you'll really like it! 

 

The photo pictured is a tear from my portfolio. I am pictured with Jon and Matt of Elite Models Chicago. I started modeling professionally at the age of 16, signed with Eleanor Moore (Now Moore creative). 

Modeling wasn't what I expected. I was a student in art school, taking photography classes myself. I didn't think about ever being in front of the camera. It wasn't until I was booked for this shoot with photographer Tony Duran that I really understood what was so appealing to me about "Fashion" Photography. 

Tony sat me down while we had breakfast and told me that I was an actor. I was invoking a feeling to create a moment, an image that was pure fantasy. Everything fashion stood for was image creation. We get up in the morning, dress ourselves and project to the world the character we want to play. It is essential to our lives. As a woman I can put on a dress and play demure or sexy, throw on some jeans and be simple and pretty. I was in control of the image I projected. I was the player. He was just there to observe and capture the moment as I projected it. I took his words to heart and began to compose in my mind the person I wanted  him to capture.

I studied him as he worked. Watched him move and create an image. I asked him questions constantly wanting to know his process. Never tiring of my inquisitions he spouted terms and phrases in my direction I didn't understand completely as I drank in his passion for the medium. He checked his watch cursing the time of day, and explained how he wanted his shots "in the best light" explaining the "golden hour". We rushed from location to location racing the sun and he sang his demands while the three of us eagerly complied. The images from this shoot are timeless. 

Tony still inspires me today. I look to his work and strive to demonstrate the same level of fantasy in my images. The fantasy and connection. The trust the models have for him and his work, knowing that he will make the ruse a little more real in that captured moment. His work continues to be timeless and beautiful. Please check out more of his work here: 

http://www.tonyduran.net