Who is Dennis? And what is this all about?
My name is Dennis M. Bettin; I am a photographic artist who lives in the Milwaukee Wisconsin area. I am the one person who does all the work; I take the pictures, process the film (yeah I am still using film), scan the negatives, do the Adobe Photoshop work, create the Web pages, answer the phone and sweep the floor (when I can no longer find it). It's a one-person operation (O.K. I am going to start thinking about finding an assistant).

Why do you photographic the nude?
There has been an evolution of my work from pure landscapes, to Playboy type images, to different kinds of images in-between and finally this is the work I find the most interesting and satisfying.

The simple answer is, this is the work that I enjoy the most and if you are planning to perform work, do the work that you enjoy. But remember it is work that takes away from other activities. When creating an image the "taking the picture" of a fine-art nude is; of course a very small part of the process. For every hour spent photographing, there are endless hours involved in processing the film, scanning, editing, making test images, re-editing, re-printing and finally producing the final prints, web page images and book (publishing) images.

I am also finding that when working with the fine art nude, that the work can take many directions and as with any form of art, the images has moved through many stages of development. Over the years my images and the thought process has changed, evolved. The introduction of current events can be seen in the images, an example is the current project and gas mask series.

For a while I was only working outdoors with the nude (which is somewhat limiting in Wisconsin). The landscape and the nude is a very important part of my work and I will continue in this area. But I am also looking at expanding the "outdoor" work to different environments and landscapes. More work will be done in the Yosemite area, the Lake Superior area, around Milwaukee and northern Wisconsin. But I am also looking at the cities and small villages again.

I once found a Porta-John on a hiking trail in a forest area in northern Wisconsin. No idea why it was there, but I spent many hours working with a model in and around the darn thing. Nothing great was produced from the shoot but the model and I still laugh about it and we actually planned a second shoot in the area that would have included the Porta-John. We returned several weeks later and it was gone. Remind me that I need to report to Homeland security we have a Porta-John missing.

With any art work the artist wants to push some limits and experiment with others. I find that working with the nude, the social acceptance is changing and it is possible to create images today that would not be accepted years ago. But one must be aware and concerned that the fine art nude work not be confused with pornography. But does this mean it should lack any and all types of sexual overtones? And who defines the limitations. O.K. Enough.

Why don't you photograph men?
Very little interest in working with the male nude. Don't get me wrong, many excellent images have been produced by fine art photographers do work with male nudes. It is not only my own preference, but I have found that not only men, but also an overwhelming number of women prefer female nudes.

The exception has been when working with a female/male couple. In this case the female model usually provides the male model or suggests a male model or two that she wants to work with. In this case both subjects must be comfortable with either and it must be understood that we want to maintain strict any artistic integrity while modeling and in the final image.

Plus the bad experiences I have had working with males and females. I have had some models, which wanted to "work together for other reasons", and this has created a very hostile working environment and relationship. I have also had male models call me on the phone asking (even begging) to work with a female model, making me wonder what was the real reason "why they were calling and asking was". I have never had a female call asking to work with a male model. Some have suggested boyfriends or male friend that may be interested as working as a male model.

There is no political correctness saying I must have an equal amount of males and female images. And I only work with the male when it is acceptable to the female model in the image. Strict rules are established on what will happen when they are together and it is fully understood what the final images will look like. Remember it is my name on the bottom of the print.

Should males call?
Yes, but remember that I only work with couples and that the female model has say in the picking of the model. An ideal male model should be a body builder, classical dancer, open-minded when working with female models and respectful of the female co-model.

Where do you find models?
Two ways, I usually run an ad in the local paper or collage/school newspaper when needing models for a new project. Or thru word of mouth, where a model will find me. Often, friends of models that I have worked with call me and ask for work or suggest images they would like to create and be a part of. There are lots of women (of all ages) who are eager to model for high quality nude photography.

I have been photographing the fine art nude for years. During this time, I have created friendships with models. Some of these models have worked for me on and off for years. But I will try to work with as many new faces and people as I can.

One way or another, women interested in modeling seem to get in contact with me asking if so and so modeled for me and could she. More often I now receive e-mail from potential models that are interested in modeling for me. Some sending pictures some with just a lot of questions. I try to answer every e-mail that I receive. But I noticed that with all the SPAM and junk mail, some e-mails might get ignored or deleted. Please place in the subject line a reference to "wanting to fine-art model", it get my attention faster.

Finally answering business card. It seems over the years I have given out a zillion or more business cards and some are finally making there way home to me attached to an interested model.

How do you pick which person will model for you?
This is the hardest part of the job. I interview many new people each year.

First most who go thru the interview process, are the ones who determine if they want to model for me. By this I mean, I reject very few people, most after thinking about over a period of time, determine if this is what they want to do.

Remember, most of my work is done with non-professional models. I find students and every day people to be excellent models. The non-professional models come with open minds will to try things and have fun and experience what it is to model. They lack the restriction training that many models receive at modeling school.

The interviews.
Every new model will receive two interviews. The first interview is usually given at a neutral spot like a coffee shop (Star Bucks gets a lot of my business when I am interviewing). I do this for two reasons, first to protect the model and second to put the model at ease. I insist on this and so should the any model. I am not saying that I have any thing to hide and I do not, but for safety sake, it is easier to walk away from a Star Bucks than someone's house. From some of the stories that models have told me, there are some very weird photographers out there. And as one TV program said, "let's be careful out there".

During the first interview I discuss the work I am currently doing, the work I want to do, the work I am not doing, what images I am trying to produce, the why's, the where's and so on. I try to answer every question that the potential model has. The first interview lasts about 90 minutes or so. I also explain what will occur during the second interview. During the first interview, I will answer any and all questions the model may have, and I also fill her full of coffee soda or hot chocolate. I do insist that the new model understand several things from the interview:

· First they should feel comfortable about me and the work I am creating and that any questions she has regarding my work and projects are answered.

· Second if and should they model for me they will most likely be published in some form (web, fine-art show, book, magazine). This is very important to understand, if publication interferes with work goals, family values, etc. then this form of modeling may not be for you.

· Third this is hard work and most of the time it will be fun and rewarding.

· Forth, there is no reset button when it comes to this. By this I mean be sure, think it over and make the discussion to fine art nude model only after you are sure. I had one model who worked/modeled for me twice, did a fantastic job, enjoyed it then freaked when she released the whole world may see her naked, including her friends and family. Too late.

I always ask the new model to think it over for 24 hours and to talk it over with friends and family. Once a decision is made, then contact me tell me what the decision is and we go from there. If the new model wishes to start her career as a fine art model then a second interview is setup.

The second interview usually occurs at my house. Here is where we discuss how the new model will fit into my projects and what her limits are. Some models only want to model alone or outdoors, or with females, etc. These limits are discussed and noted. And understand one's person limits changes based on experiences and the environment, what is a set of limits today may be completely different the next time. We also discuss which projects she may wish to work in, example the box top nudes or outdoors in waterfalls.

During the second interview, other images not created by me are shown to the new model and discussed, along with other past work that I have done. If all is agreeable and we wish to proceed, the model is finally asked to "get naked" and documentation digital image is taken. I now ask to see the models body after some surprises were encountered a few years ago (nothing bad, just forget to tell me type things) At this point in time we discuss which dates will work and specifics are set-up for the first photo shoot and a big handshake is given.

What happens during a photo shoot and how much say does the model have?
Before any model is invited to a photo shoot, a general discussion describing the assignment is given to the model. I will explain where the shoot will take place, for how long, who will be there, what other models, what the intent of the shoot will be, how much coffee, hot chocolate or soda will be will be in the freezer, cooler or what have you.

Understand no photo shoot is that planned out with so much detail that I could tell you everything that will happen. I do not plan a cookbook of images that I want to take/produce during a single photo shoot. I do not expect to get 6 of these, 10 of these, a dozen of this or that. As I shoot I see images/things and we go with it. This allows for a creative process to take place.

Also each model brings different energy and ideas to a photo shoot. And the better the model the more ideas and energy. For any photographer to be successful, the energy of the model mush be incorporated into the photograph and the final image. It is not just the exchange of ideas, but also the successful execution of these ideas that makes great images.

How much input does the model have, a lot. Not every idea is used, but I do solicit input from the model and exchange ideas with them. We may not use the idea during the current shoot, but it may get incorporated in the next shoot.

What happens if a print gets used?
Whenever an image is used in a show or publication I try to notify the model in advance and provide an image for the model. I say try because many times a model moves or changes phone numbers and I an unable to contact her. Even email address becomes disconnected. I have boxes of images waiting on the model to contact me.

If an image is used in a show I create a model proof of the image, along with the photographers proof and the limited edition prints. This model proof is intended for the model that helped create the image.

Does the models name get used? What information given out.
Generally no. I do create titles of images where the first name of the model is sometimes used. Normally, I never use the models full name. It creates a personal attachment to the image, where as Forest Nude #13 does not. My full name is always on the image, since I am the creator.

Related to models, I never give out information on models. I have received calls where people want to meet the model, or hire the model, or what ever with the model, so no information related to models is released. In each of these calls I ask to caller to provide: full name, phone number, reference information, what the caller's intent is and this information is forwarded to the model, with the understand that this is a cold call. If the model wishes to contact the called it is the models decision.

I have had moms and dads call to ask if their daughter is modeling for me and I always explain to each caller, Sorry I do not give out model information.

Examples:
I have several examples of pictures of one of my favorite models; her name is Kristy. She has modeled for me on and off for several years now and appears on web numerous pages. She emailed me to setup the first interview and when we meet I was very impressed with her. She only required a single interview and had no problem getting naked in a public place during the interview (a very remarkable interview). She is a college graduate and had never modeled before meeting me (she had been in plays and shows before but no real modeling). Her first session was an outdoor session in the cold near a park in Wisconsin, she did a remarkable job and several images were created from the session. Her last studio session was her best session, I am still finding images from it and am creating wonderful 11x14 inch (and larger prints). I am currently trying to schedule another session with her, however her job/work keeps getting in the way. She does fabulous work when she can find the time to model.

Kristy has modeled both indoors and outdoors and has done numerous sessions with the gas mask and the box. She is the first model that I have body painted. She is also the lucky one that we experimented with her body with different paints making sure they would come off and not cause any problems (like will it come off, does it itch, any after effects, how easy to apply, etc.). One important thing to note, she is very ticklish and may not be the best subject to use a paint brush or air brush on (unless you like watching the model jump as you touch her and call you names after awhile). She has also created a number of interesting rings in my bathtub (which I am still trying to get out). I am currently using her image in ads and on my web site.

Finally the filmstrip (along side), is a three shoot in a row with an 18-year-old first time model; named Rosa. Again it is just a sample of work being done with students as models with little or no modeling experience.

What else?
Do not know. I will add to this page as time allows and as questions are asked. If you have an unanswered question, drop me an email at:
mailto:FAQ@photographic-arts.com?subject=FAQ regarding modeling .