Q+A with
James Graham
Q: What are your photographic
roots... how did you get started in photography?
A: My Dad gave me a
Kodak Brownie Super 8 film camera when I was 12. I shot a bunch
of stuff with ketchup death that I thought was cool. Little did
I know that I was actually figuring out composition, editing, wardrobe
and special effects (beyond ketchup). My Mom took me to Fotomat
to get it developed and Santa Claus brought me a projector for
XMAS.
Q: What lead you to
start shooting erotica?
A: I like women. I really
like naked women. I'm a straight male. And most importantly, I
found out that I can do it fairly well.
Q: What was your most
awkward incident while shooting?
A: There have been a
couple. Most have involved time of the month kind of scenarios.
But no jealous boyfriends. My favorite was the husband that sat
around and read KERRANG! and constantly suggested more provocative
wardrobe for his wife. One of the best shoots I've ever had.
Q: You shoot with film
still.... why not embrace the digital world?
A: I cannot disassociate
myself with the grain that film offers. In order to replicate what
I do digitally, you have to employ all sorts of "fake film" filters.
And no one who knows is fooled, including most of the public who
doesn't know. More than anything, it's a style. And I just hope
to God that when Fuji decides to stop making Neopan 1600, they
send me what they've got in the warehouse.
Q: What inspires you
before during and after a shoot?
A: The model. my pre-production
brainstorming with the model, and the pictures in my mind.
Q: Who would you really
love to shoot? Doing what? And why?
A: PJ Harvey. Wearing
nothing but white knee-high boots on a bed of black feathers. Why?
Because she's, well, not responding to my emails...
Q: Does shooting erotica
affect the way others see you?
A: I'm an adult. My
girlfriend is my biggest supporter. My parents know what I do and
are proud of it. This is my art. I absolutely do not care what
anyone else thinks...
Q: Have you seen a trend
toward acceptance of the genre, explain?
A: The Internet makes
everything, and I mean everything accessible. I think that is good.
However, it's what the individual does with it that is important.
Q: Advice to a model?
A: Do not be stupid.
This is your life. Meet with every photographer in advance. Get
references, many of them. Be very clear about your limitations.
Very clear. Most importantly, protect yourself. And if you choose
not to do any of the above - quit now. There is nothing more depressing
to me than hearing stories from people I work with that reinforce
the Guy With Camera scenario, which resonates throughout the industry
and makes us all look bad. |
