Shoot: The art of being a muse

For the second time (thus far) I have had the pleasure of working as a figure model forPeter J Crowley. This is something that I have been doing off and on for about 10 years now. However, working with the half dozen or so "photographers" (some were just dirty old men with cameras), Peter by far surpasses them all.

It began in September when I got a random forwarded email from a friend who knew of a paying gig for a figure model. By the time I jumped on the opportunity it was too late. Thank God models are flaky, because I got a last minute email wanting to know if I was still available.

Round one was challenging because there were two artists with polar opposite ideas and I was the mediating force between them. One moment I was trailing down a glamor photo shoot, the next I was being pulled back towards a more traditional sense. I made it through and both photographers were happy with the work they got that day.

The progression of this process is complex in it's beauty and communication. It begins with where are we going and what are we doing, both realizing the shoot will take us where ever we need to go.

In the begining there is a healthy banter between the two of us, playfully working up to the report that requires one of us to be naked. Peter appreciates that I somewhat understand what he tries to do in his photography, and I believe he is a master at capturing light and space.

From there we move into the ephemoral period that will be captured on flim. Peter pick up his camera. Muddy Waters slips and sooths his way into the space. The warm up of stretches and poses and laughter continue. Then it's finally there.

Our two psyches merge as one when I see the passion spark across Peter's eyes, through his lens and catching my spirit in one brief moment.

That brief moment for me is an expression of my feminity and sexuality. I am validated as a beautiful woman. This is so different from dancing. I am not defiled. I am not alone and trying to make the lonely feel a little less. I am free in this moment. I allow my soul to slip out and shine.