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** AT THE SHOPPE **
"Oh, we are running late. Today we have several clients to photograph. These are all gay male couples that want a professional photo book expressing their feeling for each other. They will dress however they like but they have all expressed that they want some artistic nude shots. We must not intrude on the mutual love or present any seduction from the outside. Being casual and/or nude will set the mood. But we must be careful not to be seductive. I will be wearing khakis with a polo shirt. You, I want to be in the skimpy black running shorts, tank top, and barefoot. You job is to be a `boy Friday'. I will teach you, along the way, how to adjust lights, wire them to the cameras, set up props, etc. I do want you to be careful not to expose yourself in those shorts. I want the feeling that it might happen but not actually let it happen. You must be a gentleman in slutty attire! All the while you are working as a silent helper." "I get it. I can do it. I see how you might be a very good photographer. This is the second time I've worked with you now. I see how you pay attention to even the mood and ambiance of the studio. You work the client's minds so you can get the photos they want. This shoot and the Gay Glamour shoot require a totally different atmosphere. You knew it and made it happen without the client even being cognizant! Let's go get it done!"
Snowflake is unreal. He is quick to learn and has an innate sense of the mind-body connection. He relaxes or stimulates people as the situation suggests. He is non-intrusive.
Our first clients are a couple that present in three-piece suits and ready for some wedding style portraits. Bill directs me to set up backdrops, reflectors, lights etc. He shows me how to connect everything together. He has me stand in various places so the subjects can focus their eyes on me for certain shots. For other shots they look at each other. Several shots are taken of them taking off each other's coats and vests. Several shots are taken of them wearing big smiles and casual shorts and polo shirts. We go outside to one of our meditation spots and get photos of them in the casual shorts attire, then with one in his underwear (tighty whities), then with both nude. We return inside and get some hot seductive shots with bedroom props. We took several hundred frames of this couple. When they leave, they are happy and express satisfaction that they can find enough photos to tell their story their way.
The next couple had a wide age difference and came in dressed to have fun! Snowflake was almost overdressed. They brought a puppy with them. We took several hundred shots of this couple. Some as formal as their racy attire would allow. Some almost of porn genre. My attire put them at ease doing their thing.
The third couple came in and after only a few shots with them dressed they got totally naked for the rest of the shoot. They were more sensual and less pornographic than the second couple. Shooting them was perhaps the hardest. They wanted non-posed sensuous loving artwork. Bill `accidently' spilled coffee down my front. I was looking shocked and distressed. "Hey, just take them dam things off and work comfortably. Nude is the way God made us and it is the most beautiful way and comfortable way to work." OK, this is different, but I certainly don't mind. "Thank you." I stripped off my little bit of clothing and worked as they suggested.
The day ended with this last couple. Snowflake was a natural. He played whatever role was required without a lot of prompting from me. I sensed with the last couple that Snowflake was reading the scene properly but just needed my "permission". The coffee trick was a natural and facilitated the transition. He just seems to "read" people. He has a great sense of just how far to take an idea and when to back off. He makes the transitions invisible. I can say it again; "...there was a gem inside that mud-covered rock!"
"Snowflake, you were absolutely astute and attuned all day. I've never had anyone work so flawlessly with the atmosphere and mood of my studio. Sorry about the coffee. I just felt you needed an excuse to do what you already knew was needed. You made my work much easier. We work well together." "Sir, I also sensed a nice smooth coordinated workspace. I'm not a take-charge type person. I felt, intuitively, what I needed to do all day. You quietly and un-obtrusively gave me your approval. We really do work well together. Perhaps it was no accident we met that morning at the diner!" "Well, I don't know about that. But I'm glad we did, and I've certainly enjoyed having you in my life for the last week. Let's go out and get dinner."