Photographer Name: Erick Kush
Nationality: Russian
Hometown: Los Angeles County
DOB: 1978
Sign: Scorpio
Website Links:
www.erickkush.com

www.myspace.com/erickphotography

www.modelmayhem.com/erickkush

Pixacom: How long have you been doing photography?
Erick Kush I have been doing photography for 12 years. However, I’ve been doing it mainly on the commercial side though. Creating product shots, catalogs, advertising was and is my forte. I have been photographing models for about 3 years now though.

Pixacom: Did you take any photography classes?
Erick Kush I graduated from Pepperdine with degree’s in Computer Science / Business. I took a lot of electives in graphic design. They offered the minor program the year after I graduated so I might have done a self made minor in graphic design. Then I took classes at OCC in Orange County with photography. But I was doing photography well before that.

Pixacom: How did you get started photographing beautiful women?
Erick Kush Aw, the age old question: how do you get to do what every man wants to do. Well, as I said, I was doing a lot of photography with commercial products and had a lot of equipment already stored up. So I decided to take the next step. I think my true passion would be high fashion, so I took the next logical step.

Pixacom: How did you feel with your first model shoot?
Erick Kush Oh, I was nervous. I was thinking to myself, if I screw this up they are going to get pissed at me. I better make sure that I get the right stuff!

Pixacom: Would you say you are pretty comfortable now?
Erick Kush As with most things, the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel doing it. So now it’s fairly easy and comfortable. I love to joke around and take a more comical standpoint. At the same time I love to make the model feel sexy. It really brings it out in the pictures.

Pixacom: Where would you say you get your inspiration from?
Erick Kush I get my inspiration from a lot of things. The more you start photographing the more you start seeing the world as what a good location would be to shoot at. You start looking at other peoples work and getting ideas on how I would have shot that scenario. Just the beauty around us is something that makes you want to capture it in one magnificent picture. Women and the female body, I believe, are one of God’s greatest creations.

Pixacom: What would the average model say about your style of photography?
Erick Kush They say that they like my vibrant colors and stance of how they look.

Pixacom: What type of camera equipment are you shooting with today?
Erick Kush I’m a huge canon fan! And their “L” series lenses cannot be touched. Arri tungsten lights are fantastic, but also Alien Bee strobes are great for location shots.

Pixacom: Is there any equipment you'd love to have?
Erick Kush I would love to have a Hasselblad with a P 45+ phase one digital back. That set up makes me drool.

Pixacom: What are your opinions on digital vs. film?
Erick Kush I was trained originally on film. But now that digital has jumped leaps and bounds, I think it really is the only way to go. It just skips so many steps in the darkroom that the trade off is so much more worth it.

Pixacom: Do you work with a modeling agency?
Erick Kush No, but I have worked for modeling companies.

Pixacom: Are there any websites you would suggest for photographers looking to break into the business?
Erick Kush Oh definitely. There are some great companies that you can do photography workshops for. There are just so many that you can google. Just make sure you do your research. One of my favorites clothing companies I have worked for is Teaseum.com.

Pixacom: What's the worst experience you've had working in model photography?
Erick Kush A model hadn’t seen any of my work or knew if I new anything about photography. She treated me as if I was beneath even looking at her. One of the mightier than thou moments. Needless to say, I shot a few pictures and said, “Ok, you can leave now.”

Pixacom: What's the best part about working in model photography?
Erick Kush You get to meet so many people that are energetic and willing to see what type of art you can produce for them. Even if it’s just a simple shoot.

Pixacom: What's next for your portfolio?
Erick Kush Ooo, I’d like to get some heavy sci-fi type stuff. Fashion with a sci-fi twist.

Pixacom: Have you been requested to travel for your photography?
Erick Kush Yes, I’ve flown out to Jamaica and was asked to fly to a private island in the Bahaman’s. I also travel to Las Vegas and all over Southern California quite a bit.

Pixacom: If you had the opportunity to shoot a celebrity actress who would that be and why?
Erick Kush I would love to photograph Heidi Cloom. She is just so incredible with her natural beauty, that you can do most any type of scenario with her.

Pixacom: What female music artist would you like to work with?
Erick Kush Actually Janet Jackson. I think she has a lot of charisma and personality. All of that shows in your pictures.

Pixacom: Have you had any of your photography work published commercially?
Erick Kush Yes of course, but mainly product work.

Pixacom: Where do you see your photography taking you 5 years from now?
Erick Kush To a new understanding of the human response on any type of photograph. I would love to be in a spot where everyone in a particular industry says, “If you want the best, you go to Erick.”

Pixacom: Anything you'd like to say to all the models reading this right now?
Erick Kush Don’t be afraid to let the photographer create art. You might be pleasantly surprised as to what they might do.

Pixacom: Last call. Anyone you wanna give a shot out to?
Erick Kush My Parents, my brother and sister in law. To all my family and friends. Last but not least, TeaseUm!

photos and interview submitted by Erick Kush