Photographer Name: Joe Rainey
Nationality: American
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
DOB: July 30, 1964
Sign: Leo
Website Links: www.MySpace.com/joecoolphotos www.modelmahyem.com profile 417023

Pixacom: How long have you been doing photography?
Joe Rainey: I’ve been taking pictures for several years, but I’ve only done professional imaging for a little over a year. TO me, there’s a huge difference between pictures and images.

Pixacom: Did you take any photography classes?
Joe Rainey: No. I studied with a 30 year professional glamour photographer. He taught me about light, angles, creativity and post production. He took me from taking pictures, to making images.

Pixacom: How did you get started photographing beautiful women?
Joe Rainey: I’m a guy, and guys love to look at beautiful women. One day I decided, why should I just look at the photos, when I can create them myself. Of course my profiles have sample images as my main image, and I get hit on by guys several times a day. I hate disappointing them, but I tell them I’m not the pretty models. I just now told one guy I was a straight male photographer. He wrote me back and said, “So you’re not the girl in the picture”?

Pixacom: How did you feel with your first model shoot?
Joe Rainey: As nervous as a virgin on prom night. I thought photographing beautiful women would be a piece of cake. Was I ever wrong! I was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, and sweating worse than a cold beer on a hot day. I got through the shoot ok, and the pictures turned out just fine.

Pixacom: Would you say you are pretty comfortable now?
Joe Rainey: There’s nothing better than creating a great image for a beautiful model. I love hearing, “ewww, I love that one, and that one, and oh, I just love this one”! Creating those responses, from some of the most beautiful women in the country, requires that I make them comfortable with me, and that I’m comfortable, and confident in myself as a professional. I work with the pretty girls next door, and work with full-time professional models. I’m very comfortable with every beautiful woman that steps in front of my camera.

Pixacom: Where would you say you get your inspiration from?
Joe Rainey: I get inspiration from a variety of resources. But once a shoot begins, and we’ve done some routine poses, the model begins to get loose and comfortable, and I just say, “Work the camera”. The next thing I know, we’ve created some fantastic images together – the two of us. No great image is without collaboration; it takes a great model, so models themselves are the best inspiration of all.

Pixacom: What would the average model say about your style of photography?
Joe Rainey: I have women all across the country asking me to come there to photograph them, and women driving up to 6 hours just to work with me, and get my images for their portfolios. I have had nothing but positive feedback from all models I’ve spoken with, from new to amateur, from experienced to full-time professionals. I even have some models that will come in a minutes notice if I ask them to shoot again. That speak volumes about how the models feel about my style and my images. In words, they say they just love my creative, diverse style, and can’t wait to work with me.

Pixacom: What type of camera equipment are you shooting with today?
Joe Rainey: I use a Nikon D100 camera, with Interfit flash lighting and reflectors.

Pixacom: Is there any equipment you'd love to have?
Joe Rainey: I’d LOVE to have some more lights, hot lights, a generator, and another computer with a larger monitor. All in good time.

Pixacom: What are your opinions on digital vs. film?
Joe Rainey: Why is this the hardest question to answer? Film is not outdated. It’s the preferred method for most pure, photographic artists. It requires technical perfection. Digital is a great tool, it creates fantastic images, and images you can review immediately, and make corrections to lighting and poses right away. It’s also cheaper, especially since most portfolios and even magazines are going online, I can create web images easier, and give the models and my clients exactly what they want, and quicker.

Pixacom: Do you work with a modeling agency?
Joe Rainey: No. I wouldn’t rule out working with an agency, but I love the freedom to choose who I want to photograph, and where and when. If an agency would want to use me, I would be honored. I just wouldn’t want to take something I love so much, and turn it in to a job.

Pixacom: Are there any websites you would suggest for photographers looking to break into the business?
Joe Rainey: My best suggestion is Model Mayhem. There some fantastic forums and discussions that take place. I would suggest finding a topic you want to know more about, and read the various responses. There’s no formula for success, but by reading the postings there, you can get a better idea of what it’s like to be a model photographer, and what you might read may even make you think twice about doing it. I love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I tell people who envy me, it takes on average of 10 hours to create 1 great image. That includes marketing, networking, model searches, location searches, interviewing, photo selection, editing and so on. This is a business, like any other business, and it isn’t easy. Be committed! And yes, it does have its fun days and perks too!

Pixacom: What's the worst experience you've had working in model photography?
Joe Rainey: I hadn’t been working with models for very long, but had an opportunity to shoot with a full-time Playboy model. Talk about being nervous. It was an outside shoot with a car, and this was summer in Florida, and that means rain. Her travel schedule was extremely tight, and I had few chances to work with her on this project. The first day we cancelled because of thunderstorms. The next day started out beautiful, but the evening brought more rain. She came over to the location and we shot anyway. Someone held an umbrella over me, and someone else held a picnic table umbrella over her. It rained, but I got my shot. It was the strangest shoot that either of us had done. That was the day I learned to be prepared for anything.

Pixacom: What's the best part about working in model photography?
Joe Rainey: It sounds so cliché, but the best part is the people you meet, including the models themselves. I wrote a blog once about friendship and loyalty in this business. Modeling and photography can be cut-throat at times. I said I don’t want to fit in to that stereotypical mold, and because of it I may never succeed in this business. But if I meet some great people, and forge true friendships, then I’m happy and blessed to have been a photographer. My career has taken off, and those people are still my friends. A couple of the models, including professional models, have even become my closest friends. Cliché it may be, but I can call some of the hottest women in the country on the phone, and just talk about life. Not too shabby for an over 40 guy who gets carded at the burger joint by a high school kid at the register - AARP carded that is. I couldn’t even lie to get the discount.

Pixacom: What's next for your portfolio?
Joe Rainey: I’ve worked a lot with models and cars and choppers. There’s a whole world of great glamour imaging to explore, and I intend to explore it all. I’d like to work with some qualified models on some FHM or Maxim Style glamour, and venture away from just bikini shoots. It’s about being creative, and exploring the possibilities. Too many people want the same image, just a different face. While that’s great, and I love it, there’s too many opportunities for great images than just a hot model in a skimpy bikini (and no, I’m not complaining about that J ).

Pixacom: Have you been requested to travel for your photography?
Joe Rainey: I am constantly being asked to travel. I have models across the entire South that want me to photograph them, and as far away as Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, New York and Michigan. If I had a sponsor, or if it were a paid shoot, I’d be there in a minute. I have traveled throughout Florida and in to Georgia, but traveling isn’t always in my budget. I will be going to Los Angeles in February to work with some of the country’s most beautiful and talented models for a calendar project, and I’m extremely excited about this opportunity.

Pixacom: If you had the opportunity to shoot a celebrity actress who would that be and why?
Joe Rainey: I take back one of my previous answers. This is now the toughest question. But I will answer the first name that popped in to my head when I read this question – Salma Hayek. Salma is one of the most gorgeous women in the world. She displays charm, class, style grace and dignity. I have a list of a thousand names of women I’d love to photograph, but Salma is at the very top of that list.

Pixacom: What female music artist would you like to work with?
Joe Rainey: I’m a country boy. I enjoy all kinds of music, but I’m country from head to toe. I could say Faith Hill or Shania Twain, but my answer is still Sherrie Austin. Sherrie has had a few albums, and several hit songs, but her beauty is beyond comparison. There isn’t a photographer in the world that wouldn’t love to have her images in their portfolio. She’s simply stunning, and a very down to earth woman.

Pixacom: Have you had any of your photography work published commercially?
Joe Rainey: My work can be regularly seen on www.starwear.us, and will be featured quite heavily in DIPstick Magazine (I’m a staff photographer for them now). My work has also appeared in Cruisin Magazine, www.ironhorserestorations.com, and will be appearing in Gauge Magazine. I’ve shot calendars and images for www.71skylinegt-r.com , www.floridaagainststreetracing.com , and the Skyline Beauties projects www.myspace.com/skylinebeauties . I’m also working on creating a military and patriotic deck of playing cards, with proceeds going to charities that support families of fallen soldiers. I have other sponsors looking to do some projects, so there are a lot of new and exciting things coming.

Pixacom: Where do you see your photography taking you 5 years from now?
Joe Rainey: My plan is to be one of the most requested glamour photographers in the country, right alongside Justin Price, Vincent Pierce, and Onyx Photography, just to name but a few. When you see their name on an image, you know you have quality work, and respect in the industry. I plan on having my work seen in many of the major, mainstream publications, and have a team of people to help edit and market. Of course, I’d settle for someone just to help answer my phone and e-mails right now.

Pixacom: Anything you'd like to say to all the models reading this right now?
Joe Rainey: Persistence, practice and patience. I’ve read so many profiles of models that say NO TFP or CD (Time For CD or Print), or they won’t work without a full team (hair or make up artist, etc), but their portfolios contain nothing more than point and shoot pictures and even cell phone pictures. Very few models make it to the top, and are able to travel the country. The ones that did have paid the price: strict diets, the gym, and a lot of photo shoots – even the free ones. Take each professional opportunity to practice your art, learn your poses and facial expressions, and learn from your mistakes. Modeling isn’t always about getting paid, though that’s the goal of each of professional. I spend 16 hours a day, 7 days a week at my career. I’m dedicated to being the best. If you want to be a professional model, then be committed and be the best.

Pixacom: Last call. Anyone you wanna give a shot out to?
Joe Rainey: Please don’t take this as an inclusive list, but I would love to give a shout out to Kelly M. Bentley, a professional model, a role model and more importantly a great friend. There’s Dusty for teaching me about light (amongst a thousand other things), and Jayda Nicole and Cassie for being great models and close friends. Finally, a shout to Wayne, my business partner and best friend, who pushes me to be a better photographer and person.
You can visit me at:

www.myspace.com/joecoolphotos
www.modelmayhem.com profile# 417023







photos and interview submitted by Joe Rainey