This week's interview will be a treat for all that read this. This week we spent some time with one of the best artistic nude models in the business, Katie Damron. Not only is Katie a very skilled model, but a very talented musician as well. I have had the pleasure of hearing some of her original compositions, and the blew me away. I am sorry I don't have any to post her today, but maybe I will see if Katie will lend us one to post at a later date.
Now on with the interview...Enjoy!
1.
What is the meaning behind your name?
Well, Katie is my name... Damron was my middle name before I got married. My professional name is Katie Damron Potter. I used to go by a bunch of esoteric words and bits of phraseological fodder but you start to develop an identity complex after a while if you keep changing your name due to your mood or what not!
2.
Where were you born, and grow up?
I was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Baltimore, MD.
3.
How old were you when you starting modeling?
I was actually 25. I used to be a professional ballet dancer but due to serious and permanent knee injuries that happened towards the end of my senior year of high school, I couldn't run with that career. With modeling, I still get to dance and use my body but I don't need to worry about having to endure 12-14 hours of constant movement 6 or 7 days a week.
4.
What made you want to be a model?
Heh, funny actually. I knew about model mayhem for a while because after college I was working at a Sephora as a makeup artist and I wanted to submit a makeup artist portfolio, however it kept getting rejected because the only pictures I had were of myself so I thought to myself... "hmm... I wonder what would happen if I randomly attempted to get on here as a model..." - heh, sure enough, first try - portfolio approved - first shoot 2 days later, was offered my first paid contract at that shoot. I had also just lost about 60 pounds that I picked up while in music school (good ol' Berklee potheads and 21-year-old alcoholic tendencies), and in the first 3 months I was modeling another 40 pounds came off... so that was a BIG inspiration!
5.
What style do you prefer when modeling?
My first three months as a model were pretty much spent underwater, actually. My first shoot was underwater portraits (I lived in Florida at the time), and the production company that did these photo shoots also had a video series. Apparently I took really naturally to the water, and in no time, a million random people had seen me die underwater and were digging it. Yeah, a bit twisted but that's just typical of my life! It was SO much fun, and man, working under 36,000 pounds of water pressure everyday will keep you in shape!
6.
Is modeling a full time job? If not what else do you do?
Modeling is a full time job, but I'm also a full time photographer. I picked up my first dSLR about six months into my modeling career. If i'm going to be involved in something, I like to be INVOLVED in something - my brain is like a sponge, so I pretty much learned incidentally from all of the photographers that I worked with.
7.
What type of photographer do you like. One that directs every move, or one that lets you just do your own thing?
Well, being a dancer and having been referred to - on many occasions - as an "endless dictionary of poses" - I'm not really good with the photographers who like to direct every single movement. I take direction - that's a totally separate issue - and, of course, if the photographer has a specific shot in mind that's also something else... but I've gotta be me, and I'm sporadic, random, flexible, creative and I've never had any complaints about that :)
8.
What do you like best. To shoot on set, or to shoot on location, and why?
I'm a location junkie. Considering the fact that I'd say about 95% of my work is completely nude, I totally love to indulge the exhibitionist in me. Also, there's only so much you can do in a studio... the great outdoors is always changing and is the best prop you'll ever have to work with. If it doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.
9.
Do you go on shoots alone, or do you take an escort?
If I'm getting the feeling from a photographer prior to our meeting that I'm going to want to have an escort with me I usually end up canceling the shoot. This is a professional line of work, and regardless of the presence or absence of clothing, it's nothing new to anyone involved - and speaking as a photographer - heh, you ain't got nothing I've never seen before. I've also come to learn - unfortunately due to a few really bad experiences - that if a photographer is REALLY insistent upon you NOT bringing an escort, there's a reason why... a reason that I don't need to find out.
10.
How do your parents feel about you being a model?
WELL... I guess a better question for me would be "do your parents know that you're a model?" And the answer to that would be "kinda..." - here's the deal - they know I model, but they're convinced that I'm some sort of catalog model or random internet perfume and makeup model. They also are pretty convinced that since I started working as a photographer, my modeling has pretty much all but completely tapered off. My parents are both in their 70s, so no - they do NOT know I do nudes (oddly they know that as a photographer, I shoot them and don't have a problem with that... my mother was a classical art major in college, she painted nudes for 6 years... and yet, if there's a camera involved it MUST be pornography... unless I'm the photographer, come on mom...). My husband's side of the family, however, and my mother's sister and her kids (heh, they're so much cooler than my mom) are very aware of exactly what I do and I have their full support.
11.
Do like to work alone, or do you mind working with other models.
As a former choreographer, I love working with other models but once again, it needs to be in a situation where a) i'm working with experienced models, b) we can flow through the movements without having to really think about it or discuss anything, c) they're as into the shoot as I am (it's like acting... it's hard to keep giving when you aren't being given anything to work with!) and d) it's not some lame sexually deprived GWC's attempt at getting chicks to hookup. Give me a break. Happens more often that you would think.
12.
Sexual Orientation?
Alive? LOL... i'm married (to a man), but I've never claimed to be straight. I've always been attracted to people over genders - plus, girls are hot!
13.
Do you like working with male or female models better?
Depends on the situation. As a married woman, I don't like to do anything overtly sexual with a male model but I LOVE working with male models when there's some sort of deeply driven artistic motivation and we can become like sculptures and break out a grande pas de deux. Generally, I don't really get along with other females, but the ones that I do get along with are usually the same way. But it once again doesn't so much boil down to gender, it's experience and intent.
14.
What is your favorite junk or comfort food?
I'm addicted to Monster Java drinks! Umm, as far as junk food goes, I don't really eat it. Heh, I used to be over 100 pounds heavier than I am now and I am NEVER letting that happen again!
15.
What do you sleep in?
Au natural... started in college in Boston during the summer when we didn't have any AC in our apartment... now I can't handle having anything on my body while I sleep.
16.
Dogs or Cats?
Cats... they pretty much take care of themselves, your schedule doesn't revolve around when they need to go out, and heh... cats are smarter. Dogs are pretty dumb.
17.
How many tattoos do you have?
Seven at the moment, with about 15 more to go... oh, it's planned out... bring on the ink!
18.
Showers or Baths?
Who the hell has time to take a bath anymore?! And something about sitting in a warm pool of my own dead skin cells and grime kinda makes the whole "cleaning" process seem redundant.
19.
When you are in front of the camera what do you feel?
Wow... that's a tough one. I guess it depends on the situation. If you're referring to anxiety or stage-fright - hell no... honestly, I've never been afraid of cameras or crowds in my life - I thrive on them. I guess you could say that I feel really, genuinely, truly and fully alive in front of the camera.
20.
What do you like to do on your days off?
What days off? LOL... I'm a full-time photographer, too. Plus, I spend a LOT of time traveling as a model - so if I'm not shooting, I'm probably working on edits. I have no social life, but that's never really been a concern of mine.
21.
Do you like interacting with your fans?
Genuine fans, yes. Intelligent fans who appreciate art, absolutely. Fans who have nothing better to say than "you're hot"... not so much. It doesn't take any freaking talent to take your clothes off.
22.
How do you deal with fans that become let's say a problem?
I'll litigate at the drop of a hat, I have several active restraining orders out, don't mess with me. Trust me, you cannot afford to go up against my lawyers, it's not worth it.
23.
Are you single?
Not remotely.
24.
T.V Or Computer?
My TV is just background noise... I live on my computer.
25.
Have you had a bad experience during a photo shoot?
When I was a newer model I did some shoots that I kind of regret doing looking back on it, but every model goes through that. Once the glow of the limelight starts to fade, your brain starts to function again, too.
26.
What will you not do on a photo shoot?
I draw the line at sex toys. Other than that, I can't think of anything.
27.
How long do you think you will continue to model?
Until no one will shoot me! I'm almost 28 and I look about 18-20... so I'm not really worried about aging too quickly, I keep myself in incredible physical shape so I've got that working towards my advantage. I know that ultimately in the long run, photography is going to be my long-term career but really, I don't EVER have to completely stop modeling. I can't imagine doing that!
28.
What is the one thing most people don't know about you that would shock them if they knew?
Heh, good luck with that one. I'm a VERY open person... I really can't think of anything that would shock people about me. I definitely roll with a bit of insanity as it is, I don't really believe in censorship so after you've known me for all of two hours, you probably know more than you'd ever want to.
29.
When home alone what is your perfect day?
Haha, having my husband at work so I don't get distracted from editing, planning my shoots and travel schedules, working on my websites and portfolios and such. I NEVER clock out.
30.
Do you have a wish-list for fans to send you stuff?
LOL, yeah, but they can't afford it. Let's just say... I like ink (so any donations towards tattooing would be much appreciated) and I shoot a Canon 50D and a Canon 1D Mark II - gear makes me happy, too :) ... don't worry, I have my six lust lenses and a full-studio setup... I love filters (77mm, por favor!), light mods, gels, random fun... whatever!
31.
Where else can fans find you?
Model Mayhem -
http://www.modelmayhem.com/katiedamron
Green Martini -
http://www.greenmartini.com/katiedamronpotter
Facebook - Katie Damron Potter
ModelRun - Katie Damron
Model Insider - Katie Damron
ARTnudes network, two blogs (one as a photographer, one as a model)
Blogspot - A New Perspective
Tumblr - The Sky Is Here
and... as I am in the process of building this from nothing but code... katiedamron.net coming soon!
And, for the hell of it, you can find my photography at:
Model Mayhem - Katie Potter, kPOTTERartistic & KDPmetamorphoses
Green Martini - same portfolio
MyShutterspace - Katie Damron Potter
http://katiepotterphoto.smugmug.com (I pretty much only use it for proof galleries at this point, but there are still some galleries on display)
same deal as above... coming soon...
http://katiepotter.net
Blogspot - A New Perspective
Tumblr - The Sky Is Here
ModelRun - Katie Potter
Model Insider - Katie Potter
Facebook - kPOTTERphotography
ARTnudes network
Also, I've been published as a model and photographer all over the web, in print, in books... I'm not hard to track down!
Katie, thank you for giving my readers an inside look into what it is like to be an artistic nude model. I wish you much success in your life, and career.
OK, folks that's all for this week's interview. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Be sure to check out Katie's work at the above locations, and book her if you have the chance. I have worked with her in the past, and I can tell you that you will not be disappointed. She is amazing at what she does.
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