ModelBrigade.com:: Photographer - Ascending Phoenix Studio

Photographer
Ascending Phoenix Studio


Status: Easy Links My Professional Stats My Photos My Club Memberships My Brigade Network My Profile Comments	Brigade: #101398

My Brigade URL: http://www.modelbrigade.com/101398

Ascending Phoenix Studio
Gender:	Male
Age:	48
Location:	Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Connection:
No connection

Photos (273)

Photographer
MB #:101398

MB Showcase Photos (most recent)- 6

view all >>

Photographer Profile

Professional Status:	Semi-Professional
Specializations:	Art, Casual, Glamour, Swimwear, Lingerie, Nude, Artistic Nude, Implied Nude, Erotic
Services Offered:	Portfolio Development- Fee Based
Photography Type:	Studio Based (Indoor), On Location (Outdoor)

About Me

About me

“Models Please Don’t ask to be PAID by me.Clients pay Models not Photographers..that said.

Who am I .. . .

That is a question that its answer remains the same. But is forever evolving and growing and changing.

My name is Mike Lister. Born and raised for the most part in Southern California. I am not one of those people that picked up a camera at the ripe young age of 9 and had my life forever changed. I have had my life changed forever. But it started at a much later stage in life. I?m 42 years old. Raised in a typical middle class neighborhood and family. My mother always thought I possessed a talent for graphics * shed have preferred I was an Architect I think.

I did have a flair for calligraphy, drafting etc going thru school. But they never really took hold of me. At 38 years of age .I had a major primary arm injury that left me with a lot of time on my hands. As I waited, in between surgeries, and healing periods. I decided to go to the local library and get something to read. Instead, I stumbled across a shelf full of video tapes on Photography. I checked a couple of them out. I sat back and watched a whole new world open up before my eyes. I then started checking out some books on photography.

I purchased my first SLR. An early Pentax Spotmatic. Found it in a Pawn Shop and paid a whopping 50.00 for it. I took the things I was reading to heart, head and hand. Spent the next couple of months taking imaginary images.** no I haven?t lost my mind* It was part of learning the controls and functions of the camera. Seeing physically, the difference between various F Stops, and Depth of Field. How selective focus actually worked. Bought a couple more lenses and then finally put some film in it. I was told/read .The best way to start Photography was truly with a full mechanical camera. So with that in hand I set out to try and create images. As you can imagine those first images were in some ways disastrous.

I think that is the sheer beauty of this Medium. If you want it bad enough. And it grabs your SOUL along the way. The mistakes don?t seem to bother you that much as you learn. You want it, taste it, and feel it. As I blissfully went around trying to capture the things I saw around me. Buildings, barns, Rivers you name it. I kept having this overwhelming voice in my head. That kept saying. The only thing missing in this image is a Model.

Having never taken any formal Photography Training or Classes. I set out to try and capture people on film.

Well that is where the second half, and the most passion driven part of my photography took off for me. And it still is the driving force behind who I am, what I see and what I perceive. I see people from multiple variations of their personality. The Introvert, the Extrovert. The Melancholy, the Happy, the Depressed. The Thinker. The Protector, The Mischievous..

I started photographing friends and co-workers. That were kind enough to let me learn and hone my craft through attempts at Capturing Their Unique Personality. Hopefully not just a ?snap shot ?.But capture THEM. The person, that they show the outside world. As well as capture the person that they try and hide from the outside world. In essence, as candid, and real an image of them as possible. Do I hit the Mark every time .No, do I strive for a perfect image. Without a doubt. My primary goal when photographing a subject. Is to FIRST, raise their self esteem about the person they are. Help and hope to make them see how the rest of the world sees them. And as with most people. We have a distorted perception of how people see us. The beauty of film. IS it doesn?t lie. Slightly distort the truth at times, sure. The most common thing I have heard from people I have worked with is." I take crummy pictures. That they are not photogenic.? My answer is usually the same. YOU don?t take bad photos, people have taken bad photos of you.

There is a Moment that I will always cherish. I was working with a Model. We did our first session. I delivered the images a short time later. As I sat there with her and her husband reviewing the images. She broke into tears. I stared at her Husband. She then looked at me and said.? Oh My God, I?m beautiful !! ? I said ?I know that darling, your husband has been telling you that for years.? She said I know, but I never saw it til now.

It was then, that I realized what a special gift I am allowed to give someone. It unleashed a deeper passion in me. To not only Photograph woman, but to try as much as possible to elevate the way they perceive themselves.

In a time of Mass Media Hype. And making woman feel less than they are. Due to things like Plastic Surgery for vanity reasons only. How much it devastates the rest of the woman we know around us. This over whelming need, sense of need, to be a Society fitting into a Barbie Doll Mold. This particular Model was under 5? foot tall. Petite in size. Always feeling over looked due to her size. And that ONLY tall and well endowed woman could be photographed to look beautiful and sexy. Was a very personally rewarding moment .That has had a lot to do with the way, and particular Models I think I have chosen at times to work with. I enjoy finding the subtle qualities in a particular subject. And choose to focus on those things that make that person unique. Those that know me, or have worked with me. Will tell you the same thing. I as a photographer of woman in particular. Use the following analogy and approach to photographing them.

Woman are like Snowflakes. All Snowflakes, yet as with Snowflakes. There are no TWO exactly alike. And that is what makes each and every woman that I photograph rewarding to work with. They each bring their own unique personalities and life experiences to a Photo Session. The lighting may be similar. The pose maybe similar. But the way each one of them expresses themselves is true unique and rewarding to me as an Artist.

I have no children .As a matter of circumstances and choice. As a result, Photography is my Child. When I leave this place we call Earth. I have no legacy to leave behind. Other than the images I leave behind. And the lives that I touch while creating them.

If you, or someone you know. Is, or would be interested in working with me. Please feel free to contact me and schedule a session.

Photo Albums

Ambrosia

And Whats New

Ashliegh-Down O...

Beauty Over Bru...

Bleed Blue Tatt...

Brandi

Brooke Lexingto...

Casual

view all >>

Clubs

Title and Description	Photo	Action
Glamour Nude Club Brigade Member: Fotographia Fantastique The Glamour Nude Club...		Join Club View Bookmark
The Art of the Nude Brigade Member: SLE Photography Beauty without clothes. Elevating the nude from banal to sublime....		Join Club View Bookmark

view all >>

My Friends Network

Ascending Phoenix Studio has 96 friends.

Photographer
ACI - Andys Creative Images
MB# 101060

ONLINE

Photographer
Sunshine and Satin Photography
MB# 100165

ONLINE

Photographer
sage666
MB# 100606

OFFLINE

Photographer
X
MB# 100732

ONLINE

Photographer
Rising Phoenix Studio
MB# 100737

OFFLINE

Photographer
SalleePhoto
MB# 101329

OFFLINE

Photographer
David Birdsong Photography
MB# 101719

OFFLINE

Photographer
Moon Tree Studio
MB# 102713

OFFLINE

Photographer
Sopczuk Photography
MB# 102759

OFFLINE

Model
Ashleigh miller
MB# 103572

OFFLINE

view all >>

Comments ( 30 )

Brigade Member	Feedback	Action
Model hot stuff 24 MB# 104962 OFFLINE	11/05/2009 Hi Mike.......thanks so much for the chat last night..........cant wait to work with you .......love your port
Photographer Digital Charisma Photography MB# 100543 OFFLINE	10/29/2009 Hey Mike, thx for all the wonderful image comments.. very much appreciated. Your work is outstanding with perfect compositions and models! Glenn [DCP]
Model Noel MB# 108060 OFFLINE	10/29/2009 Thanks for the pic comments! If i'm ever in the Kentucky area we should defiantly work together!
Model Cara Ashley MB# 116863 OFFLINE	10/26/2009 Thanks for the love! :) Have a wonderful night! ~ Cara Ashley
Model Khaili Conway MB# 104731 OFFLINE	10/24/2009 Thank you for all your lovely pic comments - I really appreciate it! Your work is great - hopefully we'll get to work together some day! :)
Photographer Burdick Imaging MB# 105274 OFFLINE	10/19/2009 Thanks for all of the photo comments/compliments...I truly appreciate it!!! I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your great work/art as you post it!!! Take care and best wishes. ~Dave (Burdick Imaging)
Photographer Elegant Captures MB# 112398 Elite Member ONLINE	10/19/2009 Really love the work you have done most recently with Brook man, most every image is real pin up art at it's finest!
Photographer Sopczuk Photography MB# 102759 OFFLINE	10/13/2009 Thanks for the comments and the tag... love your new adds!
Model Wild Red Suspenders MB# 102650 VIP Member OFFLINE	10/13/2009 Love the NEW avatar pic. ;) xo Marianne- WRS
Model Queen JoJo MB# 106642 OFFLINE	10/11/2009 Thank you so much!
Model Marie MB# 101289 OFFLINE	10/03/2009 Too bad :(
Model Delila B MB# 102978 OFFLINE	09/29/2009 LOL!! It is my husbands quote, I just love it
Photographer Martinez Photography MB# 101820 ONLINE	09/25/2009 Michael, just thought I'd holler and let you know how much I enjoyed your port. VERY NICE! Lots of lovely work here!
Photographer Kevin'sFocalpoint MB# 105627 OFFLINE	09/20/2009 Thanks for all the comments Pho. Alas, the red haired beuty you have commentesd on several times is no longer modeling anymore, which, and I am sure you will agree is a big crime. Thanks for all the comments, I really apreciate them all
Model brooke MB# 118728 OFFLINE	09/10/2009 hey hey hey! im back!!! :)
Makeup Artist MUA Cindy Contreras MB# 119118 OFFLINE	09/09/2009 Thank you for the comments !!! :)
Model Curvy Krista MB# 102369 OFFLINE	09/06/2009 Thanks for the comments! :-)
Photographer J. Welborn MB# 101135 OFFLINE	09/03/2009 Hey ---good morning I'm building a new larger studio ------
Model Tasha MB# 117392 OFFLINE	08/31/2009 Thank you so very much for your comments. I enjoyed going through your photos. they are awfully good. I would absolutely love if we could work together sometime..
Photographer Odyssey Photo Works MB# 103252 OFFLINE	08/31/2009 Thanks for the pic comment!
Photographer Sopczuk Photography MB# 102759 OFFLINE	08/30/2009 Thanks for the image comment... love viewing your port. The model that you commented about is so great to work with hope you have a chance to work with her one day!
Model Lindsey MB# 118555 OFFLINE	08/23/2009 Thanks for the wonderful comment you left. You do some awesome work. Maybe we can shoot together sometime..
Model TanyaTrianta MB# 114453 OFFLINE	08/21/2009 lovely images x
Photographer John B MB# 107663 OFFLINE	08/11/2009 thank you
Model amberwine MB# 117069 OFFLINE	08/09/2009 so when are you coming down my way would love to do more work with you i miss ya well hit me back soon
Photographer ACI - Andys Creative Images MB# 101060 ONLINE	08/02/2009 So when are you going to drag your sorry self down to Tn?? :-)
Model Megan163 MB# 118037 OFFLINE	07/31/2009 Your work is beautiful as well as the way you think. :)
Model Amy Simpson MB# 113988 OFFLINE	07/31/2009 Thanks for the picture comments! :) You have a lovely port! Amy
Model Amanda MB# 117346 OFFLINE	07/24/2009 Thanks for the comments!
Model Raimée MB# 117720 OFFLINE	07/22/2009 Thank you! =] You have a wonderful portfolio. Quite lovely.