This is a true story. It has some minor changes, but none that substantially alter the facts.
***
I was ecstatic. I had just scored a sweet deal on eBay. This was back in the 90''s when you could still make some really good deals.
When the package arrived, I was pleased to find the merchandise was as described. This was before Pay-pal so there was always some risk involved.
Though I was fully employed in a regular job (with a regular paycheck), I moonlighted as a photographer. I shot mostly small family groups and just about anything someone would pay me to shoot.
Up until two years before, I had been a school photographer. It was a grind, shooting as many as 600 yearbook pictures in a day. Not only was the number of kids daunting, but the travel in our region of West Texas averaged 100+ miles a day. However it was great experience and I tried to learn all I could.
I had a background in media and advertising and, as such, I had a good bit of experience behind a camera, though I had never been a full-time photographer until the school gig.
Besides the thousands of yearbooks shots, we also did high school senior pictures for some of the high schools. I had the job of shooting most of these. For that work we used medium format cameras. The superb quality of the big film made me realize that I would need one to make my freelance work 'POP'. I also realized that taking portrait shots of the senior girls was quite pleasant.
The package I had been waiting for contained, not one, but two medium format cameras and three lenses that covered a full range of focal lengths. With these, I could take more wedding jobs, knowing that I had the proper equipment to produce the quality images that brides deserved. It also would justify a much needed increase in my rates.
Now I just needed to practice with the new cameras and lighting gear.
*****
I saw her profile on a 'model seeks photographer' website. It first caught my eye simply because she was close by. There weren't many models in this town and most of those that were looking were wanting paid work.
Another thing that caught my eye was the poor quality of the profile photos she had been using. I knew I could produce much better photos, even if it was a practice shoot.
Her profile indicated she was 21 years old, 5-6 125 pounds.
She had shoulder length brunette hair in her photos. I messaged her through the website as it was the only way I could make contact. I left my phone number and didn't think about it.
A couple of days later, my phone did ring and the voice on the line sounded much younger than 21.
"Yes, I was calling about the modeling job."
Oh, boy, she was thinking it was a paid job.
"Hello, I am the one who contacted you. I hope there hasn't been a misunderstanding, but this is strictly a trade, My time and expertise in exchange for your time and skill. We each get images for use in our portfolios. No money changes hands."
"Oh, I wasn't sure, but that sounds good to me. I do need some to send to my boyfriend in the army.and I can't afford to pay for them."
"That will be fine as long as you don't sell any of these images without my permission. I will not sell any without your permission either."
"Okay."
"And you are 21 aren't you? You sound like..."
"Younger? I hear that all the time. I am legal to do anything!"
She had a bit of a flirty tone in her voice. Interesting.
"That's good to know."
"My mother will accompany me to the shoot. If you don't believe I am 21, she will be more than happy to tell you in great detail about her labor and delivery pains."
I chuckled.
"A photo ID will be sufficient."
"Good. I have heard that story way too many times. You would think she gave birth to a watermelon! It's almost enough to make me not want to have sex. Almost. I'm sorry that was too much information."
"Watermelons need love, too! Your mom is more than welcome to come and monitor the session."
We set up a time for the session, and discussed wardrobe, hair and make-up. I told her what type of portfolio images I was looking to produce. She didn't have any thing specific that she wanted. I told her to bring a few outfits and we could decide then. We were both interested in some outdoor photos at the local lake, so she would bring a couple of bikinis.
So we were set.
I was using my living room as a studio. It was small, but I made do with what I had. I had three different muslin backgrounds and some paper rolls. With a set of gels on the background light, I could achieve a number of different looks. It wasn't much of a studio, but you have to start somewhere. It worked, and that's what mattered.
Nancy arrived and introduced me to her mother. Her mother was rather dowdy and seemed to be put out by having to chaperone her daughter. She didn't acknowledge me, she pulled out a trashy novel, took a seat on the sofa and didn't pay any attention to anything.
As plain as her mother was, Nancy more than made up for it. Her profile photos did her no favors. Her hair was longer and more luxurious now, forming a brunette halo around her lightly freckled face. She wore a loose t-shirt, but her figure was still very apparent. Her denim miniskirt showed off her long flawless legs nicely. Did I mention that I am a sucker for freckled, long-legged brunettes? I have two ex-wives that can attest to that!
I helped Nancy carry in her clothes. She took it to heart when I told her to bring a variety of outfits. She had enough for an Atlantic cruise. We each picked out two and I left her in the guest bedroom to change, while I made some adjustments to my equipment. My camera equipment that is.
Speaking of the other equipment, I am 6'5" 270-ish. But no more than average 'down there.' My ex-wives can attest to that as well. I was about 40 or 41 at time. About 20 years ago.
Momma kept her nose in her book. I picked my nicest background and checked the light with a flash meter. This was in the stone ages when we shot film, so we had to be sure of the exposure before taking the shot. Buying professional film, using a pro lab for processing and printing, worked out to a dollar every time I touched the shutter release. So I tried to be careful.
