Life on Both Sides of the Lens:

A Conversation with former Tri-City Model

Turned Successful West Coast Photographer

MISTI LAYNE

By Robert E. Martin

Recently Misti returned to Saginaw to visit friends and explore the

possibilities of branching her West Coast photographic career into the

tri-cities.  We sat down for a chat, discussing the differences between

being on opposite sides of the lens, and the challenges and pitfalls that

confront both models and photographers on their journey to the 'big time.'

Review:  Misti, how did you first get interested in modeling and how did

it evolve into your current involvement with photography?



Misti:   My first class was with Mary Swanson when I was 14.  I lived with

my father who knew nothing about little girls.  Mary Swanson taught me

confidence and about hair, walking, make-up, and fashion. She just doted

on me.  I was the youngest in her class so I think I was like her little

sister.



I did little jobs around Saginaw.  Luncheons at Treasure Island and shows

at Fashion Square, things like that.  Nothing really to speak of, but all

were fun.  I met Steve Gotts who took some pictures of me when I was 17

and I just thought it was the most fun ever.  I was more interested in how I

looked of course, but could still appreciate how all the things came

together like the lighting and backdrops.  It was the simplest setup in

his basement but I loved what came of it.  However, I was intent on modeling

and that technical side of it went by the wayside for awhile.



I worked with Steve a lot more over the years and even assisted him now

and again.  The bug was planted but I still wanted to be that "supermodel" so

my focus was there.  I did have a camera that I would take with me every

where.  I had it tucked under my coat in New York City every day.  It was

in my car constantly. I knew my pictures were good, better than average

and it was just fun.  Then I got smart and realized I wouldn't make it as the

model, but could do better as the photographer.  I had an understanding of

both sides of the camera.  I would actually do my best to help, and wasn't

going to be like the perverts I had run into many times in New York and

even Michigan.

Review:  What type of photography interests you the most and what do you

feel you offer through your photos that distinguish you from other

photographers?



Misti: My favorite photography is when I'm in a new place and my camera is

with me and I see something interesting or beautiful and just take the

picture.  But I love doing headshots and fashion/modeling pictures.  These

people trust me because I have been a model.  I appreciate that.  I have

had clients hug me after a shoot and say thanks for making me have fun and

feel beautiful.  I never want anyone to feel as awful as I did sometimes

in front of the camera.

One thing that makes me different is being a woman.  When I look at a

model, male or female, I'm looking at symmetry, features, posture, the

stray hair. I'm imagining the photograph in its final form.   I never pose

people, I let them move naturally and make minor adjustments.   I'm

looking at every last detail and I think some people, yes mostly men, get caught

up in the moment and the subject form that is in front of them.



They take a picture, they don't make a photograph, and there is a big

difference.  I see a lot of these cheesy web sites where photographers

list themselves as "bikini model photographer" or "nude photographer".  That is

slang for "Pose for me, I think I'm a photographer and want you to be

basically naked."  I would dare these men; yes again they are mostly

heterosexual men, to photograph a nude male.  They won't and if they did

they wouldn't feel comfortable or proud about it.



I think the other thing that makes me different is that I'm not into the

"techie talk" and the lingo that goes with it to try and prove you are a

photographer.  Honestly, I put the camera on automatic and concentrate on

my subject.  I know what to expect of the camera when I set it a certain

way and if the person doesn't feel good or look good, then I haven't done

my job.  Many photographers, who are not full time professionals, are into

the technical side but can't get past it.



They talk about their favorite film and the fancy camera they have and all

the other equipment that they possess. But if you look at their pictures

there is nothing better than average.  Having the greatest equipment won't

give you the aesthetic eye that all the great photographers have.  Photos

taken 50 or 80 years ago were taken with cameras anyone could own.  But

photographers like Cartier-Bresson, Stieglitz and Lange could capture a

moment so beautifully and no one ever asked what the photograph was taken

with!



I actually have a lot of fun and get great pictures with a $20 plastic,

Russian camera that I own which is taped shut.  People don't know what

pictures were taken with that Holga or my Mamiya.  I love that.

Review:  What type of opportunities did your transition to San Francisco

open up for you, and how has your career evolved since you moved there?



Misti: Moving to San Francisco was the best thing I ever did.  There is so

much more here for the "creative artist" type.  Every day I see something

new and have the chance to experience something different.  I have had

every type of job imaginable from bartender to associate producer at a dot

com that, yes, failed.



I went to the Philippines a few years ago as a documentary production

assistant.  I've also worked on many movies as an extra or a production

assistant.  But photography never stopped and something always came up job

wise that helped to build my confidence and give me more experience.

Being here has just given me the opportunities that kept me in the

creative arts, where I needed to be for sanity's sake. I've been able to

work with different photographers and learn a lot.



Review:  What do you feel is the most challenging component of being a

photographer and a model?



Misti: I haven't done any modeling in a few years and don't miss it.  The

idea of being in front of people like that now makes me cringe.  I have

matured and evolved and find so much more gratification out of taking

photographs of other people and living vicariously through their dreams.



Some will make it and some won't but I enjoy seeing the hope in them that

I've shared.  Being a model is tough. It is based on how you look 100%.

To be told you're not right hurts and sometimes the most challenging thing is

to recognize that you have to give up a dream or lower your expectations

on your success.   But now my main priority is doing my own photography full

time in about 5 years.  The challenge in that is to be better than the

competition and San Francisco has some of the best photographers in the

world.



Review:  What type of advice do you have for those starting out in

modeling or photography?



Misti: Modeling is a dream and a lot of people will take advantage of

that.

There will be times when people charge incredible amounts of money for

things that should be free and then don't even provide the service.  This

industry is full of young, inexperienced people.  Everyone, myself

included, as a teenager or in their early 20's thinks they know everything

and can't be swayed. What you don't realize is that you really don't know

how easy it is and are too arrogant to think it would happen to you.



Being in this business means trusting your intuition, dealing with only

reputable agencies and photographers and leaving a situation if you're not

comfortable.  Not everyone will make it in modeling and there will be a

time when you have to accept that you may not make it.  Also be prepared

to work hard.  It is not just sitting there and looking pretty.  It is

pounding a lot of pavement if you want to even get close to being

successful.  But don't think you can't do it and never try.  Regretting

not doing something is worse than trying and not succeeding.



Photographers need to know their basics and have a good eye.  I don't

think photography aesthetics can be taught.  I think it is already in someone

and they discover it.  If you enjoy it, then shoot like crazy!  Film is cheap

and with every picture I have taken, I always learn something new.  You

also need to listen to criticism, which can be hard.  But if you like what

someone does, find out the how and why and make it your own and push

yourself.

Review:  What have been some of your biggest accomplishments and assignments?



Misti: I've entered two photo contests and although I didn't win them, I

was actually among the honorable mentions twice.  This was great because

there were about 36,000 entries both times and I made the top 200.  The

pictures were published and that was the first time I had seen my pictures

in a book. So that was pretty amazing.



Review:  What are the easiest mistakes for photographers and models to

make?



Misti: Models trust too easily and aren't always realistic.  Because

modeling is such a hopeful sort of thing, it is easy to be swayed and

trust the wrong person.



Photographers get lazy and think the best equipment makes them good.  A

beautiful book was published by a photographer who gave himself the

assignment of shooting one picture a day in the wooded area around his

home for about 2 months with a 35mm camera.  Every picture he took was

published. The challenge pushed him to do his best and he only had one

shot a day to do it.  That's pressure.  You can never stop learning or think

that another piece of equipment will make you better.



Review:  Do you feel with the proliferation of the Internet, etc., that it

is easier for models & photographers to 'make a mark', or do you still

have to go through the major agencies in order to secure good contracts?



Misti: My only source of advertising is the Internet and word of mouth.  I

love the Internet and think it is a wealth of information that is

invaluable.  I think as a photographer that it is an indispensable tool. I

look at the competition, I look at the agencies that come and go and I

look at the talent out there.  I worked incredibly hard on my site and feel it

represents me well.  I've been contacted from people around the world.  I

don't' do a lot of commercial work, but if I did, I would definitely have

a Rep. This market is tough and you have to be good and market yourself like

crazy.



Models, however, I recommend still going to the tried and true established

agencies.  There is a lot of good information on the Internet and it is a

good source for finding the agencies.  But there are 1000 times more sites

on the internet that you just know are not being looked at by anyone

noteworthy and they charge to be a member.  If you are going to make it as

a model, the agency you work for will provide most everything.  You will

have to reimburse them for certain things, but they are not going to

charge you to belong to them.  Besides, meeting someone in person will make much

more impact than an email and a photo.



Review: What types of services do you provide and how people get in touch

with you?



Misti: I do portraiture, weddings, pets, models of course, and some

commercial work. I also have tons of images that I sell as fine art.  I do

live in San Francisco but have thought of putting a trip together for a week or so to

Saginaw if the interest is good and demand is high.



All the photographs published with this feature are by Misti Layne.  If

you would like to contact Misti or schedule a photo shoot with her, visit her

website at:  www.mistilayne.com  or email her at misti@mistilayne.com