photography – Dark Beauty

Photographer: Robert Prosser
Model: Lauren Litman

What is your style? Describe it.

I have a ridiculously versatile style, there are too many cool ideas to create and recreate, I wouldn’t want to be stuck in one specific style when it comes to photography & modeling. So I will describe my style as versatile.

What is your process? Describe your treatments.

Fantasy/Idea>Planning team, location & budget>Shooting>Picking out the best shots>editing to get the right mood> BOOM!

How do you make a living off your work, or do you? Is there someone who supports you?

I’m able to make a living off what I do as I have several sources of income. I do modeling, performing, photography, makeup & styling work and run a clothing brand so within all of those trades I’m able to make a living out of my hobbies. There’s no way I could only do one!

What inspires you for a shoot? Why?

Wow, that could be anything, I don’t think I can answer that with one thing. But it’s always great when you see someone else’s work that you can tell has got a same view on a good shot as yourself and you just know you’ll be a dream team. I found it to be that way with J. Isobel de Lisle, I trust her with picking the best shots so when I model for her I just get into this flow. When you’re not “scared” of taking an ugly photo and you love the team you’re working with, you definitely get the best results.

Do you plan the entire shoot concept, or have help?

It’s different, for both my modeling and my photography. Sometime the model/photographer have an idea, if I like it I will shoot it. Sometimes the other side wants to create something. I really enjoy when you think you got it all planned out and the whole shoot takes a turn and creates something totally unexpected but that turns out amazing!

Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?

I look up to the artists who has an artistic ‘awareness’, that knows the end results that will really speak out. Shapes, lighting, model, location, crop. There’re a lot of things that together play part in THAT ONE SHOT

I also look up to models who are not scared of looking what is considered “bad” for beauty standards. Imperfections are beautiful and can be so amazing when they’re enhanced too.

How do you sell your work, your own site, a provider? Any advice to others?

My plan was never to sell really, my work is my hobby and I’m very lucky that I’m able to have it as a job now too. I think maybe because I always enjoyed it so much it shines through to the end results. Some advice if you really wanna get out there though is to play strong on your social media, and keep people aware of your travelling and projects. Collaborate and update non-stop!

How do you take criticism? DO you take it well? How do you manage criticism? Why does it affect you good/negative?

As a model you get hate every day, it’s not something that bothers me at all. I actually find it rather entertaining. I never saw myself as perfect and never plan to, so imperfections don’t bother me. When it comes to m y photography or clothing design it can be harder because its something that I created and something I decided on how the finish job would look like but in the end of the day I know that I don’t publish my work to please anyone except for the team involved/customers.

Are you self-taught, educate? College, online classes, tutorials, Self Taught? What steps did you take to learn your craft?

I have a 3 year education in Fashion design behind me but within my modeling and photography I am self-taught.

Who would you like to shoot? Celebrities, model, designer? Why?

I definitely wanna be photographed by J. Isobel de Lisle again but we are in different countries so it’s hard! Also David LaChapelle.

If you left a time capsule of your work, what would you leave in it? Would it be digital or physical paper? What would it consist?

Woah, many random things.. Anything from arts and crafts I’ve done through the years, favorite clothing, diaries, perfumes, lists, songs.. Just a bunch of stuff that brings back strong memories to me!

What caused you to become a photographer/fashion photographer/artist/Designer? Why?

The urge of expressing myself in something that is not words. Words are so limited while a photograph can say so many things. The ideas and images I have in my head are just fighting their way through to my hands, Id go insane if I would just keep them all in my head!

How do you manage a project? Do you prefer a team, or being a one stop shop? Why?

I work a lot just by myself. I shoot my own products and many times just photograph myself with the self-shutter if I have an idea that is very specific to me.

What I like about being with a team is that they can open new doors to an idea that I could never think of.

Do you prefer to shoot men, women models? Why is your preference for one and not the other?

Both! Doesn’t matter gender, what matters most to me is that the model is comfortable and not scared of acting the character you’re meant to portray.

What is your preferred subject matter? Why?

Amazing outfits in a suitable location with crazy styling. Just anything outrageous. Anything that will make you flabbergast!

Do you edit your own work? If so, explain why.

I do, I actually do most of my photography work in Photoshop. A lot of photographer may call it cheating because you don’t spend hours testing lighting and settings, but the only thing that matters to me is the outcome and what it expresses, and I love working with Photoshop!

What did you want to be when you were little? Why?

I went through periods of wanting to be an archeologist because I thought there would be so many adventures and creepy findings.. I loved the Mummy films haha!

I also wanted to be an actress, dancer and pop star as well as a fashion designer!

When do you know your image is done when editing? What gives you that indication?

It just is! For me its never an exact list of things to go through in Photoshop, I pretty much see the finished image in my head when looking at a raw file :)

Are you hands on, or prefer to let the artist/team you invite to work on a shoot? Do you take input, or is it all your way or the highway? Why?

I’m quite hands on, but I’m always willing to let the team try some things too.

What do you listen to on a shoot? Editing? Why does it help you in your work?

All sorts of music, but I do like instrumental quite rhythmic do get into a sort of editing trance!

How do you manage requests for free or TFP shoots? Why do/don’t you?

Within my photography I only do very very few TF shoot when its with a few friends or when I have a specific idea that I need a team to follow. For modeling I only shoot TF when it will benefit my portfolio.. and when it comes to my clothing company I never lend out clothing unless I’m styling a whole workshop or similar.

Do you use Model Mayhem? Why?

I use it when I travel abroad and want to find collaborations!

Do you shoot signed agent models only? What agencies do you tend to work with most? What’s the difference in your opinion?

Noo noo..I shoot anyone who’s look interests me and that is suitable for the project.

What pisses you off most in your industry? What do you want to see changed?

Facebook pisses me off! That you have to pay for exposure to your followers, and that there’re so many fake accounts/like around that you don’t know what to believe!

What was your favorite shoot? Why?

My shoot with J. Isobel de Lisle definitely. We shot some amazing sets and I just had an overall nice day modeling for her. I can see what she saw in all the final shots and it pleased me!

Who is your favorite stylist? Why?

I don’t work a lot with stylists as I normally handle that job myself and I’m not really big on knowing other stylists. But I can either way say the stylists who did The Lord of The Rings and Mad Max did an amazing job!

Who is your favorite designer? Why?

Myself, I create exactly what I like to see :)

What is successful for you, in attracting work? Social networking, website, emails? Why?

An amazing portfolio! A professional website and social media is a plus but shouldn’t matter. However I do feel safe that I have a trustworthy team when I see they have taken their website/social media seriously.

What does Dark Beauty mean to you? In depth feeling, a mood, or visual? Explain.

Beautiful imperfections a lot of the times, our society wants so many ideals and Dark Beauty to me shows what the real reality can be like/feel like physically and mentally. Our dark sides are beautiful too.

What is your idea of success? Why?

Just being happy with yourself and what you do, that is success. Some of us just wants to settle down in a forest and learn how to swordfight, while other requires fame and approval from other people. I thin success is when you’ve become aware of what it is you need in your life and you learn to live and do right with it. To yourself, and to others.

Have you reached your ultimate level in your work? If not, what is your next step? Why?

I still have so much to experiment with it really is never-ending! Which is just how I want it to be, Id be scared if there was ever an ultimate. I think everyone “ultimate” changes with everything we do, because we’re not really meant to feel an ultimate.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Explain.

Doing exactly what I do now, but probably living in another country! Id like to see more of the world :)

If you could go back into time, what era would it be and why? what career would you want to have experienced and why?

I’d like to experience the 70’s and the birth of rock n roll!

Why did you choose Dark Beauty as a publication to get published in? Why us instead of another? Why?

I like Dark Beauty because it is so artistic, it al about what you’ve created, not WHO you created it with. Dark beauty selects the best of…dark beauty! and for me it would be a true honor to be presented to likeminded artists via Dark Beauty.

Do you prefer paper to digital? Why is it important to you?

Digital, definitely! While some photography has its charm in the facts it could only be shot once, I do need digital cameras & post production to make my ideas come true.

What complications do you face in todays market of art? Money, business, competition? Why?

I believe the creative scene within photo-shooting has grown ridiculously over the past years and it does create more competition for the few paid jobs out there at the moment, but I wouldn’t want to say its a bad thing that there is so much art and creative people getting together shooting and submitting for free. Its healthy for humanity to be creative and I think its going in the right direction. When it comes to business there is always a way to work around earning money, you just gotta be clever enough to realize what the demands currently are within your area of trade.

What Challenges do you encounter in todays market? What do you to face them and work against them?

I can’t say I encounter too many challenges, but maybe that’s because I have several sources of income I work within, so I’m never much totally dependent on one trade.

Do you feel valued as an artist/photographer/designer? If you do/don’t, why?

I feel very valued! I’ve grown myself an amazing following during the years which are so loving and appreciative. I feel so blessed I’m able to showcase my work to so many people and that I’m able to inspire other artists. Cant put words to it really!

What would you like to see change in the industry? Can you change it? Motivate? Have ideas? Why?

I would love to see a new big platform for casting calls and portfolios like model mayhem, but better and more active, worldwide! I feel model mayhem has died off a bit lately, which is a shame!

What do you want to be remembered for? History, fame, work? Why?

I wish to be remembered as a person who spread joy and kindness to the people I’ve met in my life.

How do you want to inspire the world? Why?

I want to inspire people to push for their goals and dreams, to be active, work hard, be good and do good!

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“I choose this little character card for my photos, because it helps to imagine the interior of the box, live crazy adventures, with the only limit our imagination. I find it fantastic!!” — Gilbert Fardelli

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