Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you get your models?

Many of my models are my friends. Some are drinking buddies. Some are the local monarchy of their situations. I tend to look for people with an interesting look that really displays their personality. Sometimes, when I am looking for a certain look I will approach people I don't know, but that always has the, "I'm gonna make you a star!" feel to it. It just feels kinda... dirty. However, I do get contacts from people who are interested in my vision and want to take part. I accept submissions from possible models online. Send an email and attach low/medium res jpegs as well as any specific look you would like to see yourself in.

Do you pay your models?

This depends on the project. If your image will appear in commercial work, you will definitely get paid. If the shoot is for personal projects, It is usually done on TFP (trade for prints). Production shoots like head shots and model testing always require a charge. All shoots require a signed model release and a government issued ID or parental release.

Can I help?

I currently have a whole bunch of reliable, talented assistants. However, if you are a makeup artist, hair stylist, fashion consultant, set designer, etc., I will always be happy to meet with you and exchange ideas. I also may be able to refer you to my pals who need your services.

What kind of equipment do you use?

Since an (un)fortunate break in where all of my 35mm film gear was stolen, I have converted to DIGITAL! I use Nikon Digital SLR's, but I also have a large format 4x5 Toyo film camera for product shots and specialised fashion/portrait shots. When shooting 4x5 I usually use Kodak saturated slide film. I have a ProFoto Acute2 flash system with a ringflash (endorsements?). This kit is completely portable not to mention airplane/travel safe.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?

Sadly, becoming a professional photographer really reqires nothing more than a camera and waking up one day and saying, "I'm gonna be a professional photographer!" Then you con somebody into paying you to take pictures of their ugly wedding/kids/selves and you're on the road. You should develop your own style and try to make images that people will know who it came from. Stay honest and put your personality in anything you do. It's OK to emulate your heroes, but a crappy knock off of a published photo is worse that just being bad. One last thought: your friends, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, family, and especially your ultra-proud mother don't know a thing about photography. If you want input on whether you have talent, ask other photographers that you would not directly compete with (for well-placed honesty), artists, or even better, show your work to galleries and ask for opinions.

Do you shoot weddings?

A few times each year I accept commissions to celebrate weddings, but I get booked up pretty fast. Please check out pictures from the latest wedding.Enter the wedding section

Why is the wedding section so hard to find?

Like I said, I only do them a limited amount of times annually and to be honest, most of these slots get taken up by friends and former clients. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't ask

What's up with "Roberto"?

From the very beginning I went by Roberto. My Italian grandmother, Alda, would call my name though the house. As I grew older, I switched to Robert, then Bobby, Bob, then back to Robert. When my grandmother died, I decided to come back to my roots and Roberto was born again. Carpe Roberto! You can call me whatever you want. Only an eight year old cares what you call him.