I had the honor of shooting the lovely Sofia Roque’s video debut.
We’ve done several photo shoots together but really wanted to turn things up a notch.
This was a fun, spur of the moment, on the quick fast kinda thing we shot at headquarters.
But we’re quite proud of how it turned out.
Our cutoff logo tee, some music, a whole lotta laughing and you have, magic.
Thank you, Sofia <3
Aleksandra Wydrych
Polish photographer/model.
* Featured in Vogue as photo of the day 1/1/2012 *
Things you already know about Iggy Azalea:
She’s raunchy and she’s a blonde Australian fox. But she can say whatever she wants cuz shes a fine muh’fukka and she can rap.
Things you might now know about her:
The name “Iggy” comes from a pet dog she had that just seemed invincible, a scrappy mutt that refused to die. “Azalea” comes from a street near her neighborhood in Australia.
At 17 She saved up some money as a cleaning lady to make her dreams come true and moved to Miami where she paid about $400 for rent. I don’t know her living situation but 4 papers anywhere in Miami has to be pretty hood. Respect.
*** Lesser known Iggy facts ***
I’ve been following her on the twitters and checked her on Ustream and shes just a regular down to earth person. Sweet and humble. She keeps in touch with her fans as much as she can and on a consistent basis. Iggy is also a pretty honest lady. She can count on one hand the dudes that’ve piped her. I hope she’s referring to the big foam hand with 2 fingers you see at sports games because I want to believe she’s a real life angel. Pure as can be.
photo by Natalia Mantini
download her mixtape “Ignorant Art” here…
WOWEEEEEEE!
Killer smiles are like kryptonite.
by Jake Davis
http://vimeo.com/23768728
If you follow Rok The Spot on Tumblr (you should be), then you know that weeks ago I went out to the beach for a spiritual journey of sorts. I ended up walking past a model and a photographer who asked if I could help them out for a bit by holding an umbrella to block out the sun. Obviously my only option was to agree.
The lovely model’s name is Alexia. She is Spanish, Greek, German, Italian, and Chinese. Clearly, that’s a winning combo right thurrr. She turned out to be as nice as she is pretty, so that makes her one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. Alexia told me that wasn’t the type of shoot that she normally does and after looking at some of her previous work, I saw why.
Heres a behind the scene flick I took while taking a break from being a superstar holder of umbrellas. Word to Fonzworth Bentley:
“Sometimes you go to the beach to get high. Sometimes you go for a swim. And sometimes you go to learn the technical aspects of photography.” – photographer dude
* * * I completed 2 out of those 3 * * *
I asked Alexia if she could answer a few random questions for me and she did.
See, I told you she was nice!
-If you got stuck listening to 3 albums for a month, what would they be?
-Interpol: Antics
-Radio head: In Rainbows
-Radio head: Ok Computer
-Do you dance like nobody’s looking?
I do dance like nobodys watching. I like to have fun, and love to dance. But I am a professional bellydancer and I do like to perform and have people watch my shows.
Amen, sista. I’ve said it before, I dont understand people that dont dance, especially girls.
-Do’s and dont’s to staying on your good side?
To stay on my good side you must have a sense of humor, that includes sarcasm. You also must have a humble and kind demeanor at the end of the day. I can’t stand stuck up, close minded stuff people.
Rok The Spot is all about that, and chivalry. We be holding doors and pulling chairs and shit like that too cuz we’re mad classy. Btw I truly believe sarcasm is an artform.
-How do you feel about Miami?
Miami is fun, and feels like a south american country, but cleaner and with out as many of the political problems. I’m not sure how long I will stay.
-Who is the coolest person to hold an umbrella to block out the sun in one of your shoots?
Hands down, Felipe!
That is correct!
-What comes to mind when you hear the name “Rok The Spot?”
Rok the spot makes me think of Hipster scene kids, who are into contemporary art, and dirt electro. HAHA
Pretty ill 
That sounds about right. If theres no dirt, I probably dont want anything to do with it.
Thank you so much for your time Alexia! Wish you the best in your modeling adventures!
To contact Alexia for modeling inquiries check her on Model Mayhem here…
Ira Chernova is a Russian photographer/model. I had seen her photos floating around the internet (uncredited) for months and months and kept wondering, WHO IS SHEEEE?!?!? Luckily I found out through http://www.reneeruin.com/ =] Since then I’ve been able to chat with her and keep up with her work.
Ira Chernova has only been taking photos for a few years after coming across an old camera. She’s been giving us beautiful images from both sides of the lens ever since. Her travels have taken her across Russia, France, Portugal, Holland, Czech Republic and maybe someday *fingers crossed*, the United States. Ira has also been featured in Inked Magazine and shot for Dillinger Escape Plan.
It took longer for me to pick the photos to use than it did for her to get back to me. You cant blame me because if I could, I’d use all of her photos.
Here’s what she had to say.
What equipment do you shoot with?
It all depends from my mood and the type of picture i’m looking for
Do you prefer film or digital and why?
Can not really choose, i like it both. Absolutely different types of pics.
I feel the same way, I miss the darkroom process of shooting film though.
by Ekaterina Grigorieva
A good amount of photographers I’ve met have another artistic talent that they’re interested in or are good at. Do you?
Nope, unfortunately I’m quite miserable in knowing how to do only one thing.
Aw, well its better to be really great at one thing than mediocre at several things.
You are another photographer that doesn’t consider herself a model, but takes great self portraits. If the opportunity presents itself for you to make a living modeling full-time, would you accept?
You know, it always depends. Everything goes so closer nowadays, but I
can be doing it only in the case I have enough time for my photography.
Where do you want to be with your photography a year from now? Magazines, solo shows, touring w/bands?
I want it all!
Even though you are a work-aholic, what do you do for fun
that is not photography related?
Emmmm… can not think about anything certain. I guess just hanging out with my friends is enough. Or clothes shopping, damn, I love it.
You said some people where you live don’t like that you have tattoos. Did you know this before you got yours, or care? Because even though you say you’re shy that seems brave.
I’m not thinking about impressing or frightening anybody with tattoos… I love them, I’m making it for myself, it’s just not very comfortable getting attention in the streets, people should think about themselves instead of criticizing others.
If you hadn’t found photography 4 years ago, what would you be doing now?
No idea
I’ll tell you this though, everyone is happy that photography found you.
How did you get your head in a dinosaur’s mouth? It’s a rare photo to see you so smiley =]
Haha, yeah, I just do not have many “live” photos. It is just a sweet toy in a store.
Haha. AwwwmNomnomnommm.
Coolest thing that has happened to you as a result of photography?
Ive met many awesome people.
How do you feel about the photos posted online that don’t credit you?
It’s internet, nothing can be done about it.
by Mary Kuzmenkova
Sad but true. Whenever I see art/photography that I like, I always want to know who the artist is so I could see more.
How does it feel though to see that after only a few years of taking pictures, they’re all over the internet?
Mmm, it’s not the level yet i wanna reach but not the worse beginning at the same time.
After browsing your journal, I could definitely see progression in your work, especially recently.
Its obvious that you’re a Metallica fan, what music do you listen to that puts you in a happy mood?
Metallica have plenty of happy songs 
I like Jane’s Addiction, Tricky, Prodigy, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly etc
What is beautiful to you?
Beauty is everything what we love.
What is your favorite part of traveling?
I will sound really boring again but it’s all in together
Any plans to visit the U.S?
Yep, planning it for a long time. Hope to have some nice work somewhere soon to finally be able to afford it during summer.
Awesome! The entire country awaits for your arrival.
If I don’t ask many people will be upset. Are you happy and single/taken/ unavailable?
Then I can help people not being upset telling that i’m happily single.
I could actually hear people smiling after that response. Thank you so much for your time!
For more of Ira Chernova’s work:
In case you didnt know who we are,what we do and what we represent….This is how we get down,now tell a friend ,fiend or even a foe and place an order.More shirts coming soon,stay tuned(I like the way u ironed that shirt Flipz)
dont forget to check for us on Facebook and “Like/Love” the FanPage
As an artist, i find inspiration through, among other things, art of all mediums (yes DANCE is an art Lauren =] ). But instead of just showing you pictures i like, I thought it would be a better idea if you got to know a bit about the actual artists whose work inspire me.
Our first artist feature is the very lovely photographer and amateur ghost hunter (im serious), Lauren Peralta. She wears chuck taylors religiously (10 pts for that), loves cuddly animals, and has gained quite a bit of notoriety for a dope tattoo.
I first learned of Lauren through a random modeling forum, where I took a liking to her pretty much right away. First because of her sense of humor and really, besides her modeling she just stood out. I was even more amazed when i found out she was an equally talented photographer. She has been kind enough to take time away from school and being awesome to answer some questions…which actually makes her more awesome =]
I bring to you, Lauren Peralta!
Flipz5: I know at one point you were into drawing and painting, does the urge ever come back to you?
Lauren: It does actually, quite often. I don’t draw so much anymore because I don’t feel that I’m good enough at it really. But I still occasionally break out my ink and paint some things. I’m actually painting my friend Hannah something for her birthday in April, so maybe I’ll be posting that after I give it to her. Who knows, I’m tricky like that.
Flipz5: Was there one specific or several factors that made you decide to pursue photography over painting? (FYI,sometime before the apocalypse i’ll probably paint a picture from one of your photos.)
Lauren: Haha, fantastic! I love when people paint my photographs. Joe Reimer (www.joereimer.deviantart.com) recently sent me a canvas print of a painting he did from one of my photos and it was amazing! I chose photography over painting simply because I enjoyed it more. From the second I picked up a camera, it was a perfect match.
Flipz5: What equipment do you have in your picture taking artillery?
Lauren: I shoot digitally with a Canon 450D. I shoot film with a Rebel K2. I have 3 lenses, the 85mm 1.8, a 50mm 1.4, and a 28-135mm zoom. My favorite is the 85mm. Mmmm, 85mm.
Flipz5: Are there specific subjects or themes you love seeing in pictures?
Lauren: I love people. All sorts of people. People I love. People I hate. Old people. Young people. All around. But I have to say that I love photographing women (as creepy as that sounds). When I started taking photos, I took a lot of self portraits. It was an experience in learning to become confident with my appearance, an exercise in learning what poses and angles work best, and enhancing and emphasizing the natural curves and crevices of the human body. The female body has always been absolutely amazing and intriguing to me in my drawings, so I’m drawn to it in my photography as well. More than that, a lot of times I’ll do faceless portraits to make the viewer try to figure out who it is or what is happening to them. In my normal portraits, I want the viewer to read the honesty and integrity of the person in the photo. I want them to know who they are just by looking at them.
Flipz5: Theres something about your photos, i always feel like Im in the moment with the image. You capture only a fraction of a second but it seems full of life.
When is a picture “just right” to you?
Lauren: Thank you! That’s what I strive for, really. I can’t really describe when a photo is just right. I’ll be shooting for hours before I get just ONE photo that clicks the button in my head that says “that’s fucking IT.” And then I flip out and go crazy from being so elated that I got that one image that I knew was just what I was looking for. Either that, or it’s an amazing surprise and I’ve amazed myself by capturing it at exactly the right time.
Flipz5: Obviously a pretty face doesnt always = great photo. Describe your mindset while taking a self portrait, and when shooting another model.
Lauren: Definitely not! I’ve had pretty faces that didn’t have any kind of truth or honesty written on them. People assume all the time that the conventionally pretty model wins in the photographer’s mind. To some, that’s the way it is. Not for me. I like to see raw emotion, not the fake plastic kind.
When I take self portraits it’s more of baring my emotions, my thoughts, my ideas. My self portraits tend to be more conceptually driven than my model portrait work because I don’t like relying on other people to perfectly convey what I’m trying to show you. The photos I take of models… I really don’t even like to call them models anymore because they’re just people. They’re not pretending, in most cases. I just kind of tell them to do what they normally do and I secretly take pictures in the background. Once in awhile I’ll yell “DON’T FUCKING MOVE” of course, but other than that, it’s all spontaneous. I want you guys to see the person as I observe them.
Flipz5: You’ve shot some beautiful models who happen to be your friends. How vital is the model-photographer relationship to a create a beautiful image?
Lauren: It’s pretty vital, I’ve found. I’ve had some awkward models that stiffen up and ask me what they’re supposed to do. You really need someone to just do their thing and not feel like they’re being watched or judged by a camera lens, you know? I like when my models feel really comfortable with me, which is why I often use my friends. Plus, a fake smile is never as good as the real deal.
Flipz5: Honest smiles are the best!
Tell us about some photographers or websites you frequent for inspiration.
Lauren: My friend Brandon Aviram gives me immense amounts of inspiration. I admired his work for a year or two before even meeting him. He later told me the same thing, which I felt really good about, as you can imagine. Oh god, there are so many artists that I love. I’d have to send you a whole separate email with a list of them! (I’ll probably do that for you anyway!)
(photo: Brandon Taylor Aviram)
Flipz5: From what I’ve seen, you are also truly talented in front of the camera. What would it take for you to delve more in to the modeling aspect of photography?
Lauren: I’m down to model whenever. I just tend to watch my step because I’m really tentative about meeting people I don’t know personally. There’s a lot of creeps out there!
Flipz5: Youre currently still in school, plans after graduation? its a scary thought, i know.
Lauren: You just scared me. Next question.
Flipz5: Yipes!
Are there any other art forms that you’re skilled at,or would like to try out?
Lauren: I always feel weird about saying I’m skilled at something. I don’t even technically think I’m “skilled” at photography, I just like doing it and people tell me it’s good so I just roll with it hahaha. Anyway, the only other art forms I feel remotely comfortable with is painting/drawing. If you consider dance an art form (which I do) I always wanted to be a dancer. Way before even considering art. Fun fact, haha.
Flipz5: At this point you’re pretty close to the 1 million mark on your flickr account, thats awesome! What are the most notable differences in the photography of “100 views Lauren” to, “ALMOST 1 MILLION views Lauren”?
Lauren: Oh man. I forgot that I had that many views! I didn’t really take much notice of the view count on flickr as I did on DA before I left the site, so I hardly noticed that it skyrocketed to that point until recently. My work gets so many views and comments when I upload new work now, that sometimes it’s overwhelming and I’m very happy to see that it affects people in the ways that it does. I’ve gotten so many messages telling me that I’m an inspiration and I’m absolutely elated, you have no idea! Granted, the views, comments, and favorites tend to be when I upload self portraits, but I started out as a self portrait artist, so I suppose I understand.
Flipz5: Who’s had a larger impact on your growth as a photographer, the internetz or photography pals, who are also reaally talented.
Lauren: In all honesty… my photo friends and the internet both have assisted me in refining what I know, but that was after I learned how to do most of it on my own. I picked up a camera and was determined to know how to work it and make my pictures resonate “Lauren Peralta.”
Flipz5: I think your Plum Blossom tattoo is dope because the artwork alone is great, it fits you well and i think its straight up classy. Does something have to be absolutely perfect for you to get it inked, or are you a bit impulsive?
Lauren: Why thank you The drawings of my tattoos have to be absolutely PERFECT before getting them put on me permanently. I spent two years prior to getting my plum blossoms done deciding exactly what I wanted. The rest of them all have some kind of extreme sentimental value. With the exception of the snake… which… was really the most impulsive… I saw the drawing and called shotgun. But still. That thing is fucking baller.
Flipz5: You’re happily taken, BUT, if you werent, what is an absolute must for any guy to even begin thinking of catching your attention? dealbreaker? what if he wears pokemon boxers?
Lauren: I’m REALLY picky about people in general. Little things set me off. If you can’t spell, you’re out. If you’re ignorant, see ya. If you can’t accept an opposing viewpoint, peace out. If you aren’t able to grow up, not gonna work. If you attract more drama than a middle school clique, no way. If you talk funny (this entails the overly excited mannerisms in speech that don’t fit at all, or the monotone cavemen that can’t expand their vocabulary past “need attention”), ain’t gonna happen. There’s a lot, to be honest with you. I can’t help it. If I am gonna find a suitable mate, he’s gotta be just right. He also has to be able to deal with my obnoxiously loud belching abilities, the fact that I’m practically naked all over the internet, my stubbornness, the fact that I have an IQ over 70, I can argue like nothing you’ve ever seen, and the fact that I put myself before anyone else. Luckily I have found that man. As for the pokemon boxers… they are a must.
Flipz5: You claim to be a little awkward,but i know you have a great sense of humor. Name some movies that were so funny it hurt, or made you laugh so hard you cried.
Lauren: Oh man! I’m drawing a total blank. You would think I’d remember the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. I also have the worst memory, in addition to my awkwardness. The last movie that had me in stitches was The Hangover. I giggle-snorted my ass off. Yes, I giggle-snort. :/
Flipz5: I only remember a little bit about pokemon, but do you think Ash ever got in to Misty’s pants? Why was he such a wuss about it?
Lauren: I think Misty is a closet slut. I’m pretty sure she let Ash in her pants on the first commercial break during the episode they met. I also firmly believe that Ash did not fulfill her expectations and that is why she was such a cunt to him throughout the rest of the show. It’s feasible.
Flipz5: I dont think you’re a fan of little childrens,but you do like little aminals. What super cuddly fuzzy creatures do you want more than anything? What would you name them?
Lauren: Hate children. LOVE animals. I have two wonderful dogs back at home that I adore, but if I were to be granted another fuzzy, cuddly creature, it would have to be another puppy. I’m a dog lover for sure. And puppies just make me go all melty inside.
Flipz5: You’ve just finished a photoshoot with Hermione Granger. She’s so absolutely elated to be photographed by the All-Mighty Lauren Peralta that she leaves her book of spells behind. What’cha gonna do?
Lauren: Jack that shit. And fix her GODDAMN HAIR with magic.
Flipz5: What do you think when you hear the name “Rok The Spot”?
Lauren: Rockin’ some spots. Which leads me to think of dalmations. Headbanging dalmations.
Flipz5: Imagine you could have your dream shoot, RIGHT NOW!
Money,time period,location,planet are no obstacle.
Explain,who,what,when,where, why?
Lauren: Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightley. Together. Naked. Okay fine, I’ll stop talking about my sexual fantasies. But really, if I had the option, those two women are DROP DEAD perfect. Not only would I love to meet them, but to be able to take their photo would be amazing. I don’t care when or where. Before I die, and anywhere.
Flipz5: Do you have any final words of wisdom, or anything we should look out for from you in the near future?
Lauren: Feed me soup and we shall be best friends forever. That is all. <3
* Lauren posted this after the interview, but I thought all of you should read this. This is a very sincere reply and I hope it helps everyone who might have issues with their self-image =]
Check out more from Lauren Peralta on :
