The Artful Nomad

the cannery

2012-02-10T04:37:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Ron Skei

Todos Santos, Mexico - Zoefest - September 2011

other side

2012-02-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

Photographed by L. Raye

My apartment, Oakland, CA - November 2011

Tomorrow (which in actuality is now today) I should be doing my first trade shoot as a photographer shooting a model who is not one of my nude model friends. I had set one up for a couple weeks ago, but never heard from the model on the day of the shoot, thus deeming myself "officially a photographer," as I had my first experience as a photographer having a newbie model cancel on her.

One of my goals for this year is to start shooting more and create beautiful images from both sides of the camera.

sweet morning light

2012-02-07T11:37:00.001-08:00

Photographed by Alvin Blackwell

Galveston, TX - January 2012

How can you judge if a model is "nice" or "friendly" just by looking at their portfolio?

Here I look sweet and flirty as could be. In the previous post I looked serious. And in the post before then I looked intense. This cute expression would not be well fit for a fine art nudes in nature sort of shoot, or so that is my belief. My less frequent nature of cute looks does not mean I am not "nice," I just seem to model a bit more in the art genre than the glamour. (Just ask around or get me in your studio and you'll soon find out first hand) :)

Caltrain inefficiency

2012-02-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Frits Kraefft

Amsterdam, Netherlands - January 2012

I left my home at 12:50 pm to take Bart and Caltrain to San Jose for a shoot - I arrived at the station at 3:38, was picked up at 4 pm and commenced shooting at 4:20 pm. Sometimes not having a car in this area is beastly. Fortunately I was dropped off at Bart, and my way home was only about an hour and 20 minutes, which was much more manageable. While in a way rather close, San Jose is tough to get to from Oakland without a car.

Sand

2012-02-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Robert Triboli

Sacramento, CA - Fall 2011

My accomplishments as far as my to-do list is about as efficient as picking up sand with a fork.

Grounded again

2012-02-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Peter Oglive

New Mexico - 2011

February will be a grounded month; March and beyond I will resume my travels.

Miffed

2012-01-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

Longing

Self-portrait

Amsterdam, Netherlands - January 2012

My quest for personal fitness took me to the YMCA gym and stripped me of my drivers license.

An hour and a half after I stepped in the gym, I returned to the front desk to pick up the drivers license I had been required to leave as a guest of the facilities, and found it had been lost. I am astounded. And now unable to rent a car or drive. With a trip to Los Angeles coming up, this is a complete mess. I am fortunate enough to have an apartment I may do some shooting in, but am disappointed by the shoots I will now be unable to do.

The fact that an organization has a policy of holding drivers licenses and yet cannot keep track of them is completely unacceptable in my opinion. And apparently all they feel they owe me is the money to replace my ID?

Diving

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Noah Kalina

Brooklyn, NYC - 2009

In the Clouds

2012-01-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have returned to California after one of the most amazing experiences to be had.

Self-portraits

Budapest, Hungary - January 2012

3 Museums in One Day

2012-01-03T22:59:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Billy Sheahan

Todos Santos, Mexico - Zoefest 2011

Today I went to the Francesca Woodman exhibit at the SFMOMA. This exhibit runs until February 20. If you will be in San Francisco I highly suggest you visit this.

Afterwards I had a run in with a peanut at a vegetarian chinese restaurant that resulted in a bit of delirium during my visit to a fortune cookie and tofu factory shop. I survived to continue to the Chinese Heritage Museum and Cable Car Museum (the Cable Car Museum was very cool). And to my evening photoshoot.

Time to pack for Houston and Europe...

plunge

2012-01-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't traveled anywhere in 3 whole weeks. I have to be honest - I have a bit of anxiety about this upcoming trip to Europe. Ready or not, it's time to take the plunge.

Photographed by Billy Sheahan

Todos Santos, Mexico - Zoefest 2011

New Year

2012-01-01T16:14:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Rick Ochoa

NYC, NY - Summer 2011

I did absolutely nothing today. Happy New Year!

belly

2011-12-27T22:51:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Robert Triboli

Sacramento, CA - Summer 2011

I have latkas and donuts in my belly. I hear the gym calling.

New Year Already?

2011-12-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Photographed by CS Photographics

Little Rock, Arkansas - Spring 2011

In America as soon as Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is upon people's minds. And while Thanksgiving comes and goes, signs of Christmas are everywhere. Now that Christmas has been celebrated, bits of wrapping paper and holiday trinkets will linger, Hanukah will persist for two more nights, and thoughts of the coming new year are even stronger.

The new year offers the sense of opportunity for renewal. The date marker not only the start to a new calendar where the cycle starts anew, but the commencement of a fresh period of time. An occasion for changes. I like to think every day of the year can be a day to modify your life to live to the fullest, but if a concrete break from old and new is helpful, I can embrace that (this is, after all, tradition). I, too, am cooking up a list of goals for 2012 - professionally and personally. Are you?

girls

2011-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Mel Brackstone

Models: Rebecca Lawrence, Candace Nirvana and me

Todos Santos, Mexico - October 2011

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah!

Europe!

2011-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Marcus Ranum

Edited by Bergkristalle

Pennsylvania - Summer 2011

A year ago I had it all figured out. Or at least, I had my general schedule worked out to have me work nonstop in 2010 and to jet to South America come the start of 2011. I was to embark in a 6 month backpacking trip and spend as much time speaking Spanish and as little time speaking English as possible. Then life happened.

I am spending the bulk of January in Europe. A plane ticket and a shoot goes a long way. If anyone here reading this has ever wanted me to come shoot with you - make it happen! This is going to be my year of a bit more spontaneity.

Today is today is tomorrow

2011-12-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Robert Farnham

Todos Santos, Mexico - October 2011

Today I commence my journey home. After a full day of travel, I will return from the future and be in Oakland to once again experience today. Crossing the international date line make possible bizarre statements like this.

nudity or not

2011-12-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Mac Moss

Greensboro, NC - Spring 2011

On occasion I do shoots which require my comfort with nudity but do not ask for nudity (or much showing) n the final images.

Lisa Jupiter

2011-12-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

Top and bottom photographed by Helmut

Middle photographed by Perry Julien

Models: Lisa Jupiter, myself

Lisa Jupiter lives in Sacramento, which conveniently enough is only a train ride away from Oakland where I will be spending a fair amount of time this winter (December through February). If anyone is traveling through the San Francisco Bay Area, I think it would be wonderful to team up with her for another shoot. (hint, hint)

Shooting with friends

2011-12-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Eric Mayr

Anoush, Rebecca Lawrence, Myself

NYC, NY - September 2011

Both of my shoots today were duo shoots - one was with the lovely Ayla Maya who I recently met and the other with my good friend Anoush. It was a long, but good day.

Light painting

2011-11-26T17:02:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Brett

Queensland, AUS - November 2010

Instant coffee cannot truly be considered coffee, but mixed with a bit of milk, the warm, sweet, coffee-like flavor has become a familiar experience to me while in Australia, staying with people who typically do not drink the caffeinated beverage or choose to purchase the milky flat whites from corner cafes. I am enjoying my second cup of the morning (so it may be noon - morning and afternoon is all relative) and liken my experience to that of a beverage half way between a chalky-rich hot cocoa and a real coffee.

The weather has been uncooperative here in Australia; less than the balmy to warm as I had hoped for, rain and overcast skies have been a continue part of my experience. Today I take a trip to the Snowy Mountains (which currently do not have snow) with a photographer I met at Zoefest last year, Brett. I hope the wind and cold will be to a minimum. Originally light painting and shooting with stars was part of the agenda, but between weather issues and a broken camera, the plan has changed. Two zoefests ago, Rebecca Lawrence and I shot with Brett and did some light painting, but not with stars.

beastly

2011-11-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

Ron Compton

Connecticut - September 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:14:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Rob Randall

Raleigh, North Carolina - September 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Australians do not celebrate Thanksgiving as people in the United States do, but Thanksgiving has always been an important holiday in my family and I find myself feeling incredibly thankful for these past years of my life.

plop

2011-11-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Ken Prevette

ABQ, New Mexico - October 2011

Still on US time, I woke at 5:30 am for a shoot that had to be postponed due to weather and proceeded to cook breakfast and plop myself down on a couch with lightroom, the internet and Season 1 of Mad Men. Perhaps not the best use of my second day in Sydney, but I'm content. I feel being able to sit and enjoy simple pleasures, rather than feeling pressured to constantly tour around, is part of the nomadic lifestyle as opposed to a tourist lifestyle. Yesterday I took a ferry to Cockatoo Island and photographed the artwork and installations that are currently exhibited, as well as the permanent structures of the place.

Weather

2011-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Photographed by David Gilliver

Melbourne, Australia - Spring 2011

Today, the weather controls all.

time change

2011-11-16T02:23:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Kris Rodammer

Boston, MA - Spring 2011

Between a few flat whites (coffee!), a photo exploration and ferry ride, upbeat music, grilled vegetables and scotch, I've managed to stay awake and energetic until now (9:23 pm) despite the fact that it is probably obscenely late back in California where I was a day and a half ago, but now I am starting to crash.

I'm not convinced my body is thoroughly happy after being cramped on a plane for so many hours, but tomorrow's morning shoot will tell.

good day

2011-11-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Robert Triboli

Sacramento, CA - November 2011

I smell onions and tofu cooking on the stove and have homeroasted coffee in my belly...

My previous two weeks in the bay area have been a perfect balance of relaxation, work and play. My good friend Rebecca Lawrence stayed this past week, and learned that the West coast may be pretty awesome, at least up until midnight.

Sometimes I joke about how my job is to be pretty and creative, and to withstand the cold. The weather is always unpredictable in the bay area, and Robert and I were worried about our plans to shoot outdoors during our shoot the other day. Our backup plan never came to fruition, as we braved the cold all morning (the locations were well worth a dose of chill) and shot in the guest bedroom until dinner.

Onwards to even warmer places...(Australia!)

Cop

2011-11-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Jose Cordova

Dallas, TX - October 2011

Shooting topless across from a Texas police station, and being able to see stationed cop vehicles surrounding the location, makes for a slightly perilous shoot. (Take note of the cop truck directly in my line of sight)

Too many options

2011-11-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

Photographed by Chip Bulgin

Baltimore, MD - Fall 2011

The concept of a home is very appealing to me. But my plans to run around the southern hemisphere may interfere.

chill

2011-11-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

This morning I was playing dress up - I had on a pair of white panties.

Photographed by Doug Earle

San Antonio, TX - October 2011

High contrast

2011-11-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

Photographed by ProDigiArts

Maryland - September 2011

Photographed by sn7photo

Maryland - September 2011

I'm rather keen on high contrast. And a great environment to shoot in. Now that I am back in the Bay Area though, shooting outside might leave us with a few too many goosbumps in our photos.

Texas, California, Australia

2011-10-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Xan

Binghamton, NY - September 2011

I am slowing down with my travels as this year comes to a close, and going to be in only a few more states and locations. Of course, this is all relative as my concept of "a long time," is about a week or two in a city. :)

Booking :
Texas, California, Australia

San Francisco/Sacramento/San Jose: November 2 - 13, December 14 - January 2

Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne): November 16 - December 12

Texas (Houston, San Antonio): January 6 - 15

January 18 : Gone for 7 months

yee haw

2011-10-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Alvin B

Chattanooga, TN - October 2011

Look, ma, I've got clothes on. Well...almost.

I have spent the past week in Mexico with a group of art models and photographer as part of a yearly event called "zoefest." There have been an abundance of naked, beautiful girls running and the proportion of talent and art making has been equally as high, as each model here is highly creative and talented. I have enjoyed seeing my friends and making new ones, creating art and socializing, but after a week I can easily say it is time to go home.

Mexico

2011-10-23T07:55:00.001-07:00

Photographed by Jose Cordova

Dallas, TX - October 2011

Vamos a Mexico!

Vida esta buena.

hotels

2011-10-21T07:42:00.001-07:00

Photographed by Perry Julien

Hotel, Atlanta, GA - October 2011

Anthony Ho

Hotel, San Francisco, CA - 2011

I am a believer in using hotels as a convenient and good shooting location. All hotels offer some basic backdrops for shooting, and depending upon the hotel, can provide anywhere from a basic to a grungy to an elegant location to shoot in. There are often ample lamps around for available light shooting, or a few lights from your home or studio can transform a hotel into your own studio for the duration of the shoot.

And if a model needs a place to stay while in a city, she's usually happy to make use of the bed after the shoot.

Tarzan

2011-10-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Carol Blankfield

Maryland, Nudes In Nature Event - September 2011

Crisis averted. I am traveling in my usual manner - with only a modest sized suitcase. However, I appear to have neglected to bring several key clothing items I generally live in. I need to keep busy modeling so people don't realize I only have about one set of actual clothing. :)

***

I ended up working with two photographers from Houston when at the NIN event in Maryland - these photos are from one of them. I found myself climbing a tree and balancing on a perhaps not so stable limb (sometimes I may think I am Tarzan) and climbing onto a pile of sticks and twigs because I was drawn to the texture (and I wondered why I was a bit scratched up).

The big one

2011-10-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Rick Ochoa

Brooklyn, NYC - September 2011

I am packing for warm weather and cold weather. Clothing to wear when not shooting and wardrobe for shoots. Lacy, pretty clothes and shiny, clunky heels. Some things are clean and others stuffed in a bag awaiting laundry. Clothing for the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. This is an excessive amount of stuff.

As much as I hate it, I have deemed this the time for my large suitcase. Oh how I detest the thought of dragging this massive bag around and feeling like a typical girl.

Easy Terms

2011-10-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Edward Badham

Birmingham, AL - Spring 2011

With access to a location like this, it seems scandalous not to create a somewhat racy series.

Apple

2011-10-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Photographed by George Pitts

Brooklyn, NYC - Summer 2011

Petite Danseur

2011-10-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Craig White

NYC, NY - September 2011

Arty, moody, elegant, pretty, textural...these qualities I like.

baseball

2011-10-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Tim Obremski

Brooklyn, NYC - September 2011

I have been warned watching baseball can be dreadfully boring; with my laptop and emails to send, I can never be bored.

Better than a stick in the eye as my father always says

2011-10-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Anthony Alberts

Edited by me

Brooklyn, NYC - Summer 2011

I have a story to tell about a girl who went in for a Texas State Car Inspection and left with a stick in her tire and soon after found herself with a new tire. But I'll leave you with this possibly equally as controversial an image.

Red

2011-10-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Schwartzphoto

Oakland, CA - 2011

Photographed by Helmut

Atlanta, GA - 2011

Red really is a good color.

Me

2011-10-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Photographed by George Pitts

Brooklyn, NY - Spring 2011

Although I am usually photographed with my big mane of hair down, on a daily basis I tend to keep my hair rolled up in a bun. I really love this photo of me - the bonafide real me.

Just Because

2011-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Photographed by DEyePhotography

Mission Beach, Queensland, Australia - September 2010

I now own pants that fit. A small, but impressive step towards being a human being during the fall.

Stepping ahead

2011-10-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Jamie Hankin

NYC, NY - September 2011

I followed well given advice and stayed in Asheville and extra night, driving down to Atlanta this morning instead of in the dark of last night. My body is happier, but without coffee I might be sleeping right now.

I am always a step ahead of myself. Today I commence my Australia travel notifications, and that is both a whole month and a half and only a month and a half away.

Allergens

2011-09-30T09:14:00.001-07:00

Caged - Scan of Wet Plate

Photographed by Marcus Ranum

Middle of Nowhere, PA - August 2011

After a full weekend of shooting at the Nudes In Nature workshop in the Maryland area and a few too many encounters with allergens, I am officially exhausted. I was also modeling for hours in my dreams last night, which seemed a little bit unfair of a way to "rest."

Between a damp and moldy hotel room, shooting in a bin of moldy corn cobs (but the location was really cool looking!) and a friend who encouraged me to eat a hot sauce at a Peruvian restaurant that had peanuts in it (he promised me it was peanut free as I asked him repeatedly), my immune system is not very happy.

I spent yesterday with my favorite dentist in Asheville, doing absolutely nothing that resembled work.

Regular

2011-09-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Kevin Stiles

CT - September 2011

I ordered a cup of coffee at a corner store in not the nicest of Brooklyn areas. I was asked, "regular?" and said yes. When a cup of cream, sugar and coffee was handed back to me I told them to fix it. "You said 'regular,'...everything regular has sugar in it," the guy at the counter told me with disdain. I had to bite my tongue.

The second and third photo here looks rather normal, but what you cannot tell is that I am wedged between two large rocks and leaning upside down. Getting to come up with wacky ways to integrate myself in nature for photographs is very much a thrill to me. The bee that came buzzing around me while stuck in this position, however, was as unwanted as the sugar put in my coffee earlier today. :)

Paris

2011-09-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Warren Hukill

East Bay, CA - July 2011

I am in need of some pretty lingerie for an upcoming shoot, but as someone who hates shopping and does not often wear such things, and who is slightly less busty than the sizes at Victoria's secret, I'm at a loss on how to obtain such things. This is probably a Keira specific problem.

Vortex

2011-09-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Anthony Alberts

Edited by me

Brooklyn, NY - Summer 2011

I'm in the NYC vortex.

Schedule update

2011-09-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Marcus Ranum

Middle of Nowhere, PA - August 2011

Time for the schedule update:

NYC: September 13 – 23 (and the surrounding region - public transportation is my friend)

DC Nudes in Nature Workshop: September 24 – 25 (Check it out! Still booking)

DC: September 26 - 27
Asheville: September 26 – 30
Atlanta: October 1 – 4
Tennessee: October 5 – 7
Arkansas: October 8?

Dallas: October 10 - 11
San Antonio/Austin: October 12 - 13
Houston: October 14-19

New Mexico: October 19 - 22

Mexico: art vortex

San Francisco/San Jose/Sacramento: November 1 - 14
Australia: November 17 - December 12

San Francisco/San Jose/Sacramento: December 14 - January ?

South America: January - ..... (I don't even know)

*****

During those stretches of San Francisco time I can be talked into going somewhere else if booked for a day and flown. :)

PHMag

2011-09-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Walter Glover

Sydney, Australia - April 2011

The current issue of the online PHMagazine has an interview with me and interviews with about a dozen other nude models. Check it out at http://phmag.ca/

Drawers

2011-09-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Michael Cary

Baltimore, MD - August 2011

When I was little I was known to hide in my closet, or rather, to hang out in my closet, which I believe is called neurotic. When I was tiny I removed the entire contents of drawers and sat in the empty space, which is called extra work for mom. As an art model I find grungy dressers, knock them over and pose in them, a photographer documents this, and we call it art.

Marks

2011-09-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

Photographed by ImagZen

Thurmont, MD - August 2011

Yes, the placement of watermarks makes a huge difference.

teapot

2011-09-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Candace Nirvana

Boston, MA - June 2011

I'm a little teapot short and stout...

Random fact of the day:

"Clarence Kelley and his wife ran a dance school for children, which taught the "Waltz Clog", a popular and easy-to-learn tap routine. This routine, however, proved too difficult for the younger students to master. To solve this problem, George Sanders wrote The Teapot Song, which required minimal skill and encouraged natural pantomime." [Wikipedia] Hence became the teapot song in 1939.

Frog

2011-09-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Candid Vision

Morristown, TN - Spring 2011

Horeses

2011-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Tom Albano

Frederick, MD - August 2011

When I was younger I didn't understand why everyone liked horses so much more than goats, cows and pigs. People seemed to love horses and yet, they hated these other animals except for when it came to them serving as a food source. So I had to be contrary, and I disliked horses. I have since then welcomed reason in my life, and horses. Horses are rather amazing creatures.

Portland

2011-09-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Daniel

Portland, Oregon - August 2011

Photos don't get any more natural and relaxed than this.

Parts

2011-08-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Dave Lewis

Seattle, WA - August 2011

I am keen on the textures of skin vs. hair.

The Moon

2011-08-31T06:23:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Philip Chandler

San Francisco, CA - June 2011

Oh dear!

2011-08-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Matthew Schneider

Edited by me

An oldie photo - Portland, Oregon

I have been having a field day editing old photos of myself shot by other photographers.

I need to learn much more about light and get crackin' on my own photos.

Buy:

Card reader

Larger memory cards

Remote trigger

Tripod?

Light meter?

***

I once gave advice to a photographer who was planning on decorating his house. It is not recommended to line the interior walls of your home with deer heads and other taxidermy if you intend on dating many vegans, vegetarians or other generally crunchy people.

Storm

2011-08-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Rick Ochoa

NYC, NY - June 2011

The storm is coming. I say embrace it. Don't cancel your shoots - use it as a reason to get locked indoors with a model, camera and candlelight. Create a new art. The creation process can go on within a walled, dry environment, while nature cause havoc outdoors.

First edits

2011-08-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

walking on unstable ground

all tied up

she emerges

against the night

Photographed by Pablo Fotographia

Edited by Keira

Portland, Oregon - August 2011

With the impending hurricane, I have time on my hands. About a week ago I started playing around with Lightroom, which means I have a new toy to play with instead when not shooting or looking for work.

Dancing on a ledge

2011-08-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Candace Nirvana

Boston, MA - June 2011

Last June I travelled to Boston with my friend Candace Nirvana who is a talented art model and photographer. We had the chance to shoot together briefly and I was in the type of mood that led me to dancing on the windowsill above the fading city lights. I have zero dance training, but I like to think I fake it well.

Sny Snoodles

2011-08-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Russell Devlin
Model: Anoush (who will soon be coming to the US)

Australia - March 2011

I used to be a petite, but huge Star Wars fan. Something about these images takes me to the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine.

Ah sombrero

2011-08-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Beau Hooker

Virginia - August 2011

beer + book + tree - clothing = lovely day off

The past few year I kept seeing beautiful work done by my friend Rebecca Lawrence and Beau, and always wondered who this photographer was. Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet him and shoot, and today I am lounging on his yard and reading.

pull me back

2011-08-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Roberto

Melbourne, AUS - April 2011

While mind and heart feel the tug of the west

body and logic keep telling me to rest.

I can't truly still be jet lagged.

Table

2011-08-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

Coffee break! (I run on coffee)

Lost something? I'll find it

Clearly I make a good table

Photographed by Desmond (Desfolio)
Atlanta, GA - June 2011

In Argentina I would take a night bus as I could fold out my chair into a semi bed and sleep, rather than spend my days feeling crammed on a bus and in order to save a few pesos on a hostel for the night. But red eye flights in the US are not exactly the same. After my flight from Seattle to Raleigh, I found myself needing to rest. But I'm sure my bending, toe pointing and being chipper and photogenic for days have also added to my need for a day to relax and catch up on emails. My east coast trip has commenced and you probably don't know that yet, as my emails are still in the works. So consider yourself informed and let me know when you want to shoot! :)

On the first leg of my flight, I woke at around 3 am to find the chatty older man and young girl on each side of me having a picnic essentially on my lap. Sometimes flights are rather amusing even if exhausting.

Eat your veggies

2011-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

Photographed by LD Out of Focus

I did my ten year stint as a vegetarian starting when I was in 4th grade. Then bad dining hall options and a guy swayed me into eating poultry. A few years later I found myself corrupted and eating pork since, well, who can resist bacon? I never started eating red meat again, not even Argentine beef could sway me.

For about a month I have been a vegetarian once again. This past year I have toyed with the idea of returning to this diet, since pork is not especially healthy, and chicken does not excite me, but really had no concrete reason to do so.

I know I'll be eating meat once I get to South America, but for now I shall abstain.

Absolutes

2011-08-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Noel Marrero

Model Ally

San Jose, CA - July 2011

I have been asked to do an interview, but when staring at the questions all that reaches my brain is static. Favorites? Best? Absolutes can be tough for me.

.... so here are two distinctly different photos from a photoshoot I did in San Jose not long ago. Classical art nudes, quirky art nudes, fetish art, erotic art....there is no favorite with me when it comes to shooting... I like to think I can glide gracefully from genre to genre, posing in such a manner that is most relevant to the situation or request.

Sauvie Island

2011-08-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Andrew Kaiser

Sauvie Island, Portland, OR - August 2011

Every photographer in Portland is told of Sauvie Island when initially asking about a good place with an abundance of nature, enough privacy to easily shoot nudes or a location with clear permission to be naked, and close proximity to Portland. Somehow until this trip I had never made it to this location. On this trip I found myself there on four separate occasions for shoots. One was in the fields in a nature reserve around sunset, another trespassing in the crops as well as on the nude beach as the sun went down as well, a third at dawn sharing the nude beach with a lone nude fisherman (who I watched catch a fish), and my final shoot in the middle of the day on a kayak in a body of water shallow enough for walking alongside the boat. Surprisingly, I still feel as though I could shoot on this island for days or weeks. Each segment, time of day, and photographer brought a different energy and setting to our shooting and the results of the shoots promise to be varied.

Sunrise

2011-08-03T22:19:00.001-07:00

Photographed by Mike Caffrey

NYC, NY - My Birthday

Sometimes I need someone to tell me what to do.

"Hey Keira...you have to wake up early. You have to wake up BEFORE the sun. Go to bed."

Thanks for the help.

Hall Pass

2011-07-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

Photographed by TLGee

Brooklyn, NYC - Spring 2011

My past few weeks have been spent with someone of a semblance of "home," living with a good friend in the bay area and spending time with my family. I have cooked, done laundry on a more regular basis, cleaned a bit, done my pushups (albeit, not enough), walked and biked (on my very own bike), watched two movies thoroughly through, spent a fair amount of time on public transportation and of course worked.

My mother sees my grandmother in the second photo from this series.

Today I will bike to a kite festival to picnic, watch and photograph kites - a social affair marked on my calendar about 3 months ago.

Smoo Gloo

2011-07-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while a photographer finds an amazingly entertaining use for our work together. Al from Melbourne used our work together to create an ad for one of his many mythical projects. Read on and you'll learn all about "smoo gloo." Never heard of a smoo before? Well, soon you'll figure it out. And no, I don't use this product on a regular basis but I do find it to be rather enjoyable...(perhaps the ad more than the product).

Magic

2011-07-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Surrealscapes

Bay Area, CA - 2010

This may not have been accomplished how you think it has been done. A splash of magic is a good component of art.

Morning

2011-07-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Cheshire Scott

New Hampshire - June 2011

I like my coffee richened by milk, but with a zing. Best enjoyed while naked on the couch.

Creepy Art

2011-07-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Fred Link

Atlanta, GA - Spring 2011

I would classify this as an art nude, and yet I feel a bit unsettled looking at this image.

bridge

2011-07-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Glenn Mcguire

Brooklyn, NYC - Fall 2010

Did I ever mention how much I like fantastic locations?

Travel Plans 2011

2011-07-14T09:28:00.001-07:00

Photographed by Tiano

Model: Rebecca Lawrence

Long Island, NY - June 2011

I've worked out many of the dates for where I will "live" the next few months.

Right now I am on the West Coast. I still have time available in San Francisco (and anywhere Bart takes me) and Sacramento, but my availability is limited.

San Francisco/San Jose/Sacramento: July 16 - 30
Oregon/Washington: August 2 - 14

One final swoop of the east coast became necessary - the thought of my previous trip being my last time for so long made me sad. Yes, I like you guys. :)

North Carolina: August 15 -18
Virginia: August 19 – 20
Washington DC: August 21 – 24
Baltimore: August 25 – 28
Philadelphia/Allentown/PA: August 29 – 30
Binghamton: September 1 – 2
September 3 – 4: undecided
Boston/New Hampshire: September 5 – 11
Conneticuit: September 12 – 13
NYC: September 13 – 22
DC: September 24 – 26
Asheville: September 28 – 30

October will be spent returning to Houston with many stops for creating art along the way. I still need to determine the best way to get from Tennessee to Texas as there are several possibilities.

Atlanta: October 1 – 4
Tennessee: October 5 – 6
Austin/San Antonio
Dallas
Houston

Do Stuff

2011-07-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Rob Randall

Raleigh, NC - June 2011

When I model, I just do stuff. It makes for interesting art.

Barbershop

2011-07-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Sean Bolt

Atlanta, GA - July 2011

The other day I was treated to shooting locations that blew me away. Sean Bolt had been away from the artistic side of his photography business for a while and lined up some amazing locations and ideas to shoot with me when I came to town. The classic barber shop we had to ourselves for an hour of nude shooting just goes to show that sometimes looking into a good location and asking for permission pays off. His request to shoot in two barbershops were declined, but on the third place he approached, he was granted full run of the place while the owners went on lunch break. This was in the heart of the south, too.

Sean had great connections with a wonderful restaurant down the street from the barber shop and his friends graciously allowed us to use the restaurant before it was open. He also invited friends to come to part of the photo session, and I was finally in a photo series where I was the one nude person amongst a group of clothed people. I had long wanted to do this sort of thing.

I am thrilled with the experience and the results.

Verbosity

2011-07-07T06:04:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Fred Link

Atlanta, GA - Spring 2011

I used to write much more on my blog and can't decide if it would be better to become more verbally present or just continue on my current trend.

What do you think?

Closet

2011-07-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Dave Boisvert

San Antonio, TX - Spring 2011

What is in your closet?

blank

2011-07-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Frank Joseph

Atlanta, GA - May 2010

Floor

2011-07-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

"Yeah. Just some chick lying on my living room floor." - Kris Rodammer, photographer

Chelsea

2011-06-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Frank Joseph

Chelsea Hotel, NYC - July 2010

I probably don't need to post this many photos from my Chelsea shoot, but I find myself drawn to these images and feel there may be a sort of implied story from the series.

Real

2011-06-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

Photographed by George Liao

Oakland, CA - April 2011

What is most true? The real me, or the reflections seen by others?

Body Image

2011-06-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Sam David Photography

Stamford, CT - June 2011

Body image is a very strange phenomenon. I'm not sure where these abs came from, but apparently they are mine.

Figure studies

2011-06-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

Photographed by R. Blackburn

Bay Area, CA - 2010

My body and mind are going are spacing out for the night, but I did want to share a few photos. I'll be bumping around North Carolina (specifically Asheville), Georgia and Tennessee for a couple of weeks before I go out West for a month. There is still plenty of time to shoot if you are interested.

R.Blackburn has a few photos published in the B&W Special Edition of portfolio contest winners. One of the pieces is a photo from our first session together.

Questions

2011-06-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Roberto

Melbourne, Australia - April 2011

Today during my shoot I was asked all sorts of questions and allowed free range in my modeling.

It may have not been asked, but yes, I have an affinity for the strange. (Of course I can do classically beautiful as well.)

Bike

2011-06-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Look ma, I'm wearing clothes.

Honey Mask

2011-06-16T13:27:00.001-07:00

Photographed by MTKelly

Houston, TX - April 2011

Substances reflect light in unique manners. I have done a few honey shoots in my life, but this was my first time to pour honey on my face. The honey produced results I would not have expected. The honey became like a mask, adding a layer of reflective substance to the entirety of my face, and morphing my appearance. I may not look like myself here, but I do find the photos strangely interesting to look at.

Digital painting

2011-06-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Photographed and digitally painted by Mike Cetta

NYC, NY - June 2011

Model: Candace Nirvana

Candace and I will be traveling and shooting in Boston together for the next few weeks. Traveling with a model friend is a new experience for me, and I am looking forward it. She has been modeling for years and is a beautiful and talented model, and was one of the people I initially looked up to when I first started modeling.

The two of us had shot with Mike Cetta individually previously and he had talked about pairing us together. The other day the shoot suddenly happened when a series of accidental emails were exchanged. Sometimes greatness happens almost spontaneously.

Positive Deviant

2011-06-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Photosensualis

Woodstock, NY - June 2011

I recently read a book which made these life suggestions.

1. Ask an unscripted question

2. Don’t complain

3. Count something

4. Write something

5. Change

I have thought about this listing the past few days.

Ask an unscripted question...

Sometimes asking questions is rather difficult for me. I have to know what to ask. I have to have the confidence to ask. But only by asking questions will I deepen relationships or at least learn something new about something or someone.

Don't complain...

I try to maintain the attitude that life is good. Yes, it could be better, but it also could be worse - very much so. No one wants to hear anyone complain. It does not actually make the complainer feel better (or at least that is the case with me) and may even be arguably a cause for a worsened state of mind.

Count something...

The idea is that counting leads to something. The thing being counted may be shallow at first, but with the count, connections between things can become apparent and things learned.

Write something...

Write anything. Writing can be a way to channel feelings and thoughts. Ideas are be formulated, or recorded for future remembrance. I went through a period where I wrote in abundance, and have pulled away from that practice. This book reminded me to return to my practice of writing.

Change...

We can all change, or at least explore change. Sometimes just exploring a new way of doing something or thinking about an idea can be cause for learning. Not all ideas are worth adopting or believing, but there is some merit in observing different perspectives.

The core of me has remained over the years, but I know something in me has changed. For the better. This is my final blog as a 26 year old - I look forward to seeing how I grow in the upcoming year.

Birthday

2011-06-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Jim Stevenson

Raleigh, NC - April 2011

On Tuesday, June 14 I'll be celebrating my birthday at the Dove Parlour at 228 Thompson St in NYC for a nice evening of cocktails and such. I"ll be there at 7:30. Please let me know if I'll see you there!

Today I'm headed to the Met. ...I guess I need put on some clothes!....

Bridge

2011-06-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

Photographed by UncleGeorge's Dream Photography

NYC, NY - June 2011

Name this bridge!

Treasure hunt

2011-06-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Rebecca Lawrence

Brooklyn, NYC - June 2011

It is easy to feel as though the entire day is available to play when a shoot ends at 9 am in the morning. Today I am going on a treasure hunt. A friend of mine hid a postcard in the city about a month ago when he was visiting. It seemed like the best way to get a postcard to me seeing as I really don't have a home I frequent. I hope the postcard is safely awaiting me.

Time

2011-06-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Photographed by George Pitts
Brooklyn, NYC - March 2011

June already? Where has time gone?

It's about time I start posting these. I've worked with George Pitts a couple of times and am excited to be working with him again on my birthday.

Ticks

2011-05-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

Photographed by John Glenn

Atlanta, GA - May 2011

I went from never having a tick in my life to a couple in only a matter of days. Such is the life of running around naked in nature with a photographer. I spent the evening and morning shooting with Scott Nichol, who shoots wonderfully beautiful fine art, and cooks really well, and can now add to his check list "supervised the removal off tick off of art model's pubic area."

Workshop on Saturday in NYC

2011-05-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Photographed by Michael Randazzo

New Jersey - 2010

I am doing a Stan Goldstein workshop this Saturday, June 4, in Manhattan.

I'd love to see more of you New Yorkers and New Jersey folks there. :)

Check it out:

http://super-special.eventbrite.com/