I shot with JC back in 2003 and 2004 as well, and there are a mixture of good shots as well as bad ones. It is the model's responsibility as well as the photographer's responsibility to showcase the model's physique and the photographer's work in the best way possible. Unfortunately, JC consistently chooses images--to advertise his site--that display a model in a very awkward, ungraceful manner and with poor lighting and little touch up.
I personally wish the quality of images dedicated to stage shots transferred over to the individual, model images, but for some reason, that isn't done. I actually think JC could simply choose a different stage shot each month and create just as much or even more success in his webzine and bypass all of this criticism. Of course, the constant chatter regarding the quality of these images only draws curious minds to his page, and this is most likely his ulterior motive.
Is there a difference in the attire between the photo of me you displayed, Luv2Hurt, and the one on JC's cover? No. But there is a huge difference in the stance and placement of legs, arms, and torso. And there is a humongous difference in lighting and the polished quality of the photos. The photo you chose of me was taken by a photographer outside of the fitness industry, one who is known for his lighting techniques and ability to capture shadows and to show the best features of his models in an artistic manner. By the way, for photography credit, that photographer's name is Bob Warren, and he is based out of Houston, Texas. That was one of about 12 images or so that I received from that shoot, for which I did get paid just as much as when I worked with JC when he was affiliated with HerBiceps. There were about 30 or more images taken, but only the ones that were really good and really had potential were kept and cleaned up for public viewing. The rest were discarded.
On the other point you might have been trying to make, Luv2Hurt, I made some decisions in 2004 to do images that I haven't chosen to do in the past year or so. While I do think I've done some very creative work in the past, I also wish I had looked ahead to the other goals in my life and made some different choices. It's easy to get wrapped up in this industry and forget that it won't carry you very far. This is a hobby industry, not a career-making one, unless you capitalize on a particular skill you have and utilize your titles to advertise that skill.
By the way, I never brought up anything regarding the contract. I'm not touching that subject at all except to say that a model should read every single word on any piece of paper she receives and is asked to sign and even ask an expert for a reading of the contract and a second opinion.
