markvelasquez

A visit from Jesslyn

Jesslyn rarely keeps her clothes on when she visits my place, and usually brings a bottle of wine, whiskey, or a six pack with her.

One afternoon last year Jess needed to vent about life, so we chat over

drinks and photos, argued over what food we wanted to share, and had our<...

Yoga in the morning.

My buddy Forest Alexandra is a daily inspiration to me to be kinder, more positive, and live life in a happier way. She works daily expanding her knowledge of yoga and is always challenging herself to be one more than she already is. Here she is in her backyard, stretching in the warm sun after a ...

Another Dune Morning

She had never pose for photos other than her senior portraits. Somewhat shy and nervous, within moments of meeting me she was laughing and naked and frolicking in the sand. Afterwards she thanked me for allowing her to feel safe and free. Those are the kinds of comments that make what I do rewardi...

She fell out of the rain.

Dreaming of Summer

Kalani in the Tub

Kalani is very petite, so thankfully she was the perfect fit for my small tub.The glow sticks weren't very bright, despite having a dozen of them in the water. We tried repeatedly to add more and more, but at a certain level, no matter how many glow sticks we added the amount of light they gave off ...

Kalani Marie

Kalani is a beautiful, complicated amateur model I've worked with since she was 18. Tough, strong-willed, self-doubting yet kind-hearted, she's now 30, newly married, and with a beautiful four year old daughter. She seems happier today than I've ever known her troubled mind to be, which is wonderful...

McKenzie Eckels

She's the kind of natural beauty that comes along once out of a million. McKenzie has great skin, a few poorly placed tattoos, and a face that could rival Helen of Troy. Along with those assets, she is smart, talented, and pursuing an art degree while also acting in plays and commercials in Los Ange...

A Real Sci-Fi Nerd

Last night my friend and model Laura gave her husband a small book of sexy photos we had taken for him. This was our text exchange this morning:

LAURA: "It was a success!"

ME: "Good, I hadn't heard from you..."

LAURA: "He was so surprised!"...

Michaela under the Cliffs

Michaela is just wonderful. Goofy and sincere, she works long hours to support herself yet makes time to collaborate with me on whatever photo ideas I send her. This was the first time I attempted to use a road flare as a lighting element, and I must say it was very successful.

I've always bee...

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 10

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 9

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 8

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 6

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 5

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 4

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 3

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 7

Brooke in Ojai, CA: Pt. 2

Brooke Eva in Ojai, Ca.

Brooke is one of my favorite people, let alone one of my all-time favorite models. She's a talented photographer, dedicated dog parent and rescuer, and and overall sweetheart. Brooke is fun, stunningly pretty, and willing to do anything to make a good photograph. This day she endured waking up early...

Nicole

PW: mvpatreon101

Over the last several years I've tried to slow down a bit during my shoots and record a little video here and there. This is one of my first attempts from several years ago with my buddy Nicole, a talented local hip hop dancer.

We shot up on the roof of the local mall...

BTS: Jesslyn Sings

During the cover shoot for NSFW Magazine Issue 6, my buddy Jesslyn decided to treat me to an impromptu singing demo. She is a talented designer, performer, dancer, and more, so I'm pleased to have this subtle example of the things she's capable of.

Would you like to see more of her sing...

BTS: With Rivi Madison

My talented friend Ian Flanigan has joined me on a couple of my shoots and has been kind enough to edit the short video clips he's taken of the behind-the-scenes action. Here is one of the beautiful Rivi from two years ago in Los Angeles.

Raven at Shell Beach

I had worked with Raven twice before, making her a cover/feature model for an issue of my publication, NSFW Magazine, as well as the poster girl for a series of Dia de los Muertos images for a gallery show I had in 2010. Those previous times she had a bright, vibrant pink mane of hair and wasn't nea...

Roarie

I met Roarie for the first time three years ago as she was traveling down the coast of California. I had followed her modeling work for a while and loved how she could easily blend beauty and androgyny from one image to the next. In person, her wild, kinetic attitude was such a difference from her o...

Porcelain in the Sea Cave

I had been a fan of Porcelain'f for years and was so pleased to discover that she was as sweet and down-to-earth as she was beautiful. She had a silly sense of humor and seemed to make every moment enjoyable, no matter how cold or uncomfortable she was. 

I look forward to working with her aga...

"What do you wanna do now?"

Brooke and I caught up over Cuban food south of DTLA, then headed back to her place where roommate and fellow model, Jordan Bunniie, was hanging out in her pajamas answering emails. With nothing else to do, Brooke and I sorted through her wardrobe and took a few photos in her other roommate's bedroo...

Memories in the Rain.

I hadn't seen her in a long while and was uncertain what she had wanted when she showed up at my door on that cold and rainy afternoon. She came in and we sat and talked for a while, discussing everything but the important things. She apologized for how she had acted the last time we spoke, and with...

Jesslyn's Drunk Sex Advice!

My buddy Jesslyn is quite the character, sober or not. One day after a shoot at the beach, and more than half a bottle of Jack Daniels, Jesslyn responded to a few questions on a wide variety of sexual topics. Here is the first installment. 

Would you like to see more?

Less is More

I used to try to over-complicate and control my shoots, carrying a bunch of lighting equipment over long distances, to try an manipulate every aspect of lighting. Over the years I've learned to relax, enjoy the uncertainty of natural light and the adaptation it requires, and accept that even the min...