SARA - WITH BENNETT'S TUMBLEWEED

I was showing a visitor around my studio - he had just purchased one of my Milagro photos.   He saw this photo on my wall -  "I have to have that one."  he said and pointed to a framed copy of - Sara - With Bennett's Tumbleweed"

I suggested I would print one right away if he could you wait.   "Print it."  he said.

I told him there was a story behind this print.   Some time ago my partner, Sue Bennett, decided she wanted to do a photo of a model with a tumbleweed so one day we went out into the desert north of Flagstaff and found the perfect tumble weed.  Sue kept it in her studio for years - never made her photo.  One time I asked her if I could borrow it - she didn't say no,  but more important she never said,  "Yes."   Sue was killed in an automobile accident over 5 years ago - the tumbleweed still  hung in her studio I borrowed it - took it to my studio and made this photo for Sue.  An homage.

And as a note - I attribute much of the success of this photo to my wonderful creative model Sara - 

BIG MOUNTAIN _ NAVAJOS

Jane Benally

     Big Mountain is not really very big.   But it is important.   Big  Mountain is 

on the Western side of the sprawling Navajo Reservation  - here in 

Northern Arizona.   I made these photos in 1978 while working on a series of 

photographs to bring attention to a group of traditional Navajo People who 

were being forced off their land.   We made a book - "Endangered Dine".

 Dine is the name the avajo call themselves - it means "The People".

Joe Benally

Daniel Ashkie

Biakeddy

Now after 30 years I have decided to re-introduce the Big Mountain - Navajo

 series and wanted to do something different with the presentation.   

I have been pondering and experimenting for over a month - and 

yesterday came up with this Idea - and after some more experimenting 

and some adjustment like it.  There will be more tan 20 photos

in the series - and i will exhibit them next month.

Ashkie Bitsie

AN INTRODUCTION

John Running has been photographing the female nude for all of his 40 years as a professional. The women he typically photographs are sensual and strong in demeanor and appearance. His photographs are collaboration with his models where there is room for each to express their creativity. His work reminds us that eroticism is yet another culturally laden value that depends on choices made by its consumers to be effective.

Running’s Album of Erotica is collaboration between photographer and model. It is a series of personal work done in the studio or on location with fun and sexy props and experimental sets. It is an exploration of the changing faces of the
model. Modify the props, set and light - transform the persona.

Work or play? The photographer and model are both exhausted and rejuvenated by the process of creating the images. Each session evolves into its own dynamic, the magic of creative interaction, sometimes sending out for more film!

More coffee! More wine! More Photos!!

There is delight in female form, no fear of womanhood, perfect freedom to play. In this magic studio there is no struggle to control; it has been replaced with trust.

... so that is how these photos are born, work and play. Now it is your turn.

Enjoy!

John Running