Without a doubt, one of the hottest photographers on the model scene today (no pun intended). Justin Price calls the areas of South Florida, Baltimore, and Los Angeles his homebases. Sounds like good news for models across the country that are looking to book a shoot with this often traveling photographer. Why good news? We’ll let his images speak for themselves…

Some may think that being a top photographer is just snapping photos with an expensive camera, TRUE?

Being a photographer let alone a top photographer is so much more than just buying expensive equipment, it’s extensive knowledge and understanding of lighting, being able to direct the model in posing and expressions, along with being creative with the concepts, compositions and overall themes of the shoot.  There is so much more into being a photographer that has taken me 12 years to learn and I am still learning.

How did you get started in photography?

In college my girlfriend at the time wanted to model and I always liked taking photos, so I tried shooting her.  I took Photography 1 & 2 in school and that is where I absolutely fell in love with it.  I started shooting everything from my pets to landscapes and people.  My next girlfriend was a stripper, so since she worked at a club I had an endless supply of models (strippers) that wanted to get their photos taken which meant lots of practice for me.  Then I heard you could make good money shooting weddings, so I started shooting weddings as well.

What were the biggest obstacles you’ve had to overcome in the world of photography and dealing with models?

Actually the biggest obstacle I am currently overcoming is the whole idea of TFP/TFCD that lives in almost every models head now.  TFP/TFCD is basically a model asking me and every other photographer to shoot them for FREE, Time for Prints (TFP) or Time for CD (TFCD). I feel like this is for amateur photographers looking to build their portfolios, so when a model asks me to shoot them TFP, I really take it as an insult.  But that is the mentality nowadays, models will tell other models not to pay for photos and there are so many new amateur photographers out there that will shoot girls for free.  And the sad thing is girls would rather shoot with an amateur photographer for free, than pay a great photographer and get amazing photos.  Models don’t understand that modeling needs to be treated like a business. You have to spend money to make money.

Investing in great photos will make you stand out from the thousands of other girls trying to do the same thing as you.  It will get you noticed and exposure as well.  I submit and shoot for a lot of magazines and websites, so besides a model getting great photos with me, they can possibly get published and work from shooting with me, but not if they are not willing to set up a shoot with me because they don’t want to pay.  So I am trying to overcome and explain to models why they need to pay some photographers for a shoot.

That makes sense, so in your words, what makes a great or successful photographer?

It depends on how you define success.  Some photographers are successful if they make a living with photography, some are successful if they get a couple good shots at their shoots.  For me, it is both those things but so much more.  I want to be published and shoot for magazines.  I want to be recognized as one of the best photographers.  And most importantly I want to always keep improving my skills as a photographer.

What would say was your favorite project or client that you’ve worked with?

There are a lot but I would have to say working with supermodel Joanna Krupa, because we got the cover of French Maxim and that has been my biggest accomplishment to date.

Is being a photographer hard work? How crazy are the hours or can you control them for the most part?

It is hard work more so on the wedding end than the model side of things.  It’s a lot more involved with weddings because after I shoot the wedding, I have to edit 600-700 photos for the client and then meet with them again to go over their album selections and finally design the whole album.  Models are easy, I can shoot for 10 hours in a day and sit there and edit 10-15 photos and then I am on to the next model.

Describe the best and worst parts of your job?

Best part of my job is traveling and meeting new people and going to different places.  The worst part is shooting with girls that have a diva attitude.

How do you choose the models or clients you work with?

If they pay me I work with them.  I don’t discriminate.  I think it would be wrong of me to pick and choose my clients.  That would be like a store in the mall telling some people they can shop here and other people to go to another store.

Have you shot any high-profile clients or celebrities?

Joanna Krupa, Donna Feldman from Don’t Mess with the Zohan, and Leyla Milani from Deal or No Deal

How do you deal with a model who wants you to direct their every move?

I have never really had to deal with that fortunately.

Anyone that you would really like to do a photo shoot with?

Scarlett Johansson

Do you have any future goals as a photographer or do you feel you’ve reached your goal?

Anytime I reach a goal, I make new ones.  I would like to be a photographer for Maxim or Playboy

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?

Shoot as much as you can to practice your skill and technique and always try something new every shoot

Where can readers find your work?

A lot of different places, check out my website, www.justinprice.com and myspace page, www.myspace.com/justinpricephoto

Anyone you would like to thank for helping you get to where you’re at in photography?

My parents and Brad Zisow