A pro? Sure, I have been, but I'm tired of it. Now is the time to play with a camera. These days I'm too old to spend all the time and energy it takes to be a professional photographer. I got into photography in the first place because I love making the images - and that's why I'm in it now.
If you just want to get together and shoot, maybe we should talk. I generally don't pay models except in special circumstances, and I don't accept payment for shoots I do. It's not about the money, it's about the pictures.
I'm looking for models and team members who love images for their own sake, not in shooting pictures that are intended for a commercial model's portfolio. Yes, I know how to do that, and no, it doesn't interest me much. It's necessary, but boring. I'd much rather spend my time on interesting pictures, even though they may not be good for a "portfolio". (Exceptions will always be made for excellent makeup artists - I understand you need something that helps you.)

Degree in photography, decades as a photographer, quite a few years as a working professional. I stopped counting after the first 100 tearsheets.
I also spent over five years as the owner and manager of one of the oldest commercial model agencies in New York city. Author of the book: The Professional's Guide to Modeling which is now available in both English and Russian.

I am now writing on modeling for the Examiner (www.examiner.com). If anyone knows of events, opportunities, locations or anything else that might be of interest to readers, please let me know about it.

Although I am not a member of Model Mayhem, I have been selected to be on The List Top Drawer, one of less than 50 photographers worldwide so honored.