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Ronny Olsson wrote:
Joshua and Werner.. just Wow !
Derek: Just love your forrests shot -- very nice and dreamy
Ronny, thank you! Now, your images are nothing short of spectacular!
Gunzorro wrote:
Joshua -- I've been wondering, and perhaps you know, how do these performers keep their costumes so impeccably clean? I thought of this the other day with your bright "Limoncello" photo. I see them posed touching walls, lampposts, props and each other, yet they look very clean on all edges. Any ideas?
Secondly, how do they get paid? Is it private short sessions, or multi-photogs at once? What do rates run, and is there some union or casual agreement on fees and locations?
It seems a fascinating performance culture! 
Hi Jim,
First off, they are all enthusiasts, just like the photographers. They are not getting paid like we are not getting paid. No money is being exchanged, just friendship at least with several of them. After doing this a few times, they know you and know your work. They pose for you and in return we send them the pictures. If they like your work they are more than willing to pose for you in a private session. They will do extra effort to have you take their pictures based on your past work. We also go out in street clothing for dinner together after the shooting is done. As matter of fact, that's the passion and friendship that I treasure a lot in addition to just taking pictures.
We communicate via email or on FB and since those folks wear costumes that change on a yearly basis, it would be hard to recognize them behind masks. So, they sent me a few images before hand for me to be able to recognize them. In other words, it is more than just simply taking pictures, there is more behind the scene or below the surface action that takes place.
Most of what's going on at San Marco Square is more an open event. At any given moment there could be 50 people in costume/mask and photographers crowd around them to take their pictures, just like paparazzi's. The better looking or more sophisticated costumes/masks will attract more photographers. I do pull some masks that I think are unique aside and direct them to do certain poses for you but there will be a throng of photographers that follow you around and take pictures with you at the same time. Here is a behind the scene image of what's going on at San Marco in the morning. We are talking about photographers with sophisticated gear/lighting to just simple phones here  .
Yes, we do private shoots, too. Then it is mostly our small group and the model. In the last 7 years or so, the 3 of us, Bobby, Luz and yours truly, went as a group. Manuel LaMantia lives in Parma, really close to Venice and I invited him last year to join us. Too bad, he couldn't do it this year.
Sophie Farfalla (her stage name ) and her husband, they are our dear friends, share the same hotel as we do and I know she does that. I am sure others do clean and take care of their costumes every day or even more often, as needed. BTW, believe it or not, some dedicated folks come with more than just a single costume. Sometimes, even 3 or 4 costumes. They spend almost 2 weeks in Venice and go out 3-4 times a day to have their pictures taken. Talking about hard core and dedication/passion. It is not cheap to stay that long there....
Hope this helps,
Joshua
Behind the scene at San Marco
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