• About me
• Shooting guidelines

• 

  **I will be near Frankfurt from June 29-July 5, and from July 16-23, 2018.**
  
  I also teach The Dynamic Nude photography workshop in areas like Lake Powell, Utah and western Colorado, so you can apply to model for my personal work, the workshops, or both.
  
  I work to capture the intangible qualities of Spirit--the very core of existence - using the medium of photography, through people and landscapes: reflections of Spirit, and to bring a lost element of humanity back to the forefront of modern society. This body of work is my search for and sharing of the unseen beauty and truth, which occurs in and all around us.
  
  My hope with the work is to uplift thought, and to offer a perspective that looks far deeper than one's skin. To hint at that which cannot be seen – Spirit - through a visual medium.
  
  Interested in Modeling?
  
  What I am looking for in someone to work with, is that you have an interest to collaborate creatively in the work, and ideally you can relate, in your own way, to something spiritual--something beyond the mere physical world that our five senses perceive. Above and beyond that, it is not important if you are young, old, black, white, inexperienced, professional, large, skinny, etc. My goal is to find beauty everywhere--not just in where modern society perpetually looks for it.
  
  I would need you to answer the following questions, which will help me tailor image ideas to you as an individual:
  
  1. Do you have any tattoos, tan lines, breast augmentations, etc?
  2. Do you prefer working in the studio or in nature?

  3. Are you comfortable with your figure/posing nude?
  4. What is your availability?
  5. Do you prefer direction or creative collaboration?
  6. What’s most important to you as a model?
  7. What interests you about my work? 

  8. What are you generally passionate about in life?
  9. What is your creative background? (paint/draw/compose music/write/etc.) 

  10. What are your strengths/unique qualities? 

  11. If you had all the people in the world listening to you, what would you tell them?
  
12. If you had as much time and money as you wanted, what would you do with it?
  13. If you wanted to share the most important truth you have learned in this lifetime, with someone that could only understand it through a photograph with you in it, what would that photograph look like, and what would you hope it would say to them?
  
14. Are you interested in collaboration simply as a means to make money, or would you prefer to receive images of the art we create?
  15. If we set up a shoot, can you 100% commit to be there? I won’t waste your time, and don’t want mine wasted either.
  
  Background
  I received a BA in Mass Communications with an emphasis on photography in 2001 from Principia College in Elsah, IL, and have worked for the past 20 years as a fine art photographer. Almost all of my work is done in large format film (4x5” negatives). I live near Aspen, CO, but am frequently in the following areas:
  
  *Westcoast* I am on the west coast every summer (late June to mid-July), usually in San Jose, and make trips to Portland, OR once a year.
  
  *Germany* I am in the Stockstadt area (40 minutes south of Frankfurt, near Darmstadt) every other year.
  
  *Colorado* I am near Denver about once a year.
  
  If you think I might be in or near your area, please feel free to contact me.
  
  People I have worked with: (contact information for verification purposes available by request)
  
  "Working with Joel was incredible. His vision and purpose of art are truly beautiful. I was nervous about being photographed nude. I felt imperfect and a bit vulnerable. Joel told me that he wants to take photos that show how nature emulates a woman's body and how a woman's body emulates nature. He photographs women of all colors and shapes to show how differences are beautiful, and also how all is one. He wants to show truth in his work. He was completely respectful, and I have now done three separate photo shoots with him. This has actually made me feel more beautiful in my own skin. I have stood naked on a mountain top as a woman (not an object), and worked with Joel to capture a moment of truth and beauty. That is powerful!"
  
  ~Ellenor Dwyer, Granville, OH
  
  "Joel Belmont is one of the most passionate photographers that I know. His work depicts a constant search for beauty in every form. He is very precise with all his posing, lighting and the outcome of the image during a shoot. I had a blast and I look forward to shooting with him again...real soon I hope. I have and will continue to recommend Joel's work to models and photographers alike. His work is an inspiration to many."
  
  ~Aloha Walter, St. Louis, MO
  
  "I was reluctant at first because I didn't know Joel and how it would be to work with him. Also, it was my first time at a 'real' photo shoot. But as soon as the camera was up and we were ready to take the pictures, everything was very simple, relaxed and easy going. And the photographs are absolutely amazing. I never thought I could look the way I do in those pictures. I love the way Joel thinks and puts his photographs together. There is always more than just the picture and the people in them. His pictures have meaning and tell stories."
  
  ~Gwen, Woerrstadt, Germany
  
  "I was fortunate to have Joel approach me to do some figure work while I was pregnant. Initially I was unsure about posing nude but after viewing some of his work I decided to trust his vision. During the shoot I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I was working with Joel. He was professional and focused from start to finish yet very relaxed with his approach. It was a truly liberating experience and I hope to work with Joel again in the future!"
  
  ~Karmen D., Carbondale, CO
  
  "Working with Joel Belmont was a wonderful experience. This was my first foray into modeling, and I found him to be completely professional, organized, and efficient with our time. The prints I received for my time were excellent--both in the quality of printing and the photography itself."
  
  ~Katie Lempert, Boston, MA
  
  "Working with Joel was the best experience in my career so far, as I'm fairly new to it. Not only was I completely comfortable due to his professionalism, but I was extremely impressed with his attitude as well. I think it's somewhat difficult to find a photographer in this area of modeling (figure work) who can keep consistent and constant professionalism. We worked together well; it seemed every time I moved he found a good pose in my natural stance. I highly recommend to anyone who can find the time and who is close enough to work with Mr. Belmont!"
  
  ~Laci, Grand Junction, CO
  
  "I have to be honest; when I first contemplated going to do work with Joel I was nervous about the nudity. I have never ever been naked in a room full of people except for the day that I gave birth to my son. I must have taken two steps forward and one step back at least a dozen times that day before making it to the photo shoot. Once I entered the room, I was instantly calmed by Joel's professional demeanor. He was so detached from the shoot in a way that I felt comfortable that he wasn't judging me, but still so involved that I could see his mind seeing my body as art. It is truly an experience to work with Joel.
  I was afraid I would leave such a photo shoot feeling vulnerable, like I had given a piece of myself up. Instead, I left feeling empowered and beautiful. Anyone that has the opportunity to experience a shoot with Joel should feel honored and very excited."
  
  ~Marie, Phoenix, AZ
  
  "Working with Joel was a creative adventure, a wonderful exploration in art. He is a fun, passionate, and meticulous creator. He is professional and hospitable and were I closer I would jump at the chance to work with him again."
  
  ~Nevaeh, Redlands, CA, http://www.modelmayhem.com/NevaehLleh
  
  
  ***
  
  
  "If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything." ~Ruth Bernard
  
  "I think photographs should be provocative and not tell you what you already know. It takes no great powers or magic to reproduce somebody's face in a photograph. The magic is in seeing people in new ways." ~Duane Michals
  
  "To photograph truthfully and effectively is to see beneath the surfaces and record the qualities of nature and humanity which live or are latent in all things." ~Ansel Adams
  
  "If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant pictures but they won't make you cry." ~Ruth Bernhard

• TfP

  Depending on model's experience, I do trade for the art we create, or pay ($150) without art from the shoot.

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  Send request

  Pay

  Pay (user is willing to pay)
  JoelBelmont offers paid shootings.

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  Send request

  Pay

Galleries 1