Like you probably are, I'm an artist (specifically, I'm an illustrator) and once upon a time I found it extremely frustrating and difficult to find good quality reference photos to draw or paint from that weren't crazy expensive.
Then one wonderful day, a friend told me about DA and it was love at first sight. I was impressed with all of the fantastic stock that's available on DA, most of it posted by other artists and for other artists. The expansive generosity of doing that appealed to me and as an amateur photographer who's been taking my own photo references for years now, I thought starting an account to share all of my images would be a great way to "Pay It Forward."
So that's what I've done here.
These pictures are all pictures I've taken for my own illustrations. I don't claim to be a professional caliber photographer, but I have attempted to get good quality pictures of a rather wide variety of subjects and settings. Hopefully you'll find them useful!
My primary model is my husband, Soren. I don't have a wide variety of models (yet! I'm always looking though!) but if there's a situation you'd like for us to stage, please feel free to ask. We may not be able to work it out, but wherever possible we'd be happy to help other artists out. I recognize that not everyone has a willing, live model hanging out in their studios like I do.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. This area has a wealth of potential photo stock opportunities, so again, if there's something in this area that you can't find stock of - ask me! I may be able to get pictures for you.
Please do not use these works for any pieces which involve cruelty to animals or children. Likewise I would like to state explicitly that I will not tolerate, nor do I grant permission for my photography to be used in works that are homophobic, racist, bigoted, intolerant or generally hateful. I hate that I have to say that, but as it turns out, not everybody is as nice as I'd like for them to be so I'm forced to state outright that this is not something with which we will up with put.
You are free to use any work you've created with my stock for commercial purposes (after all it's your art, and isn't that kind of the point?) but I'd like to know if it's in magazines, or anything printed and covers of any sort and let me know where I can buy a copy! I'd also LOVE to see any work you create using my reference shots - mostly because I'm insatiably curious and love looking at other artists' work. So please do give me a shout and show off your wonderful creations!
You are free to display the works outside DA, all I ever ask is to be credited where possible.
Credit is not necessary on 'selling sites' like Ebay, Etsy, CafePress and that sort of thing, but again, it'd be great to know that the work is out there so I can help you promote it!
Please let other artists know that these pics are out here for them to use. Don't be stingy and hoard! *laugh*
If you want to include these photos in a collection of FREE stock somewhere other than here, just let me know and credit me, please. All I ask is that you not abscond with these photos and pretend like they're photos you took yourself.
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the photos!
Robriel
Current Residence: California
deviantWEAR sizing preference: XXL
Print preference: matte
Favourite genre of music: pretty much all of them
Favourite photographer: David LaChapelle
Favourite style of art: magical realism, surrealism, figurative
Operating System: OSX
MP3 player of choice: iPod
Wallpaper of choice: Damask, at the moment
Favourite cartoon character: Define "cartoon" for me?