Featured Photographer

Rex Lott

How long have you been a photographer and what kinds of photography do you like best?
I've been shooting since I was 15 years old and I love Fashion, beauty and headshots.

When did you know you wanted to be a photographer and why?
I started to know when I was growing up. My mother was a district manager for Avon, I LOVED makeup and she had a room full of makeup. I would always get in trouble because I would use her makeup to paint up my little sisters after school. I even painted my dog, since he was white. Really, I got into photography because I wanted to record my makeup. Once I picked up the camera, around 15 years old, it was because I was growing up in blue-collar Ohio and I knew if I was a photographer, then it would be ok for me to do makeup. That's when I fell in love with photography.

What's your background?
I graduated with a degree in photography from Ohio State in 1994. Right after, in 1995 I moved to Miami to become a professional photographer. For the next two years I gained experience shooting for a lot of agencies, clients, boutiques, and magazines.

What local magazine covers did you do in Miami?
I had covers for Exotic and Unique.

Which agencies have you shot for?
Irene Marie, Elite, Michelle Pommier, Karin, Next, those were the main ones.

Wow, why did you decide to leave Miami?
I was in Miami for two years working, but the fashion market started to dwindle so when I got the job with Click I decided to move to New York, that was in '97.

So you went to work for Click! How did you become an agent and how long did you stay?
I was really in the right place at the right time! Two of my model friends in Miami got signed at Click in New York and moved there. They needed a new style of pictures so they asked me to go shoot their pictures in New York. They flew me out there and I did it for them for free. When I went into Click to turn in the film I met the owner, Frances Grill, and the rest is history. I was hired and I moved up to New York 10 days later!

That's amazing! What were you hired to do?
I was hired as an assistant to the bookers and as a chaperone for the model apartment. I became the Director of New Faces a year after I was there and I stayed there until 6 months ago.

Why did you leave?
I'm still really close with Frances, but I wanted to go back to my passion and be a full time shooter again.

What made you want to be the photographer for OST NYC?
I knew of OST when I was working at Click. As the New Faces Director, I was always sent new models to look at from OST/Katie Ludwig. I knew I liked the OST models, I liked working with Katie [OST VP of Agency Services], and when I decided to leave Click, calling OST was the first phone call I made!

What a complement to us! What do you like about working with One Source Talent?
I really love working with One Source Talent. I like the quality of models that One Source Talent has. I also love the enthusiasm of the talent coordinators and the staff.

How long have you been with OST?
For 6 months, as the exclusive photographer for OST NYC.

What do you like about the OST models?
They are always excited, open minded, enthusiastic, and they understand we are all there to have a good time while we're working. I love the kids! I have never before really liked working with kids. I know that sounds bad, but I just never did. But I have enjoyed shooting the One Source Talent kids. I have been inspired so much that I am going to get more into that genre of the business altogether. It's something I have overlooked in the past.

Have you seen any OST models with that "superstar" quality?
There have been many, but one that sticks in my head right now is an 8 year old named Yosef [Talent ID: 11264]. He's a star because he lit up the room when he walked in! He's very uninhibited and he just inherently knows how to project! I am sure he'll be a star!

Do you travel with your job?
Yes, I just went to Houston to shoot for Page Parks' models, and in a few weeks I will be going back to Miami for a new client. I love to travel for jobs.

Where is your favorite place to shoot?
I love shooting with the light of Miami. I love shooting on location in Miami but I also love the moodiness of New York. I'd also LOVE to see what it's like to shoot in San Diego.

What is your favorite part of the business?
My favorite part of the business is I really love finding and developing new talent. I love to watch life imitate art, because in my experience I have seen models who start as just average pedestrians and turn into so much more. I love to watch the process start by them seeing what the photographers and makeup artists create, and watch the model become that. The models actually start to become the art and become more beautiful people.

That's beautiful! Do you think that continues for the model even after the shoot?
Oh yes, it transcends even after they are done with the shoot. After they start to look at the photographs of themselves and they start to emanate it and it becomes them. They finally start to see themselves as others see them.

What advice can you give new models?
The best advice I can give is to be professional and BE ENERGETIC! The photographer feeds off the models energy - it's a give and take - you can't wait for the photographer to make you excited. If you're nervous just savor the moment - enjoy the moment - step outside of yourself. Being a model is acting, you're projecting one part of yourself. Allow yourself to become a character that you want to be, experiment, be open. Don't be afraid of the photographer - the more you give the more you're gonna get.

What kind of photos should new models have to start their book?
To start, you need a beautiful head shot, a head shot that looks like you, that's clear and beautiful and shows a piece of your personality. You need a full length fashion shot, something that shows the line of your body. With that it's always best to have energy, to be in motion somewhat and in full length because it makes a still photograph look dynamic. It never hurts to have an athletic or sporty shot, the important thing is to show versatility and the different characters that you can become!

What advice can you give to parents?
For parents in general, a parent should meet with everybody involved - the agent, talent coordinator, etc, so that they feel comfortable. Meet them and know them so they know that their child is in good hands. Once they are comfortable with that, parents need to take a step back and let their child have the chance to shine and be who they are. Know they are safe and then take a step back.

As an agent, how important was it to you that your models have pro photos?
If you are a model, your agent needs a tool to represent you with. The industry expects a certain quality, and that quality is only known by professionals within the industry. An agent can't send out snapshots to Calvin Klein. The clients expect a level of professionalism from the agents. Therefore, the agents expect professional pictures of the models.

Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Bigger and Better! I am poised where I want to be. I'm in NY, shooting great fashion, from here it's only upward and outward!

To schedule a photo shoot with Rex Lott contact client.talentservices@onesourcetalent.com