Legs - 10 Questions with Dave Naz
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I met Dave Naz back in 2001 while in Los Angeles to help promote a couple of friends, and to attend the L.A. Fetish Ball. Dave was creating a name for himself with his stark photography and occasionally irreverent look at traditional institutions. Over the years, we've watched his style evolve and his career blossom. You can now see Dave's work everywhere, though we recommend that you check out his new book "Legs", and his websites davenaz.com and lustcircus.com.
RetroKitten: OK, we'll start off with the obligatory question. How did you get started in fetish photography?
Dave Naz: I had a few friends in the Fetish community I photographed. Then I photographed their friends, etc, etc. Three years of that work can be seen in my first book, "Lust Circus". I don't consider myself a Fetish Photographer, though. That's just a small portion of the work I've done.
RetroKitten: You've been in the industry for years now, but lately, I've been seeing more and more of your work. To what do you owe this "Explosion O' Naz" ?
Dave Naz: I am very prolific. I shoot for a number of magazines and my website: http://www.lustcircus.com. It's taken me a while to be able to pay my bills by doing photography. It's a lot of work, but it's what I love to do and I feel lucky to be where I am.
RetroKitten: Being on the L.A. scene, you get to meet a lot of the movers and shakers in the various overlapping industries. What would you say has helped you most while "pressing the flesh".
Dave Naz: I have a good relationship with the Editors I work with. I'm also friends with other Photographers that are doing the same thing I am. I think you can go further by working together, rather than competing against one another. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the help of others.
RetroKitten: What is your primary camera and why?
Dave Naz: The camera I use the most is a Nikon F-100. It's lightweight and easy to use when I need to shoot 10 rolls and two set ups in 7 hours. When I have more time or I am just shooting for myself, I use a Mamiya RZ67, Mamiya 645, or a Hasselblad. For my website I use the Nikon D-100. OK, too much information, huh?
RetroKitten: I know you constantly have a dozen irons in the fire. What is the project you are most involved with right now?
Dave Naz: My new book "LEGS" just came out on Goliath and I'm very happy with it. I also have a smoking series I'm working on. I've been taking photos of the models taking smoking breaks in their street clothes. I've been shooting it very raw. I like the way they look, because unlike the other series I've done: the Fetish work in Lust Circus, Panties, or Legs, I find nothing arousing about smoking. In fact, I can't stand it. For me this was a good way to deal with it. Most of the girls I work with smoke and want to take breaks, so instead of getting frustrated, I just take photos of them while they're doing it.
RetroKitten: You know another of our recent featured interviewees, Steve Diet Goedde. I know photographers hate this question, but how has knowing Steve influenced your work?
Dave Naz:Steve is a good friend and an amazing photographer. Our styles are completely different, but I feel like Steve inspires me more than anything. I mean just look at his work and how could you not be inspired? He's got one of the best eyes out there. We've shoot together a couple times and it was interesting. One was a shoot with Kumi for Leg Show.
RetroKitten: What do you hate most about this job?
Dave Naz: I hate flakey models. When I have a location and a make up artist and I get a call one hour before we're supposed to shot and the model cancels. I had a model say she couldn't shoot because she had to fly home because her Mother was having a baby. Nine months to plan for this thing and she cancels one hour before the shoot. Thankfully, it doesn't happen too often!
RetroKitten: "In-N-Out Burger" or "Go Burger"?
Dave Naz: I've never heard of "Go Burger", but I can't see it being better than "In-N-Out". Great Burgers!
RetroKitten: Would you say that you are involved in the alternative scene, or do you consider yourself more of an an observer?
Dave Naz: I'd consider myself involved. I'd have a hard time shooting something if it didn't spark something in me.
RetroKitten: Lastly, any advice for people who think they might want to persue a career path similar to yours?
Dave Naz: Making a living at it isn't easy, but nothing worth while is.
Again, special thanks to Dave for taking time out of his busy promotional schedule to sit down with us and chat. We strongly recommend that you check out his websites davenaz.com and lustcircus.com.
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