TUKAUSSEY
Photographer San Francisco and North Bay

TUKAUSSEYSTUDIO

TuKaussey

Tukaussey first took interest in photography at age 14, he studied art and architecture through high school and has been inspired buy artist like architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Van Der Rohe, classic and contemporary artist like, Van Gogh, and Gustav Klimt.  Bills love for photography has played an important role in his former career as a lighting consultant.  Photography is all about light, and he stresses this when he teaches photography.  Bill has traveled and lived all over the US, and sees the beauty in the moment, rather than the beauty of his surroundings, he attributes this to his spiritual concepts in photography.   Many of his pieces are straight from the camera with fine minor developing in Adobe Lightroom, and a few pieces he will add an artistic touch with Adobe Photoshop, both of these used as photographers tools to develop digital photography. 

An Interview with Paragon

Paragon Men Interview with William TuKaussey

Name and location of your studio: Do you shoot only in the studio or do you also travel for shoots?
TuKaussey Photographer, Studio Name is TuKausseyStudio and is located in Santa Rosa, CA.  I shoot about 75% in the studio and 25% outdoors.  When I travel for shoots the location can be anywhere from hotel rooms to national parks.  I like to shoot wherever the model feels most comfortable. 

What sorts of images do you create?  Do you have a favorite category?
I am a Photographer of all types of genre’s, from landscapes, macro, interiors, architectural, and product photography.  My favorite is specializing in artistic male nudes and portrait photography.  Capturing caricature, spirit, and sensuality is the primary focus of my work.

What are your thoughts on shooting in studio vs. shooting outside a studio setting?
When creating artistic nudes, I prefer working in a studio, where I have complete control of my lighting.  When working outdoors, I love to capture the spirit of man with the spirit of nature, evoking peace and beauty in combined harmony.  Living in Las Vegas, presents an opportunity to work with people from all over the country, and I have become quite familiar with many hotel rooms, and have adapted to removing the hotel room look, which I despise.

How did your career start and develop?  How/where were you trained? How long have you been a photographer?  
As an artist, I started in photography as a freshman in high school where my passion continued through out my career as a lighting/interior Designer.  Photography was a natural for me, as I had a keen eye for lighting, which I consider the most important element in photography.  I have had no formal training, and believe that my persistence in developing my own style as been the biggest tool in the process of developing my expertise.  By taking 750-1000 photos a week, you will eventually get it.  I do not consider myself a professional, although I fit the position, I would rather think of myself as an artist.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
I addition to the title, Photographer, I am also an instructor in digital photography.  I teach classes at a popular Camera store in Las Vegas, and give private lessons.  My first word of advice is to use the camera everyday, shoot what intrigues you the most, regardless of the opinions of others.  Keep in mind that a photographer is an artist, and it’s necessary to develop your unique style, put your love into it, and live it.  If working with people in photography, learn both sides of the camera.  Most of all do not let critics prevent you from pursuing your work.  In the art of male nudity, there will be critics all over, but keep in mind the critics are nothing more than admires of your work.  Put your best work forward, and you will shine.  If you decide to concentrate on male images, do a variety of male images, clothed, nude, semi-nudes, and erotic nudes.  Focus in on the eyes, the window to the soul, everything else is a fringe benefit.

Where has your work been published?  Where can our readers find more of your work?
I have had work published in local magazines for products, and services.  My work can be seen sporadically in Las Vegas Art Galleries, and maintain 2 websites that showcase my images, both Artistic Male Nudes, and Commercial.

What drew you to photographing artistic nude images of men?
Shortly after retiring from the lighting design profession, I was offered the chance to be photographed by an admired photographer in San Diego, YogaBear, where I had my first experience being photographed nude.  The experience was exhilarating, and gave me a new outlook on myself, as an individual, where I learned self-confidence had all the power in the world to make me feel great about myself.  After that I gave up the film camera, bought my first digital SLR, and desired to share the same experience with others.  Besides the love for the male body, the work turned into a passion that others can now see in my work.

What are your thoughts on color vs. B&W physique photography?
I love color photography, and it’s hard to get away from the passionate color in eyes and skin tones.   I believe that B&W is a great tool to intensify the details and shadows, because it removes the more subtle effects of color contrast.  Because of the many tools used in post processing, B&W has become a lot more prevalent in my work than it was 2-3 years ago.  I feel breaking the mold, and exploring alternatives will always keep me on the cutting edge, and unique.  I anticipate a lot more B&W, and B&W with subtle tones of color in the future.

How do you use lighting in your work?
My favorite word is Lighting, “Lighting is photography”.  When I shoot, I look for lighting rather than subjects.  This is the drama in photography.  I use lighting in ways most photographers think puzzling, but find incredible.  I create drama with lighting in the studio, and always shoot outdoors with flash and reflectors. 

Do you use any image enhancement or retouching software?
I use all the tools necessary to perfect my image.  I was once a believer that if you enhanced your work, you were not a real photographer.  My thought is, I am a better photographer, not only because I capture great photos, but also because I can digitally develop my work and turn them into incredible photos. 

Which photographers or artists have most inspired you?  Whose work has most impressed you recently?  Which new photographers are you watching?
Photographer David of YogaBear has been my mentor, David was the first photographer to photograph me, and his work amazed me, and continues to do so.  Since then we have collaborated on projects together, and he has been a supporter of my achievements in my work.  I have been somewhat inspired by the work of, Robert Mapplethorpe, and the latest works of Glen Mitchell in Miami, for is B&W Images. 

What sort of work and/or services do you do and/or provide?
I provide a service to make others feel good about them self.  Portrait work, commercial photography, and Artistic images sold in a gallery’s.   Photography is not about money, my philosophy in services, is to provide for the needs of others, for it will be returned to you, if it already hasn’t.  I calculate my worth on the love that is returned, and the friendships I develop. 

What do you look for in a model?    Have any particular models been muses for your work?
I look for Caricature, and the unspoken word of love and sensuality through the eyes.  I look for creativity in grooming like facial hair, style of hair, and a playful smile.  I look for maturity, which is void of props and fetishes.  Most of all I look for men who would never consider themselves a model, which has become a trademark of my work.  I have a few models in Vegas that love to work with me, and we collaborate from time to time to allow experimentation in my work.

Which male body type do you prefer: bodybuilder, fitness model, slender beauty, all of the above, or other?  Please discuss creating artistic images with different types of physiques. 
I prefer “average Joe”.  Many times I take in a model and have no idea what he looks like until he appears at the studio, then all the sudden I am faced with a challenge.  I once photographed a 40 year old who was so slender, that I didn’t know what to do, other than just start taking photos.  I always have to remember to try and feel what he is feeling at the moment, and when we finally make that unspoken connection during the process, the images become so intense that the emotional factor sets in, along with tears of joy and beauty.  I photographed this one guy who was well overweight, but his spirit overtook, and these images of intense beauty became so powerful that today I still receive emails of thanks.  He used these images on his dating sites, and within 4 weeks he found a partner, one of his emails to me said, “this wouldn’t have happened without the work I did for him”.  This is why I am not picky about the guys I work with.  It is so important in my work to ignore the stereotypes, and concentrate on what’s inside. 

Shaved or hairy?  What’s your ideal?
I prefer natural.  Many times in preparation for a shoot, I am asked, Should I shave or come natural?  I answer, leave it alone.  A man has hair, somewhere, and it represents maturity, in my opinion, which leads to wisdom and caricature.  I like facial hair because it is an individual artistic expression of the model, and is unique with all individuals. 

Do you consider any of your models your muses?
I love all the models I work with, and have produced images from all of them, that I continue to use as reference, and inspiration.  I have a few local models that love to be photographed, and I love working with them.  If I need to work on a new concept, they are only a phone call away.

IMAGES FEATURE FOR PARAGON MEN PAGE

©William TuKaussey

By clicking on the image above you will be directed to a password protected page where you will view images of me as photographed by other photographers or some of my self portraits.  You may obtain this password by contacting me.