"Well my soul checked out missing as I sat listening

To the hours and minutes tickin' away
Yeah just sittin' around waitin' for my life to begin
While it was all just slippin' away
I'm tired of waitin' for tomorrow to come
Or that train to come roarin' 'round the bend" - Bruce Springsteen

Robert F started shooting around 2004 when he could no longer work. "Something to do to keep me busy. I was born with a lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and had a double lung transplant at the end of 2008 and came out of the hospital in early 2009" says Robert. Roberts happy to say he's shot with several models when they first started and ended up doing very well for themselves. Nicole Pissari ended up working with Maxim, Carlotta Champagne & worked with Playboy, Valerie Thompson (Oakley) worked with FHM and more recently Brittney Shumaker who has a world of potential Robert says. "I consider watching a model succeed to be very exciting and I do whatever I can to help. I'm big on using social media to help promote a model and I remember when Brittney & I started her fan page, I told her it could  really help her modeling career. Well 92,000 fans later it's been an enormous help for her career not just in visibility but by getting jobs. Who knows what's next."

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: Do you shoot with newbie models?

A: Of course, and I think it's important when a newbie model starts out to connect with people that can help out. Many are only in it for themselves so it can be like a sea of sharks out there waiting for a newbie to enter the water so proceed cautiously. 

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: What would you suggest to a newbie model starting out?

A: Do some basic research and proceed cautiously. Don't jump at every job. It's important to have some control over where your images are going. If a model is interested in submitting to a national publication it won't help much if she/he has images all over the internet. That may hurt the marketability of the model in the eyes of the publication-many publications, especially like Playboy, like to 'discover' the model so having thousands of images on the internet probably won't help.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: How do you shoot with so many attractive models and not get distracted?

A: You get use to it. Much like going to an office full of people you like. It's no big deal.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?

A: I use a Canon 60D. I used a 20D for ages until it finally died on me. I can't complain since it lasted 7 years which is an eternity for digital cameras. I'm not big into equipment I use what I can and try to make the best of it work. I really never think of asking another photographer what he uses as I really don't think it matters as much as the photographer taking the photo. Too many get hung on the value of a camera and equate that to quality. They figure if they spend alot on a camera then they should get paid work to justify the expense or the customer will assume that the photographer must be great since he spent so much money. Really idiotic to think that way but it's very common. Much like if I bought a guitar and just because I spent alot of money on it doesn't mean I know how to make music.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: How would a model get into a national publication?

A: It's actually not as complicated as some make it out to be. Many publications accept outside submissions so you don't even need a photographer to do that. The model can do it herself. I know a magazine like Playboy even prefers candid unedited photos so they can see how she really looks. Anyone can send those in.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

Q: What is you try to do when photographing a model?

A: I try to show how the model really looks, to some degree every photo will have editing. Any photo you see in a model magazine has editing. I don't believe in the 'natural' look as that's not gonna sell. But I believe in not over altering the images. For example, editing so the model looks 20 lbs lighter in the photo. Adding curves where no existed before, etc. I think one of the reasons alot of the models I shoot with have gotten alot of promotional jobs in the area is because when someone sees the photos then know that's who is gonna show up for work. No significant differences in appearances at all.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Photo Credit | Robert F

"We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chamber

Pushed to the limit, we dragged ourselves in

Watched from the wings as the scenes were replaying

We saw ourselves now as we never had seen

Portrayal of the trauma and degeneration 

The sorrows we suffered and never were free" - Joy Division.

Photo Credit | Robert F

Robert F | Social Media | Click Icon Below

Check out these other trending Kidd Leow blogs of these great Tampa Bay Photgraphers

Luis Santana	Rachel Jolly	Nathan Ray
CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!

Photo credits ~ Daniel Andres | Photo credit ~ 'Red bikini' TeenyB Swimwear

Kidd Leow Interviews Model Rachel Lynn!

Rachel Lynn & Brian McConnell "I Love You More"

Rachel Lynn | Social Media | Click Icons Below

modelRachelLynn.com

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ToniLynn is former professional Cheerleader and dancer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008) and the Tampa Bay Lightning. She danced with the Lightning from 2006-2008 in 2007 she was rated the “Hottest NHL cheerleader to ESPN” After her time on the field and ice ToniLynn has modeled/danced for an alumni cheerleading group called Bellissima from Cheer Girl Entertainment which she says, "Opened up a lot of opportunities for me." ToniLynn landed a spot on a HSN commercial modeling and dancing with a line of clothes that they were showcasing for Footloose. She was in a swim shoot for What’s Hot Tampa Bay that features swimwear and a local hotspot, Mini Cooper Commercial, Tampa Bay Rain Basketball team billboards and ads, XFC Cage Doll dancer, Surf Expo with Quicksilver where she had to walk the runway with the new line of surfing swimwear that they were releasing that season, music video for Country singer Brian McConnell and has been the spokes model for Sea Fear Apparel. ToniLynn now teachs dance in the evenings for girls of all ages.

Photo credit | Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Michael Soo

Q: What is something that would surprise people about you?

                A: I'm a bit of a nerd…. I like to go to comic book conventions, go to the midnight viewings of the movies and I wear super hero shirts all the time. My car is also named Optimus Prius with an Autobot sticker on the back.

Photo credit | Tampa Bay Lightning & Wet Orange Photography

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

                A: One the things that I hold dearest to me are my family. I try to spend as much time as I possibly can with them. We all have Disney passes so we spend a lot of time at the parks, especially Epcot. I find it the most relaxing to just walk around the world and enjoy the atmosphere with my family. 

Photo credit | Matt Robinson

Q: If you were a super hero what would your super power be?

                A: If I were a super hero I would like to be able to stop crime without killing anyone so I would like the power to trap or somehow tie up the bad guys so I could bring them to justice without killing them. I also would like to have a side kick like a dog….. Maybe a Doberman.

Photo credit | Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Michael Soo

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

                A: My guilty pleasure is actually on Saturday nights instead of going out I really enjoy sitting at home and having some wine watching English shows like “Are You Being Served”, “Keeping Up Appearances” and “As Time Goes By” on PBS. They are older shows, but I really enjoy English humor.

Photo credit | Tampa Bay Lightning & Wet Orange Photography

Q: What is your favorite tv show and why?

                A: I’m actually torn between 2 shows right now. Downton Abbey and Revenge. Downton Abbey takes place in the 20’s which is my favorite era and Revenge always has a twist in the story and you think you have it figured out, but you never really do so it always keeps me thinking.

ToniLynn Featured in Brian McConnell's video 'Redneck Margarita'

ToniLynn | Social Media | Click Icons Below

Kidd Leow Interviews Vassy CLICK HERE!

Kidd Leow Interviews Vassy CLICK HERE!

Kidd Leow Interviews Vassy CLICK HERE!

Check out Vassy on iTunes  CLICK HERE

You probably know Greek-Australian indie-pop dynamo Vassy’s soulful and exotic voice from TV campaigns such as Chevy,  Target, Victoria Secret, Sketchers and Hilton Hotels or shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and Human Target. That’s if it isn’t from catching her music in feature films such as The Cabin in the Woods or games like The Sims.  Her music has even been featured in webformercials by Dr. Pepper and Youtube!

If that wasn’t enough, the Australian singer/songwriter recently teamed up with Grammy-nominated Dave Audé for her new Billboard Chart release, “We Are Young”. The pop-tastic tune features big room floor filling remixes from Dave Audé, Sultan & Ned Shepard, Dirty Freqs, Ivan Gomez & Reidiculous.

Vassy, whose Greek-Australian background is as unique as voice, is deftly talented at penning strong lyrics that convey her own positive and uplifting attitude towards life; Positive and uplifting, they jolt the listener to a happier place.

Vassy was born in a remote area of Australia to Greek immigrants, fell in love with Billie Holiday at a young age, and moved to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a musician.

“She was my pure inspiration,” she says of Billie Holiday. “I heard this voice on a community radio station and it immediately caught my attention. She evoked emotion within me, something that resonated so strongly with me, and I became passionate about her and American culture through her music”.

Despite growing up in an immigrant family where traditional education was valued, Vassy knew that her future was in music. She fulfilled her promise to her late father by obtaining an honours degree in Interior Architecture, and then set off for America to pursue a musical career; Vassy credits Billie Holiday and the women in her family as being the driving force behind her success and her subsequent move to America:

“She’s the reason I’m here today,” Vassy says of Billie Holiday. “She was a strong woman with many vulnerabilities; I have been surrounded by strong women in my entire life. I have an incredible mum, and my grandmother, my mum’s mum, is our soldier; she was a young widow and raised two girls on her own in poverty back in Greece. Women have always been strong leaders in my family and I strive to teach other young ladies that too.”

Vassy’s family history is ever present in her career both inside the studio and within her community –  she takes time to give back by volunteering at a safe home for teenage girls in Los Angeles, teaching music. Vassy is a motivator and an inspirational force for these young women by using music to help build their self-esteem and belief in themselves.  She often uses her life as an example to illustrate that talent, positivity and determination will make a path to success.

Vassy | Social Media | Click Icons Below

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Brian McConnell	Taryn Walker	Jeriko Turnpike
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Comedy Chronicles of The 'Unbreakable' CHUCK GLASS

Chuck talks about being pulled over by the police because of his tail light out while the cop had his out also...

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

Chuck Tweets 

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

CLICK HERE to hear Chuck tell his hilarious story about being pulled over!

Check out these other KL blogs on Chuck Glass

Chuck talks about Taylor Swift & Rihanna

Chuck talks about Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez

Chuck Glass | Social Media | Click Icons Below

Kidd Leow teamed up with Adam Levine from Maroon 5, Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, the Far East Movement, The Cataracs, Luciana, Pittsburgh Slim & Ellie Goulding! 

Check out these mini mixes!

Adam Levine	Far East Movement	Ryan Tedder
CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!

The Cataracs	Ellie Goulding	Luciana
CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!

Pittsburgh Slim

CLICK HERE!

93.3FLZ's Kidd Leow Interviews Pittsburgh Slim!

93.3FLZ Exclusive

Mini hosted by Pittsburgh Slim & mixed by Kidd Leow!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

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Mini mix playlist | Click  to watch the video! 

Pittsburgh Slim talks

Thank GOD

Pittsburgh Slim talks

Lifestyles of the broke & fabolous

Skinny chicks have more fun 

Hide the liquor 

Pittsburgh Slim talks

Girls kiss girls 

My chick is crazy 

My flashy world

Pittsburgh Slim talks

Stuntman - ft. Wallpaper 

White Louie V's 

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CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Pittsburgh Slim & Kidd Leow mini mix!

Check out the full blog on Pittsburgh Slim with write-up, his music, pics, & video CLICK HERE

Pittsburgh Slim | Social Media | Click Icons Below

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Brian McConnell	Taryn Walker	Jeriko Turnpike
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Danielle Trax	One Mile Final
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Check out 1MF on iTunes   CLICK HERE

Kidd Leow Interviews One Mile Final!

For the full blog on One Mile Final with write-up, q&a, pics, & videos CLICK HERE

One Mile Final | Social Media | Click Icons Below

Photo Credits | Christian Bauer | David T. Baily | Bruce Amoroso BruceAmoroso.com 

Kidd Leow Interviews Model Danielle Trax!

For the full blog on Danielle Trax with write-up, q&a, & pics CLICK HERE

Danielle Trax | Social Media | Click Icons Below

"Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine" - Elvis Presley

"I believe musicians have a duty, a responsibility to reach out, to share our love or pain with others" - James Taylor

"Don't Play What's there, play what's not there." - Miles Davis

“Ken Apperson. Local musician. Skinny white boy. Within five minutes of watching his set, you can tell he’s not just playing music, but that he is music,” says Creative Loafing in a past music blog. After witnessing his smooth, jazz-infused vocals and effortless guitar picking, it is evident that Ken Apperson is a true artist.  Originally from St. Louis, Ken moved to Tampa to pursue his musical career full-time when he was just 21. 

Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller

Ken is no newcomer to the Tampa scene. He performs at notable venues, including Jannus Live, The Ritz Ybor, Brighthouse Field, and Skipper’s Smokehouse. He frequents festivals, including the Palmetto Music Festival and the Multicultural Festival at Curtis Hixon Park. He has shared the stage with many national acts, including platinum recording artist Sister Hazel, and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20.  He has also been featured in events such as “Rock for Research” and “Friends of Music”, held at the Capital Theatre in St. Petersburg. Recently, Ken gave his time and talent during the Susan G. Komen Walk, where he played and sang the entire 5k to show his support for the cause.  

Photo credit | Radko Keleman

Most local artists play covers, but Ken’s ability to transform R&B and hip hop hits such as “No Diggity” , “Take Care” by Drake and Rihanna, and Outkast’s “Rosa Parks” into unique acoustic variations (with the help of Groovemaster Reno on the drums), shows why this singer-songwriter is making a name for himself in the Tampa music scene. On that note, he was recently featured in the TBT’s “2013 Ultimate Local Music Guide”, and with his impressive guitar skills and storytelling ability, you can see why. 

Photo credit | Radko Keleman

Keep an eye out for the release of some new original tunes, and check out the visually stunning video for single “Bad Intentions” in the meantime. Ken is also in the midst of planning a tour in the fall. 

"Listening is the key to everything good in music" -Pat Metheny

"Only the gentle are ever really strong" - James Dean

Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller

Q: When is your favorite time to write and what usually inspires you?

A: I would have to say my favorite time to write is very late at night/early morning. For some reason, in the time where I am close to falling asleep; that’s when I have my best ideas. As for inspiration, that’s a funny thing. Inspiration can literally come from anywhere. The connections my brain makes are often pretty abstract. Some times I’ll get complete songs, totally finished, in a dream. Other times it takes me years and a great deal of frustration to finish a single song. Finishing them is the hardest part.

Photo credit | Timothy David

Q: What Artist would you love to play with?

A: If I was made to choose i think I would have to say Michael Hedges. He was considered the Hendrix of acoustic guitar and an epic composer as well as performer. I always want to play with people who can teach me a thing or two and i think my head would explode from all I would learn playing with a guy like that. Probably either Hedges or Dave Grohl, just because Grohl is an innovator and has the nick name “the nicest guy in the music business.”

Photo credit | Jaime Kile

Q: What do you think of the Tampa music scene?

  A: I can tell you first hand the type of music scene that exists in tampa. For starters, I’ve been all over the country, worked in every type of venue, from amphitheaters to little hole in the wall bars, and I can tell you tampa has the best kept secret i’ve ever scene in terms of musical talent. Sooooooo many guys play here, night after night, 3-4 hours at a time and do it so effortlessly as though its the easiest thing in the world. In terms of the quality of people in the music industry, recently I had the majority of my equipment stollen right out of my truck. I thought I was sunk, but one guy (Daniel B Marshall) Made one little post on facebook and suddenly every single person I’ve ever known to play music (and many that didn’t) in this town was texting and calling, leaving facebook messages, asking if there was anything they could do to help. People were offering me equipment, money; guys were even asking me if I wanted to cover there gig just so I would be working and making money. I can say it is a proven fact, when you play in this town you are part of a tight knit brotherhood. It makes me get a little misty just talking about it.

Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller

Q: What’s next for you this year?

A: This year is going to be a big one for me. I’m writing alot. We’ll see where that goes. Also, I’m planning a tour in the fall, designing merch and basically just working on my fundamentals.  I’m planning on doing a lot more events this year and getting my foot in the door at as many new places as I can. Ultimately, my goal is to live comfortably from the music i write and perform. I’m hoping this year is a big step in that direction.

Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller

Q: Do you remember the first time you realized you wanted to play music?

  A: Hah, yeah I do. I was very young, maybe five or six. I was playing with some toys in the living room. One of my parents came in the room and put on the “new” Eagles “Hell freezes over” live CD. I loved the eagles growing up. Track six on that album came on, an acoustic-y live version of “Hotel California” there is this spectacular acoustic intro thats all dramatic and drawn out.  The first time I heard that I new I wanted to learn to play guitar.  

Ken Apperson | Social Media | Click Icons Below

kenapperson.com

Kidd Leow teamed up with Adam Levine from Maroon 5, Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, the Far East Movement, The Cataracs,Luciana, & Ellie Goulding! 

Check out these mini mixes!

Adam Levine	Far East Movement	Ryan Tedder
CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!

The Cataracs	Ellie Goulding	Luciana
CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!	CLICK HERE!