SayntMykl.com is the photography site of Michael John Simpson, aka SayntMykl of Los Angeles, CA. The purpose and intent of this site is to provide a forum for the various genres of my photography.

I've had an interest in photography since I was very young, influenced by my father, an avid amateur photographer. I started off using my grandmother's old Brownie and later, a kodak 110 to photograph family trips.

My dad bought me my first and only 35mm SLR camera for Christmas when I was 16, one of the RICOH SLR series with a Pentax lens mount. The next summer, he signed me up for a one-day photography class at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Apart from that, I've never had any formal training in photographic technique; everything else has been self-taught through taking thousands of photos.

My senior year, with my new camera in tow, I became a photographer for my high school newspaper. My journalistic career was cut short when my camera was stolen at an amusement park during spring break.

I went for about 12 years without a decent camera. In 2000, I bought a FujiFilm MX-1200 and launched into digital photography. It became glued to my hip and I started shooting anything I could get in front of me: friends, family, pets, flowers, landscapes, wildlife, cars; literally ANYTHING!

After a couple of years of hauling the Fuji everywhere I went, it started to fall apart, so in 2003, I bought a Nikon Coolpix 2100 and have been hooked on Nikons ever since!

Around that time, I knew someone who had just begun doing fetish/goth photography and I decided to try my hand at it. I searched around on MySpace for models and quickly had a couple of shoots under my belt, shooting in apartment bedrooms with ambient light. It was enough to inspire me to buy some fabric and lights with which to fashion a make-shift "studio" in my garage. I still use it to this day.

I narrowed my focus to mainly fetish, goth and pin-up photos. Very recently, I revamped this entire site to include all aspects of my photography. This year, I've branched out into weddings and other events.

Since 2003, I've shot over 50,000 photos and I plan to never quit.

How do you say your name?
It's pronounced like Saint Michael. It was a nickname given to me by a friend about ten years ago. I decided to build my first website at that time, but many other permutations of "saintmichael.com" were already taken. I worked with a guy whose name was spelled "Mykl", so I borrowed that and by changing the i to y in Saint, SayntMykl.com was born.

How long have you been doing photography?
Since I was very young, as stated in my bio. I've been shooting professionally since 2003.

What cameras do you use?
All of the photos on this site have been taken with a Nikon D40x, or a Nikon Coolpix S600 (my newest!), 8400, L3, 2100. A few shots were taken with my LG enV (VX-9900) mobile 2.0 megapixel cameraphone.

Where do you find your models?
As I stated in my bio, I met the first few models I shot on MySpace. Since then, I've met them through other internet sites, like Friendster, ModelMayhem and FaceBook, and continue to network in the alt.photography community at goth/fetish club art show events.

Do you pay your models?
I have an agreement with my models whereby in exchange for modelling, they are allowed—with my permission—to use any photos I take for their own purposes: building their portfolio, posting on internet community websites, etc. Sometimes I will even make high-res prints for them, too. This known as "trade-for-print/CD" or TFP/CD.

I like your photos; may I use them on my website/album cover/poster/business media/etc?
I prefer that only the respective subjects of my photos are allowed to use my work in any way. I may consider making photos available for commercial purposes, provided that usage serves to maintain the artistic integrity of my work and to show respect to the models. If you feel your ideas meet these criteria, please feel free to contact me to discuss an arrangement.

From whom/where do you derive inspiration, or get your ideas?

• Steve Diet Goedde - My main influence is a erotic/fetish photographer named Steve Diet Goedde, of whom I've been a fan for many years. Please see the links section.
  
• My father - I have many memories of a camera in his hand, and was always happy to sit and pour through photos and slides he'd taken over the years. He was always trying to instruct me on how to take better photos.
  
• Hunter S. Caulfield - Her self-portraits are incredible. Please see the links section.
  
• Nature - I have always been fascinated by nature; as you can see, the majority of my photos are of nature.
  
• Media - I enjoy film, television, music and other media. I am heavily inspired by the visions of artistic film directors such as David Lynch and Tim Burton, muscic artists like The Cure, Robyn Hitchcock, Trent Reznor, and of course, David Bowie.
  
• Etc. - I also take inspiration form other photographers and artists, and from the models themselves. Several of the most outstanding shots on my site were based on the model's idea.
  

Will you take pictures of me?
Heck, yes! Quite probably. Please send me an email with attached photos no larger than 8"x6" @ 72dpi, or send a link to photographs of yourself online. Please note: I do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or body type. You just have to be able to inspire me.

All written and photographic material on this site is the intellectual property of SAYNTMYKL.COM, and may not be copied or reproduced in any form, printed or electronic, without express written permission of SAYNTMYKL.COM. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in accordance with international copyright laws.

SAYNTMYKL.COM represents and warrants that with respect to any visual depictions of nudity or sexual conduct, where the Content is produced by and posted on the Site by SAYNTMYKL.COM, that all persons who appear therein were 18 (eighteen) years of age or older at the time of the creation of such depictions.

Furthermore, true, correct and complete records required by US Code, title 18, Section 2257 have been obtained and will be maintained by SAYNTMYKL.COM. The custodian can be reached electronically at mykl@sayntmykl.com.

For ordering information, to send comments or just to say hi, please send email to mykl@sayntmykl.com.