T E D . S A M O T O W K A - Fetish Photographer

I grew up in the days when women wore heels, hosiery, corsets, and girdles as their daily clothing. Even as a young child I was simply fascinated by the female. Powerful images which remained with me throughout my life.

In 1992 I had the opportunity to buy a used camera, a Pentax 6x7 with three lenses, that old venerable huge heavy SLR workhorse! I had never really picked up a camera before this. I began to experiment, with no formal classes or training in the craft of photography. To think back now, I chuckle at the incredible moneys I wasted simply learning the basics taking thousands of shots with this camera at damn near two dollars a shot!

The very first Fetish party had started back then in Toronto, my home. There were no cameras allowed, but my reputation as one to be trusted within this kinky community, allowed me to bring that camera to the parties. I guess I looked like I knew what I was doing due to the sheer imposing size of that Pro camera! I would take shots of the denizens of the fetish nights, most were simply awful or lacking any visual impact, yet I was learning photography in a very exciting atmosphere one unlike any other! Every so often I would get a lucky shot that would make you say Ahhhh yes…. THAT ONE!

It gave me the encouragement to keep shooting. This went on for ten years, I was the ONLY photographer allowed at the fetish night party. What I did not realize, was at the time I was learning to use a camera, I was recording on film, the only visual history of an emerging subculture! Looking back, if only I had known what the hell I was doing with that camera, it could have been incredible! Yes dear readers I DO keep a “wall of shame” to remind me of my humble beginnings, it keeps me, and my ego well grounded. This photogs' head and ego will always fit through a doorway without renovations required!

I befriended a couple of Pro Dommes at the party, there were so few in Toronto at the time. I began to do work with them, and I was privileged to eventually be permitted to step behind the curtain into that dark mysterious world of the Pro Dominatrix. The real crime is so many fabulous shots will never see the light of day as agreed between us. I am honoured to have made one Pro Domme, MadamX of Toronto, into a life long close dear dear friend.

I see women unlike most men do. I look for the nuances of the female, the secret hidden keys to her inner power over us lowly males. Some days I wish I was invisible to just be able to watch a woman go about her day. I do not know which is more intriguing to me. To watch woman who is unaware you are observing, or when she is fully aware she is being watched the shift within her is astounding in her actions. Women learn very young how to attract then control the males attention. I could watch women apply makeup and witness the incredible transformation all day long!

I suppose I appear to stare at women a lot I suspect, as I am constantly framing her up in my mind, changing visual angles to look at her in the different light. It invokes some interesting responses, when a woman will boldly come up to me and ask just what the hell I was I looking at her in such an odd manner? <grinz> I have found more than one model that way when I explained! We photographers are weird creatures at the best of times!

My photography is my soul revealed. When I am gone and turned to dust, my images will outlive me, be my legacy. It would be nice if some anthropologist many many decades from now, pondered, just what drove this man? There is a theme within my work, I seek the perfect female, the delicate balance of desire, lust, and power.

For She is the Goddess.

Ted Samotowka.