Around the US. Washington DC and Florida for sure... Then who knows.

If anyone wants to meet up at some point for some collab's let me know!

I wanted to do an update regarding stock photography. I am not sure how many of my watchers use stock photos in their work, but I have a proposition for those of you who do.

As many of you know, last year I spent a month in Europe photographing my heart out- some models, but mostly architecture and fine landscapes. I came back with over 3,500 RAW images but have barely had any time to work on any of them. In fact, I think that I might have gotten to maybe 15-20 seriously. It's a shame to let some of this work go to waste because I am not sure when and where I will have time to get to many of these projects with my schedule. I'm almost afraid they'll get lost in time and the archives of my ever expanding hard drive collection (over 8TB in work - only 1-5% worked on)...

Soooo.. my proposition is as follows - I'd like to offer some of my untouched raw work up as stock photos for some of you to mess around with - to see what you can do with it. This is something that I have mixed feeling about - sending my babies out into the world to be cared for by others, at the same time, curious and excited to see what some of you amazing artists can with in collaboration.. I'd like some opinions. If I do this - it will be with my non-model work for starters.

What do you all think? Any interest?

The best pose a model can give me is when she isn't. When I tell her to take a break and she does what comes natural. Stretching, moving, purring, flowing. I find that is when I get my best shots in.
-Rahim

Was just on my way to bed and I saw I just got another Daily Dev! Thank you to ^cosfrog!!

Cheers mate!

The obligatory end of one year, beginning of new statement.

I suppose I should be getting on the ‘writing one of these’ wagon, seeing as so many people are. I don’t recall ever writing one before, what with my terrible memory and all, but if I haven’t, then this year I have good reason to. It’s been eventful to say the least.

I think this is the most I’ve ever talked about myself anywhere.

First and foremost, I took a shot at being self destructive; over partying, over flirting, over indulging. I think my intent was to try and accelerate something in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t trying to harm myself. I’ve just spent a lot of years in a cage that I’ve been trying to escape from and I had some catching up to do. I don’t really know if I was successful, but I’m pretty sure I looked really cool doing it.

It’s been 1 year and 7 months since I quit smoking cold turkey. I don’t really feel any health benefits, but I smell better. The money I saved went to pay for rising gas prices.

Living life in Winnipeg can easily be compared to the EKG readout of your average rotting cadaver. The city as a whole as a black hole. It’s corrupt, economically declining, dead end, and cold. You can see the frustration in the faces of people here. There is a lot of pent up anger and jealousy in the same way that 2 rats in a cage will fight over a single scrap of food. It’s not their fault, it’s about survival. It’s nearly impossible to run a successful business in Winnipeg. Those who live here are finding themselves sinking deeper in the metaphoric quicksand.

So this brings me to my first subject of travel. I have been lucky enough to escape this city several times this year. My adventure began in London, to visit some cousins that I didn’t even know existed until recently. I was able to stay with my family there and I promptly set up home base for my Euro-Trip.

While in London, I met David and his wife Karin. Two amazing people who welcomed me into their lives like an old friend. They took me to Windsor, Oxford, and central London, and best of all to Platform 9 and ¾. They graciously had me over for dinner several times. I’ll never forget their generosity. Also in London, I met and worked with gorgeous Janine Holmes; we shot in a park where she changed outfits while barely hiding behind tiny bushes and got whistled at by nearby construction workers. I had her hanging on trees and posing on branches. During one of our sets, a tiny puppy promptly peed on her pile of clothes. It was funny.

My Cousin, Tahir, and his friend Anks decided to take me out for a weekend of partying in Birmingham. On the way back we stopped off at a pub, in Anks’ home town, and had a proper Sunday roast (I miss that) and a Liverpool game. I was now addicted to soccer and pub food.

My next stop was in Dublin, Ireland, where I had Guinness Stout and Seafood chowder for breakfast! This is where I met Amy MacMahon and Kim Bale. Amy and I shot from day till night all over Trinity College. She’s a sexy sweetheart with a dark side. The next day she gave me a small tour of an industrial shore where we stepped on a lot of barnacles and later that night took me out to a pub drinking with her Irish mates and I promptly tried to start a soccer fight (Go Liverpool!). Now I know that “amn’t” is a word (contraction for ‘am not’ ). I’m sitting here in mortification that my MS Word would even consider underlining it in red as though it was a common spelling error.

I met Kim on the morning I was leaving. This brave hottie showed up at our meeting place wearing a trench coat, fishnet stocking and a very short skirt that doubled as an elastic band. I was wearing 2 shirts, a sweater and jacket and still freezing. We shot at Merrion Square Park, where she was promptly kicked off of a pedestal that I put her on. We also took a photo of her near a sleeping construction worker. After the shoot she invited me to a pub and 5 pints each later, I promptly missed my plane back to London. Her company was worth it. Now I know my tummy is capable to transporting at least 2.5 liters of beer.

Then I was off to Venice, Italy. I wonder if the Italians have a word for ‘asshole.’ Because that’s the word I’d have used the most during my visit in Venice. I don’t want to get into much detail, but I will say that my time out there was spent with my mouth shut and camera out. The 99 cent bottles of wine and 62 cent bottles of Peroni kept me in check.

Berlin. Wow. This was the last place I would visit in Europe before I’d head back to London to prepare for my sad flight home, but one of the most memorable. As my journey was ending, it was just beginning for my friends Janna and Ashley. My high school friend Jon, was now living in Berlin, generously took the time to show us around, when he could. During the day, the history was inspiring, and in the evening, the night life was amazing. I still miss it.

Later in 2008, I was invited to photograph in Grant Park during the US Elections with my good friend, Jamie Hall. We started in Las Vegas and drove through to Chicago stopping at Obama offices on the way for interviews. We met a lot of interesting people and got into some pretty unique situations. This was epic for the both of us as we were becoming a part of history. Despite the fact that we were almost killed by raging fireworks (when they say use by professionals only, they weren’t kidding) and 4 hours into the drive, I rigged a Red Bull I.V. directly into my veins, everything went well. Except the Pizza incidents (I hope you learnt your lesson Jamie, but I know that you never will),

Yes, I know that I’ve been threatening to move away for a year now; mark my words, it will happen. The timing has to be just right, and on my own terms, so that I don’t have an excuse to ever come back.

Work.

In 2008, I spent less time on my usual published assignments, to work on a few new personal projects and expand as an artistic photographer. Perhaps, it was because I needed a break, or maybe because I lost my focus. I spent more time working with Jamco, FTH, Club Life, and various golf tourneys than anything else, and it was an interesting experience to say the least. I connected with new people, and made a lot of new friends and fans. I always said that I’d 'never be an event photographer'. Yet, here I am, having fun.

In the studio, as expected, I worked with plenty of beautiful new models, and many of my ‘tolerant’ veterans to whom I’ve grown so attached. Each time I look through my view finder, I am at my happiest. This year I’ve also begun to teach classes at the University of Winnipeg as a Photoshop instructor. My first time in front of a classroom; I hope they liked me.

On the topic of friends and family; those who know me well, know that I don’t often talk about my closest friends and family. Yet they are my driving force and fuel the drive to my long term goals. These are the people who know more about me than just the mask I wear on the outside. To those of you who are lucky enough to be in my inner circle, know that nothing more needs to be said. Those of you who I’ve pushed away, I am sorry for my selfish reasons; Thank you for the time we had.

Let’s talk about love. I’m by no means a loving person. Anyone who tells you different is a dirty liar. I’ve learnt, many years ago, to shut my heart out to the world because allowing someone close to it leaves it vulnerable for a good stabbing. It’s improbable to find the right person who can be understanding to the lifestyle I lead. I don’t think I would trust me either. That being said, so many have gotten so close to it this year in a lot of unusual ways; some as friends, some as infatuations, some as lovers. On the other hand, some have been pushed away by my own hypocrisy, greed, and selfishness. These are my regrets. That’s life; it goes on.

With a clean calendar, what’s ahead for Rahim? For the following year, I pledge to be less generous, thus less used. I hope to travel more and fall into the middle of new adventures. I will strive to move away from the black hole. I vow and separate my work from my personal affairs. I will endeavor to be a better role model to those who deserve me and continue to intimidate those who don’t. I promise to be a bigger asshole to know-it-alls on ‘modelmayhem.com.’ Most of all I swear to stay true to myself, never compromise my beliefs, and take control of my future.

I hope that at the end of 2009, I’ll be writing to you all again with good news and happiness.

I wish, for you all, nothing but the best for following year.

Rahim