Photographer John Tennler has been capturing the beauty and spirit of the transgender community for years through his camera. His dedication to and respect of T-girls has brought him the forefront of TVTS photography. He talked to us about his unique approach to his artform.
Eros Zine: How did you begin shooting photography?
John Tennler: It all started many years ago before my wife Lindsey past away. She was my inspiration to begin erotic photography. It all started there.
EZ: What instigated you to do T-girl photo shoots?
JT: I had my first TS encounter with one of the most beautiful T-girls in the world. Her name is Diana. Her beauty and grace captivated me. She wanted me to do layouts for her personal use so I was more than glad. This meant I could develop my career as a photographer.
EZ: What was it like?
JT: It was a blast. It was very erotic to shoot a beautiful model with a special secret between her legs. Not simply because she is a woman, but because her unique physical attributes stimulated all my senses.
EZ: What continues to draw you to them and them to you?
JT: Because they are so much fun to work with. They are real and have an honest approach to life, to survive in a world that is not always fair.
T-girls are a great subject for erotic photography but this attraction goes beyond eroticism. It nurtures the spirit. They stimulate the energies around any circle they walk in. They are like an energy generator that awakens all your senses.
I suppose that they are drawn to my work because they appreciate my amazing talent to capture the moment, and they love when I capture their true essence as the women they are.
EZ: Where do you find your models and how well do you know them?
JT: Today, most of them come to me. I know quite a few of the girls. My first true friend introduced me to most of the T-girls in the SF Bay Area and it sort of grew from there. Now they come from all over the world to have me shoot pictures depicting their transition in its different stages.
EZ: Do you have a particular muse?
JT: That would be Susan Shah. She is not only my dearest friend, but also a beautiful, kind and genuine individual who has inspired me to develop my craft as an erotic photographer and even beyond that as a movie producer and editor. Since she is a film director, writer and model, we've worked together on many projects such as www.MyTSdiary.com, www.AstepAheadTheMovie.com and much more.
Our common interest is to help represent the Transgender community in a positive way for those around now and for the ones to come.
EZ: Do you find TS models to be similar to biological girls in terms of being shy?
JT: Actually, T-girls are pretty wild and hardly ever shy. They are very comfortable with my presence.
EZ: Do you prefer to shoot in studio or natural environment?
JT: Both are great fields for me. I enjoy working in the privacy of a studio but I also love outdoor photography.
EZ: Can you walk me through a typical photo shoot?
JT: The girls are with me for a lapse of 3 to 4 hours. They change into several outfits depending on their interests. This allows us to get familiar and comfortable with each other while I study their best angles. Then we start taking pictures .
EZ: Do you still run your own production company in the Bay Area?
JT: Since I am a filmmaker by trade, this has allowed me to collaborate in a new production company with Susan Shah Enterprises. We are currently available to those seeking to produce motion pictures or short films and for web design.
EZ: What kind of videos do you do?
JT: Wedding videos mostly and independent films. Everything from plain vanilla to a banana split with all the trimmings, if you know what I mean!
EZ: You just finished work on the film A Step Ahead. What is it about and how did you get involved in it?
JT: It is the story of a bride-to-be who encounters tragedy through deceit by her fianc�. It's quite dramatic in content and beautifully shot on 16mm film. It's directed by Susan Shah and put together with the participation of a great cast and crew. Susan wanted to shoot in the bay area instead of the east coast, where she is currently perfecting her craft as a filmmaker.
I highly recommend it. It's due for screening next year at the 29th San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
EZ: You are working on a book right now, Girls of the New Millennium? Tell me about it.
JT: The book is still in need of a publisher, and it is a great opportunity for a publishing company who wants to make it huge in the transgender memorabilia market! There are some great looking T-girls included in it, and there's an intense attention to detail that captures the realism and true spirit of the transsexual.
EZ: What is next for you?
JT: Continue being a helping hand to minority groups such as the transgender community. Develop my film editing and photography craft to higher levels so people can enjoy the story telling that remains to be told. And, of course, to continue my pursuit for an Academy award.
Thanks so much for talking with us John. We look forward to seeing your film in the SF International Film Festival and hope to be able to see your book on shelves soon too! You can view more of John Tennler's work at www.tennler.com.
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