Interview with Coner

“If I can hold a viewer’s gaze for more than 30 seconds then I feel like I’ve accomplished something” 

What do I think about when I shoot? 

When I go into the shoot the ideas are usually already in my head of what the image looks like. I have a plan. Pieces of that plan are usually abandoned during the shoot as they do not work out because the things outside of the control of the photographer or the model. An example would be that the model is not as flexible that day, or there was an injury to work around. Adjustments need to be made.

I do not get physically aroused during the shoots. Its more about the shoot and focusing on problem-solving. I might be physically aroused after the shoot when things calm down. However, I am too exhausted to do anything about it.  Shooting takes a lot out of me.

My images are more about the human.  

I’m sure my concepts come from images I’ve seen in the past or scenarios. They often come to me when I’m in the shower. Remembering what was in my mind is the most difficult part. 

 I do not remember how old I was when I went to my first kink event.  

I think it was right after college.  I must have been about twenty.  It was on a Thursday night at the Wetspot, a club in Seattle now named CSPC.  The event was called the Grind.  It was an introductory dance party.  It was the first time I saw a public BDSM scene. During this time I was also exploring the swinger communities. 

I started out as a bottom.  It seemed like an easy way to get involved.  I did not have to know anything.  After a couple of trips, I experienced my first public sexual encounter.  I had sex with two girls in the back room while others were doing the same around me.  The most memorable part of the experience was the drive home.  I can remember the surreal thoughts, "holy shit that just happened."

- Coner, July 2020