By Peter Berton
LOS ANGELES – Noted adult photographer Alan has a resume most photogs can only dream about. He started as a graphic designer creating box cover art, then bought a camera and started shooting adult content.
Ten years ago, Alan struck out on his own as a full-time photographer. Today, the sought-after shooter’s credits include magazine layouts for Penthouse, Cheri, High Society and Fox. Alan also has provided on-set photography for films from Penthouse, Wicked, Vivid, Hustler, Adam and Eve, Brazzers, Bluebird, New Sensations, Digital Playground, 3rd Degree, Burning Angel and Silver Cash.
In 2013, Alan began directing adult movies for companies including Vivid and Wicked. Today, he works for Gamma Entertainment’s popular lesbian properties, WebYoung.com and AllGirlMassage.com.
YNOT caught him between shoots.
YNOT.com: What attracted you to adult photography?
Alan: I’ve always had a fascination with the female form. Ever since I was young, I enjoyed looking at nude photos of beautiful women and aspired to shoot them when I got older.
How did you get started?
I started as a box-cover artist for Jill Kelly productions, creating VHS and DVD packaging designs. I befriended our box cover photographer and eventually convinced him to give me a job as his assistant.
From there, I started getting my own clients, and the rest is history. As of today, I have about 10 years experience shooting adult content.
What did you think of your first adult shoot?
It was stressful. I just wanted the pictures to be good, and I wasn’t sure how to make sure they would be. But it turned out well, and my photos have been better and better ever since.
What is your shooting philosophy? How do you make your models comfortable?
My shooting philosophy? That’s a tough one. I guess it would be “no detail too small,” or maybe “other people can do the easy shots; I’ll do the hard ones.” One of those two.
As far as making the girls feel comfortable, I like to crack a lot of jokes while I’m shooting and be really playful and positive. I think it helps the girls relax.
Also, I never use negative words. You’ll never hear be use a word like “bad” — more like “good, but let’s try it a little differently. What would it look like if you….” Stuff like that.
What have been the high points of your career?
I shot the cover of Penthouse twice and the cover of Cheri almost 20 times. I have worked for almost every adult video company in the business.
Recently I started directing, and I am especially proud of the work I have done on WebYoung.com and AllGirlMassage.com.
Why do you focus on lesbian photography?
I think the appeal is obvious. Two women getting it on is extremely passionate and erotic. Plus, if one naked girl is good, isn’t two or even three better? I think so!
Is it important for the models to enjoy what they are doing on camera?
Yes and no. I’ve met plenty of models who hated nude modeling but were good at it. Likewise, I’ve met models who where super-enthusiastic, yet clueless.
Ideally, I would wish for an enthusiastic and competent model. But if I had to choose one or the other, I’ll take competent every time.
How did you become associated with Gamma, and what are you doing for them?
I started working with Gamma in 2012, when me and another director, Craven Moorehead, shot some WebYoung test scenes for then. After a while, they offered me the opportunity to work on a second site, AllGirlMassage.com.
They have been really supportive of my work on WebYoung and AllGirlMassage. Recently, we began working on an exciting new all-girl project. I’m very excited about that!
How important is it for photographers to be adaptable?
Extremely. Styles are always 
changing, and it’s important to stay immersed in what other shooters in adult and mainstream are doing.
I look at photography as being similar to cooking. Each “style” is similar to a recipe — moody, backlit, bright, indoor or outdoor. The more experienced you are, the more recipes you accumulate. After a while you can start to mix and match ideas from different recipes to come up with new and interesting fusion cuisine ideas.
What are your future plans?
To devote myself fully to making Gamma’s all-girl sites as good as I possibly can and hope they are successful. If they are, I think that will keep me busy for the foreseeable future. Fingers crossed!
