By Erika Icon
YNOT – Photographer extraordinaire Diane Arbus once wrote, “A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.”
With Dean Thompson, the opposite holds true: People want to know more and see more. Like Arbus, Thompson is a master of portraiture. After a tour in the fashion industry, the man who calls himself “the Jackson Pollock of adult” recently turned his attention to porn stars. Now, he said, his goals are to photograph every big name in the biz, work on sets with esteemed directors and publish a book to coincide with a gallery show of this work.
What makes a fashion photographer want to get into porn?
Dean Thompson: Every now and then you just want to try something different. Sometimes over the course of time, you find yourself wanting something completely different altogether. I’ve been led here, and I wasn’t really looking.
Although you’re new to adult, what similarities and differences do you see between porn and fashion?
The editorial style I shot in fashion already possessed a demure sexuality, but most [of that was] undertones. The industry outline is more or less the same, just significantly different personalities.
What do you hope to accomplish with this transition?
I’m always searching for what’s next, and that’s the natural evolution in my work. Sometimes [transition] occurs and I don’t even notice. This transition [to adult] is me actively seeking the next step. I see this influencing my mainstream product, as well.
With free porn hub sites up and film production way down, the adult industry isn’t exactly thriving. How do you think you will make a living in adult?
I live off of cocktails, beautiful models, inertia and forward momentum.
Obviously Dean Thompson isn’t your real name. How did you come up with your porn alter ego? Tell us a little about him.
Way before I ever picked up a camera, I wrote a lot. I have never hero-worshipped very much, so the few [people I think of as heroes], I respect. Hunter S. Thompson was a brilliant author and American revolutionary. James Dean was just an all-around cool motherfucker. So there you have it: Dean Thompson. Should I have gone with Lexington Texas or something?
Who have you already photographed?
Zoe Voss, Katie Summers, Phoenix Askani, Chelsea Brooke, Ashley Adams and Presley Hart.
Who do you want to photograph?
Asa Akira, Eve Lawrence, Kayden Kross, Stoya, Belladonna, Tori Black and Gracie Glam.
Who are your all-time favorite adult performers, living or dead?
Eve Lawrence and Asa Akira.
You’ve been photographing models. Do you also want to be on set? If so, is there any specific genre or genres — girl-girl, MILF, big-budget features, something else — that you want to photograph?
All of the above. I have always found bukkake interesting. Should I bring a raincoat if I’m taking the stills?
Who influenced your work the most in the fashion and art worlds?
Nobody at first, because I made an active effort to avoid absorbing other artists. I’m a little more comfortable in my own voice nowadays, and I do enjoy Demarchelier, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton.
We hear you’re working on a book and an upcoming gallery show. Can you tell us a little about those?
They are going to be game-changers for both industries — a perfect infusion. We’ve got a great venue and a very interesting spread picked out for the show. It’ll be a list you’ll definitely want to be on.
How porn girls and adult studios get in touch if they’re interested in your work?
Email me.
For more about Thompson, check out his website, follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.
