I am a studio portrait photographer. I don't approach a shoot with any preconceived ideas or concepts. I don't use my subjects as props. I don't provide makeup artists or stylists. I photograph them as they are, or as they present themselves at the time.
I improvise, offer suggestions, nudge them, push them along and guide them to wherever it is they want to go. This all starts with them.
They can do what they want, as long as it's not illegal or scary.
I just set up a situation and work with what they give me. I will always add a twist or two.
As for my style, I've always tried to push the boundaries a bit and come up with something different. I will beat an idea to death until it changes into the next reincarnation. I keep the set raw, minimal and secondary to the subject at hand.
I must end this by saying, there are always exceptions!
Mike Narciso