A rock ‘n’ roll-style photographer if there ever was one – full of energy, brilliant ideas, and a “party all night” attitude – Octavio’s photographic art is pure beauty and sexuality. By combining a classic sense of color and style, Octavio fuses his beguiling retro themes with a dash of progressive sexuality. He photographs the most beautiful women in a manner that’s sassy and imaginative; the standard glamour shot be damned - Octavio is creating something sexier, with more nuance and grandeur.
Whether in black-and-white or vibrant color, rocker chic or cutesy bikini, Octavio’s work is mesmerizing. His talent to invent and capture dramatic and flamboyant imagery is magnetic. If you like your glamour photographers with a bit more whiskey than Coke, then Octavio is for you
Tripp Daniels: How long has WinkyTiki.com been on the Net?
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Octavio: Since 2001. Legend says that I was trying to score a lap dance at a strip club by trying to convince the dancer I was some hotshot shooter. So she asked me if I had a Website, and I said, “Uh sure, but it would be up in a week,” even though back then I’d only taken like three photos in my whole life. To make a long story short, I never got the free dance, but the idea of putting my photos up on the net appealed to me. Word started spreading and suddenly I was working with these celebrity models.
TD: How would you describe your style as a photographer?
O: A purveyor of eye candy… with plenty of flavors to choose from.
TD: You mentioned in your bio that you have no formal training, so how did you get to this point in your career where you are shooting such sexy and modish photographs?
O: Blood, sweat, and tears...and a little but of luck. I try to not suck at what I do, though I have my days. I'm also glad to live in Los Angeles – the talent pool here is great: the best models, stylists, set designers... it all rubs off on you. I've also gotten work assisting some great shooters in the top of their field while polishing my chops. No shortcuts here.
TD: Do you think you’ve distinguished yourself as an artist because you’ve brought back the glitz and sexuality of the classic pinup girl?
O: Not really, I don’t think I’m doing anything new. I just do the Karaoke version of it. I'll be the first to admit that I love women and I like to capture the "glitz" of their personalities in my work. As far as I’m concerned, every girl is a pinup girl. I just find the "it" that brings it out. I've been told by many that my photos remind them of their favorite candy bars they had as kids. Maybe its recycled nostalgia.
TD: What should surfers expect when they join your site?
O: To get hairy palms.
TD: Do you think having a Website to showcase your work is helpful in gaining exposure as an artist?
O: Definitely. You can't do without one nowadays. The first thing anyone wants to see is a Website, including strippers who know you're trying to fool them. Damn, it not only helps artists ‘cause even my plumber has a Website. It doesn’t matter if he sucks as long as he has "Web presence".
TD: What led you into the business of photography – and, more specifically, the fantastically retro-sexy-hip-cool style you shoot?
O: I've always been fascinated by the old album covers. As a kid, Id spend hours going through my dad's record collection and looking at all these gorgeous girls in Martin Denny albums.… Even nowadays I go to thrift stores and browse their records section for inspiration. I guess I approach my work as if I were shooting an album cover for the Tijuana Brass. Nowadays, my pinups can be found in all kinds of products and novelties and kitschy stuff. I’ve even seen stuff being sold out there with images I never licensed, so I guess you can say you know you've made it when your photos are good enough to steal.
TD: What professional goals have you set for yourself?
O: I have a pinup book in the works with a European publisher, so that’s keeping me busy, and Id like to get more of my girlie sets published in magazines. Though most importantly, I'm hoping to someday have a corporate credit card so I can say, "next round's on me!" during happy hour.
TD: What would you be doing if you weren’t photographing beautiful gals?
O: I'd be staring at photos of them in magazines, wishing I were photographing them. Truth is, I don’t see myself doing anything else. If the day comes when I'll be referred to as “the creepy old photographer,” then I'll retire and open a Laundromat. But for now, it’s all I care to do.
TD: What makes for a marvelous photo shoot?
O: The hottest models, the best exotic locations, open bar, a kick-ass crew – did I say open bar? And someone elsepicking up the tab. Oh yeah, and all the photos actually came out in focus. But for now, I'm happy if the model simply shows up... on time
TD: What’s ThePussyAGoGo.com all about?
O: After a few years of producing "teaser" pinups for WinkyTiki.com, I'd be getting e-mails from people asking if I had naked photos of them, and working behind the scenes in the adult biz in LA, I started getting models interested in posing for me. ThePussyAGoGo.com is my naughty girls site, where you can find original adult content with models that are different than the Barbie fembots on the Web: rocker girls, retro chicks, fetish vixens, shot in a more stylized fashion. As a kick, I also have a section where I feature the same super-gloss models you see in the business, but shot raw, no makeup, no wardrobe and no re-touching... just as they walk through the door. For some reason, these anti-glam sets make for great wank material... well... so I heard.
TD: We love the black-and-white stuff. Do you have a preference between that and color shots?
O: It depends. Some things I see in color, others in black-and-white, and I approach every detail differently in each situation. I have a lot of fun working both mediums.
TD: Who are some of your influences?
O: Ya know, I go to two places for inspiration: thrift stores to look at old album covers, old girlie mags, and the local nudie bars. I do look for inspiration in my peers as well. Networking and meeting other artists can keep you on your toes.
TD: Any plans forthcoming with the look and design of the Website?O: I'll keep adding more and more model galleries and videos as I shoot them. Expect to see a lot of fresh new faces. Regardless, I'll still keep the site very basic, easy-to-navigate and straight to the photos. I’m not trying to make an "alt-culture" site with journals, editorials, and music reviews. There’s plenty good ones out there. As far as the site is concerned: It’s all about pussy.
TD: Describe yourself in three words.
O: Meat, whiskey, and coffee.
TD: Where do you like to get drunk?
O: Now that my days of hanging out behind the liquor store with a bottle of Thunderbird are over, I hang out at joints like the Big Foot Lodge in Hollywood, and still manage to enjoy going to really dive-y neighborhood nudie bars; the seedy ones that are run by a "mom" and the girls have stretch marks and bullet wound scars – they can be very surreal – but wherever I go, Jack tastes the same.
TD: What’s your personal policy on tipping at strip clubs?
O: I'm a supporter of capitalism and my tipping scale is proportional to talent, looks, and effort. "The lazy bee-atch ain't getting my dough!" But when I find a dancer I like... man, there goes my rent money.
Thoughts, opinions, comments, suggestions, cheap shots, love letters, haranguing, personalized erotica? How about a cool site I should know about? Drop me a note at [email protected]. Or don't. I really don’t care. I have a healthy self-image.
