Known for photographing outrageously sexy models who look as if they only exist in fantasies, artist and photographer Mike James has an unmistakable style. With the popularity and all the good feedback we’ve received from the July feature on Mike’s gorgeous models, known as the “James Girls,” I knew a follow-up was definitely in order.

As with all of Mike’s former and current models I’ve corresponded with, the ladies who gave me their comments for this feature, speak very highly of Mr. James, personally and professionally, as he does of them. The James Girls included in the first article can all be considered current James Girls, as they have all done recent shoots with Mike and plan to again. Just two of the ladies featured in this piece fall into that category. Unfortunately, the others now currently reside in the “Former James Girls” file, but there’s hope they may again appear before his camera.

The vision in red above is one of Mike’s current favorites, Mala Mastroberte, from a very recent shoot entitled “Red Devil.” Mala is one of the two ladies in this article who currently models for Mike and graciously responded to my request for her comments on what it’s like to work with him. Of course, it goes without saying who all the photo credits in this article go to.

Mala Mastroberte is also very experienced behind the camera as well as in front. A pin-up fan and photographer herself, she and Mike have a favorite model in common; her. Mala tells of her association with Mike:

Meeting Mike was a contemporary serendipity. He’d been an established pin-up artist and a sculptor for many years, when I first started doing what’s become the latest phenomenon; selfies. Fascinated with vintage pin-up, pulp and paperback cover art, I’ve been recreating and creating mock-ups of “vintage” covers and pin-ups and posting them on-line. In my little photo studio I would do everything from costumes and make-up, through self photography, to editing. Now some of my best selfies are available in a little book called Malaland Magazine Covers from Binary Publications as well as posters and limited edition canvas prints and special photo books …but back to our story! Our mutual online friend, a pin-up gallery curator from Belgium, Paul Grisar (PinupExpo.com), knowing both of us and our work, played a pin-up match-maker. He put us in touch and did not rest until a photo shoot was scheduled. Being a bit particular when it comes to my idea of pin-up and being of the vintage and retro conviction, but also quite fascinated with Mike’s very distinctive style, I did not know what to expect from our meeting. From the first shoot I felt very comfortable working with him, even though some of the ideas I probably would not have executed or even conceived without him. He definitely likes to push boundaries, which makes him a pioneer to be copied by others over and over. But this recognizable style is not to be easy duplicated, even though Mike often openly shares his “tricks” and “tips.”

“Winter Reveal”

As an aspiring pin-up artist and an enthusiast of fantasy imagery, I’ve learned bundles from Mike and I believe that my experience with the camera on both sides contributed to our work together as well. Photo shoots can be tons of fun, when working with the right people, but they are also hard work. When looking at the fabulous images with Mike James’ signature, not many people realize how much time, thought and effort goes into each one of them. One of the qualities I appreciate in Mike the most is his professionalism, sprinkled with wit and so much enthusiasm. When I come to his beautiful Pennsylvania abode it is usually for a few days, packed to the brims, we work relentlessly from the early morning until the nightfall, and then we spend several hours still, reviewing the photos from the day, discussing ideas and getting excited about the next day of pin-up and glamour. I love to be able to let go of all my prejudices, even though I don’t think I have many, and constrictions and just show the pin-up in me; happy, free, sexy, playful and witty. Mike’s studio is complete with a vast wardrobe for his models, tons of super fun props and full, professional make up set. I believe it would probably be fine if I come with a toothbrush only, but I still bring some of the cherished items from my collection of pin-up lingerie, clothes and props. Also just to show them off to him. In that regard he can be like your BFF!

Mala, as photographed by Mike James, gracing the cover of the July 2014 issue of the British pin-up magazine Tease and Cake.

There are countless “firsts” for me, which I can credit to Mike and many memories that make me smile when I recall them. Like the time when we were filming a video in a supermarket and an older gentleman thanked me for bringing back memories because I was wearing seamed stockings. Or the time when Mike had me “pet” the rock on the other side of the pond on his property, which I had to first climb in high heels.Whether it is a photograph, drawing or a video vignette, his creations are the new frontier of pin-up and I am very happy to be a part of it. Another great testimony to Mike’s personality is the fact that the models that he loves to work with are all strong, beautiful women in their own rights. We come from many different backgrounds, we all have our own very full lives. Some of us met and know each other, some only know the pictures, but trough him we have? Become a community …called the James Girls!

Mike says of working with Mala:

I first became aware of Mala on Facebook in 2008 through my Belgian gallerist, Paul Grisar. At that time, Mala was meticulously re-creating old pulp paperbacks covers of the 40s, 50s, and 60s, using herself as the cover girl, not only operating as model but as photographer. Mala was an impressive girl, talented, hard-working, dedicated, pretty, leggy as hell, and with great sense of style.

“Rocket Girl”

The three of us, Paul, Mala, and myself, each adoring pin-up as we do, began conversing online regularly, for over a year. For some reason, I had it in my mind that Mala lived near Paul in western Europe, perhaps Belgium. I would have gone on thinking this until Paul suggested I photograph Mala for myself. Of course, I told Paul I’d love to, but because Mala was overseas, I couldn’t afford to fly her to my studio. That’s when laughingly he informed me that Mala lived in New Jersey, just a 100 miles or so from my studio, AND had a car! Well, that was the beginning of a remarkable relationship.

I think our first shoot was in late 2010 and we did many many shoots over the next 2-3 years. The glorious results have appeared in magazines, and hopefully in an upcoming book. But Mala’s freedom to model for me recently took a turn for the worse when she took up full-time employment in a city further from me. I miss her. What a GREAT classic pinup model!

When asked about which models he’d most like to see featured in this follow-up, who weren’t featured in the first piece, one thing Mike said to me was “you MUST include Tina Krause. She is by far the most famous model I have, and I’ve shot her more than any of the others.” Mike says he doesn’t have a favorite model, because they’re all his favorites ….but if he absolutely had to choose one, I’d bet he say Tina Krause. She did her first shoot with Mike 18 years ago, but it was not just a “stepping stone” in her career. Even though she has since established herself as as one of the best-known indie horror film actresses of all time, she has done shoots with Mike over the years, the most recent being this year (when the shot at left was taken), looking better than ever at 44. Despite her busy schedule, Tina was happy to get in touch with me to include her comments. She says of working with Mike:

Well, most shoots are great. In fact, I didn’t have a bad shoot, they were all fun but I think the best was when we went to the Pennsylvania State Fair. Now, that was funny and we took a picture with a cop. We used to do the conventions and those are always fun. My favorite outfit had to be the red metallic bikini. I did my first dance video in it. I liked it so much that the next shoot I did, Mike, the sweetheart that he is, actually gave me the bikini. I love that outfit. I truly hope we get to go to Paris one day and do a shoot there. That would be amazing!

“Red Rubber”

Mike is an amazing photographer with an amazing eye and outside of shooting models and making them look like goddesses, and we love that, he is also a top notch artist and not just girl sculptures. He actually has exhibitions in high end galleries in and outside of the USA. The work that he does is so captivating and intelligent it will literally blow you away. I have nothing but great things to say about Mike and his work. He is truly an amazing talent.

Mike on working with Tina:

Tina and I have an unusually long history together of which I am very proud. Tina was practically the FIRST model of my pin-up photography career, back in 1997. And now, almost 18 years later, I’m STILL photographing her, because she’s cool, and remains AGELESSLY beautiful!

In those early days, I employed Tina as a mascot/spokesmodel for my resin-kit company Azimuth Design. I used her image in print ads and took her to trade shows to help me sell my wares. It worked great. Tina was popular with fans at trade shows because she was already famous for the movies she was staring in. To capitalize on that fame, I began selling pinup art prints of her at these trade shows which soon became an industry unto itself, almost overshadowing my well-known resin sculptures. I began shooting DVD cover art that featured her for EI Cinemas.

“Deck Candy”

A few magazines also took notice of my pinup pics of Tina. Among them a giant 200-page Tokyo quarterly, called “CoolToys” who up until that time had been covering my sculpture releases. CoolToys began a regular feature called “Tina’s Room” where each issue had 3 or 4 pages devoted to my photos of her. Tina became so popular in Japan that at one point they wanted to fly us into Tokyo for autograph signings.

Photographing Tina now is absolutely frictionless. During her most recent shoot with me in September, I hardly even needed to instruct her on what make-up colors I wanted, what hairstyle, what posing, what facial expression, or anything. At this point Tina knows EXACTLY what I need and nails poses on the very first exposures.

But, as highly as I think of Tina as a “professional model,” I place her within the top 3 models I’ve ever shot, Tina is primarily a film star. The online movie-data directory IMDb lists 110 movies in which she is featured. She is ALWAYS working. Lately, Tina’s more into the production end of movie-making. Video interests me as well, and currently we are discussing getting funding to do a pin-up video series in which she will star.