Bill Dobbins

Bill Dobbins is a photographer, writer, editor and video creator based in Los Angeles. He was the founding editor of Flex Magazine, author of 8 print books and has collaborated on 3 books with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Two of his book are fine art photo publications, featuring aesthetically developed muscular female bodies: women bodybuilders, fitness and figure competitors, athletes and amazing Amazons. As a commercial and advertising photographer, his work includes fashion, beauty and variety of other types photos. As a writer, he contributes articles to magazines world wide, and is working on two novels to be published in the near future as Kindle eBooks. His fine art photos have been featured in a number of art galleries and two museums. "I was in the right place at the right time," Bill says on the subject of how he came to become involved in photographing the "fit and fabulous" women of the fitness world. "Publisher Joe Weider asked me to become the founding editor of Flex Magazine, I was doing that job when the physique competition for women began and I simply started writing about them and shooting their photos." Bill approached this subject with what he calls the "Ansel Adams Strategy": Do it first, do it best and do it the most. The only drawback to his success in shooting this kind of photo, Bill has found, is that photographers can be every bit as subject to typecasting as actors. "I shoot a lot of fashion, beauty and lifestyle pictures as well as doing physique photos," he says. "I try to bring my particular style of graphic clarity to all my work. But when art buyers and creative directors see shots of female muscle they often have trouble visualizing how I can contribute to the kinds of projects they are developing. Fortunately, my portfolio is strong enough that I can often prevail when I have a chance to show my book. Publishing eBooks is a more recent part of Bill's creative efforts. Because he is able to do graphic design in addition to being a writer and photographer, he realized he was in a position to be a "one man band" and put together books totally on his own. "I went through the same thing when I began designing web sites in 1999," Bill explains. "So I'm looking forward to experiencing the same success with Kindle books. Meanwhile, Bill Dobbins continues to pursue commercial photography from his studio in Los Angeles, and welcomes inquiries from new clients. His commercial work can be seen at BILL DOBBINS PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.billdobbinsphotography.com