orn in New York City in 1952, Michael Berkowitz has spent his entire life in the pursuit of both beauty and adventure. He's been a photographer, painter, sculptor and performance artist while traveling the world in search of experience and inspiration. In addition to his art, which was always been his greatest passion, he has been an art professor, mountain climber, a martial arts teacher and world-class competitor, French chef, tight-rope walker and fine furniture maker. He's been married four times (he swears the current one is the last!) and has "been there, and done almost everything" - from attending the Woodstock Festival at age 16 to hitchhiking from Istanbul through Afghanistan to India, to working on an Andy Warhol film. nd now what he says about himself: I've been an artist, painter and sculptor since I was able to hold a crayon, and have exhibited in galleries and museums all over the country. My work is in the permanent collections of some of the country's most prestigious museums. Although I've always taken photos, I only began doing this style of nude portraiture a few years ago, initially just for my own pleasure. I've always loved old photographs, particularly French erotica from the 1800s. Though my work has a vintage feel, I am not after nostalgia, per se, but rather a timeless quality. My studio is in New York City, in an area known as "The Garment Center," close to Times Square. My models are a mixed group. I prefer to work with women whom I find personally interesting rather than fashion models or those who meet the mass media's idea of beauty. That is, real women; the women who are most like the women I've known and loved throughout my life, with all their glorious imperfections. As my reputation has grown, many women have sought me out, wanting to be photographed in exchange for prints. Every week, I receive emails from all over the world from models and ordinary women who want to pose. They'll send me photos (even snapshots) and if their looks appeal to me, we'll arrange for a shoot at a mutually convenient time. In some cases, models will make a special trip to the city, just to be photographed by me; or make a photo session with me part of their vacation time in the city. I photographed a professor of psychology, a lawyer, an award winning costume designer for the theatre, and a massage therapist. My work has also become very popular among bondage and fetish models who love the vintage feel of my work. Most of my models simply want beautiful photos of themselves, a record of their beauty to last forever; and as a way to express their sensuality and sexuality. Some want the photos as a gift for a lover. BRIDE PORTFOLIO DOLL Abigail Alexa Alice Allison Amber Anamaria Ariel Cassidy Claudia Chris Christina Christina, II Cordelia Dacia Dara Dyvorah Fallon Iris Jen Jenni Jennah Jesme Jezebel Julie Julie, II Karen Karen, II Kate Katerina Kerry Kim Kristine Laurie Liz Marta Melody Michelle Minxen Monika Phoenix Rachel Rayne Rebecca Reive Robyn Sativa Sirena Stephanie Theda Tiana Tienne Vivienne Vixen Widow Willow Xana Yaya