As part of Pin Up Week here on deviantART I'll be doing a series of interviews with some of dA's most prominent Pin Up photographers.
First up is *wickedhailey out of Austin, Texas. I know you're not here to read my ramblings so lets get with the goods!!!!

1)First off introduce yourself? Who are you, where are you from? What’s your fav food etc etc haha!

I am the troublemaker behind Wicked Hailey Photography and that would make me Hailey of course. I live in Austin, Texas with my husband and 2 siberian huskies. I was born and raised in Texas but I have traveled all over. Unquestionably Austin is and will always be my home. Where else could a homeless cross dresser run for mayor and actually get votes? I am also a bit of an insomniac. I am loyal to a fault and that makes me a bit of a sucker. I am faithful and a flirt and I am catty.
My favorite food is the artichoke...oh how I love thee artichoke...come to me... :drools:

2)What first drew you to photography? And in turn Pin Up photography…

I started shooting when I was 14 years old when my great uncle sent me a Pentax K1000, ( wooo pentax!!! - Ghouldaddy), that he had lying around. He was a collector of all things so he sent me several lenses and bodies and started my love affair with all things photographic. I ~unfortunately~ have my photos from my first shoot (and the gal I shot actually has them up on her myspace). My grandfather, James, was the one who exposed me to my first pinup when I was 8 or 9 years old. I remember thinking that Rita Hayworth was the woman I wanted to grow up to be. Over time I realized that I didn’t want to be Hayworth, I wanted to see people like Bob Landry saw her. Everyone has something in them that makes them special; a good photographer finds that and captures a whisper of that on film.

3)In your view, what makes a great pin up photo?

A great pinup photo is in the details. A hint of something naughty without overtly giving it away. A curl of the lips, a glimmer in the eye, the dips and curves hidden in light and shadows, the perception that there is no other person in the room. My grandmother likes to use the old euphemism “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?” I feel the same way about pinup photography. The beauty is in what is implied. If you could just tilt your head a little more…

4)What do you look for in a model for your pin up work?

I choose models that interest me. This involves personality and other less tangible things as well as appearance. While some of my models fall within mass market definitions of beauty, others are less conventional in appearance. I'm especially fond of intelligent models that are willing to treat a shoot as a collaboration, and contribute creative energy to the process. I think that everyone has a little pinup in them, coaxing that out of them is half the fun.

5)What do you think of the “new pin up” that can be found on sites like Gods Girls and Suicide Girls. Is that really pin up in your opinion or is it something else that has its roots in Pin Up?

I usually keep my opinions of “alt girl” modeling sites pretty under wraps. I am glad the exposure is out there for alternative models where in the past there was nothing, however, I am a firm believer in empowering yourself and not letting someone else dictate your worth. I think I will just leave it at that. Ask me after a few martinis in person…

6)Is there anyone that you wish to work with?
A million and one people. I love exposing something different in a model. Whether it is a different side of that person or a feature that they previously thought was a flaw – I want to take a photo and for that person to think of themselves a little differently after the shoot. I see people differently than they see themselves, from what I gather. How you see them in the photo is what I see. I don’t really have a list of people that I would love to work with because I like to find people in my everyday life and expose that inner pinup.

7)I know for myself, music and my friends/lifestyle, movies are a big influence on my work, what influences you day to day? And does it creep into your work

I love color. The bigger and bolder the better! I love to watch movies and find my work is flavored with a bit of each movie. My personal favorites are What Dreams May Come because of the transition be bright bold color and the darkness and shadows. I think my work has those converse realities as well and is reflected in my work. I listen to a little bit of everything when it comes to music and my mood is often times based on my music for the day.

8)When you’re not shooting, what do you do?

I work at my day job for a property preservation company and spend time with my family. Austin is the live music capital of the world, so I also get to see a lot of live music.

9)What attracted you to deviantART

I joined DA so long ago now. I have come to love many of my DA friends since my joining in Sept of 2004. The community of people who actually care what is going on in other artist’s lives and what inspires them is what keeps me here.

10)Who are some of your fav artists on deviantART

`GoblinQueeen =PerryGallagher =xxbcxx ~WickedNox *queenfish and of course ^Ghouldaddy, (way to score points - ghouldaddy)
But there are so many talented artist out there, I am not sure I can name all the people who inspire me.

11)What are some of your fav images

A dark and humorous filled take on love and obsession. I am in love with vector work because I have absolutely no talent when it comes to vectors.
I think that tattoos are one of the single most individual representation of who you are that exists. The tattooed lady from sideshow fame has stolen my heart time and time again. There is beauty in knowing that you are never completely naked.
Maybe one of the most erotic images I have ever seen and yet no one is naked…
I love the details and focus. It makes you want to see more.
A classic car seems to have life. It is like the velveteen rabbit and being loved real. They float and fly down the road with a grace that we will never find again.

12)What is YOUR fav image of your own and why?

Flaws and all I love the color, model and everything about this photo. It is a real reflection of who I am as a person.

13)Where would you like to see dA’s pin up gallery go? Should we have a new and old school categories?

I really like the diversity within the pinup gallery now. I like that I can see everything from a modern day pinup to the traditional and even a few men (where are you guys hiding). I think that the pinup gallery will only grow from here with more and more people experimenting with giving new life to the art of the tease. I am really proud that there are people out there who are looking back at some of the great pinup artists of the past and are inspired. Beauty never dies as they say and what is more beautiful than the perfection of a pinup.

14)What’s up next for you? Any big projects?

As always, I will have a calendar out this year. I like to keep myself busy and we are traveling a lot. I plan to shoot until my camera breaks again or till my fingers fall off. Of course there are some surprises in store for this year and all I can say is just keep watching for more fun and games!
And remember “A woman can be as wicked as she likes, but if she is not pretty it does her no good.”

and some eye candy from *wickedhailey's gallery: