Rather than trying to deconstruct Ellen’s work (I couldn’t if I tried and it speaks for itself anyway) I thought I’d just talk about her as a person.

I was working at Nerve.com in 2001 when I first experienced Ellen Stagg in the flesh. Her incredibly sexy and visceral pictures , some of them self-portraits, had appeared on the website and in the print magazine. Her professional reputation proceeded her before she strode by me to meet with Nerve’s photo editor. Tall, platinum blonde and with oodles of presence and charisma, I immediately recognized her from her work. As she showed her portfolio, I thought about introducing myself as a fan of her work, but grew intimidated and instead watched her talking over her latest images with the editor.

Over the next few years I got to know Ellen well. We have teamed up on a few freelance projects together from gate- crashing a Girls Gone Wild event for Nerve, to a pictorial study for Vice Magazine’s sex issue, to walking a variety of dog breeds in Chelsea to find out which pedigree social interaction with gay men for OUT. I have both assisted, and posed for Ellen and whenever I am able to, recommend her to take pictures to accompany my articles.

Ellen is a proponent of positive thought . She asks the Universe for health , love and happiness for her friends family and self and the Universe has provided. She has a keen interest in astrology and spiritual things. Nevertheless, Ellen is the most professional, enthused and straight forward person I know.