In this week's installment of Gettin' The Skinny, I sit down with Official Threadless Photographer, Sean. We chat about Shimala's pre-shoot preparation, photographic adventures in Japan and why a unicorn would make an awesome pet.

Special GTS Note: As you'll read in the interview, Sean is looking for ideas for staff photos to be added to Threadless Blank Tee Photo pool. The sky is the limit so please post your suggestions in this blog for Sean to review.

Thanks and now on with the show...

GTS: Welcome back to another kick ass installment of Gettin' The Skinny. Today's guest is Sean. What's happening, Sean?

Sean: Not much man, just listening to some maiden, editing photos

GTS: Any mention of Iron Maiden immediately conjures an image of Bill & Ted in my mind. We're off to a great start! Please tell the folks at home what you do at Threadless.

Sean: awesome, I love that movie. I am Threadless's photographer. I take all the photos for the website each week, etc.

GTS: If you had to pick a favorite, which Threadless staffer is your #1 tee model?

Sean: Wow, we're getting into dangerous territory here with the "favorite" thing! We've got lots of great models, but hands down it would have to be Lauren Nelson who unfortunately just moved to New York. She was the most cheerful, consistent, and willing participant ever, she will be missed. On the guys side, it has to be Craig Shimala if not solely for the fact that he'll do anything required, like taking a bowl of spaghetti to the dome, or standing outside in a tee in 20 degree weather until we get a good shot. He's also actually a bit of a method actor, and he sometimes prepares for the shoot by making all these crazy animal sounds.

GTS: What kind of set up do you go through for the shoots? Lighting? Hair? Make-up?

Sean: Well Charlie Festa is the only model that requires an extensive hair and makeup session before any big shoot. He's a real primadonna. One time he spit out his water into my camera and it started sparking. As far as lighting goes I'm a total strobist nerd. For most of our shots I use 1-3 off camera shoemount strobes triggered w/ pocket wizards, and various light modifiers like a beauty dish I made for $12 out of home depot stuff. I also have big monobloc lights that are way less portable. I typically use those for studio-ish shots, flat shots of tees, and things like that.

GTS: Any hints as to next week's (or beyond) awesome tees?

Sean: hmmm. Couldn't say! I'm currently digging the work of Alexmdc, dickfirestorm, and Julia a lot though. So hopefully something by one of them.

GTS: Alex is definitely killing it thus far in '09. How did you get started in photography?

Sean: Yeah, Alex is way dope. I got started in photography in highschool in like 1995 (yeah I'm old). I signed up for photo class cause I was a bad kid at the time, and I figured I could just screw around or ditch it all the time, but I ended up really getting into it and started shooting skating, my friends bands etc. Then I quit shooting until about 2.5 years ago. I bought a digi SLR and it was my job 2 months later, it still feels weird when I think about it.

GTS: Do you prefer one brand over another?

Sean: yeah I'm a canon advocate although I think Nikon is decent as well. I shoot with a canon 5D. It has a full-frame sensor and it just felt natural after coming from a film background

GTS: If you had the convenience of time and space, would shoot film or stick with digital?

Sean: Mostly digital because I'm really into instant gratification. Nothing looks like film though, it just has an organic quality that's pretty tough to replicate

GTS: We can expect some more blank tee/hoody shots for the Threadless Blank Tee Photo pool ?

Sean: For sure. We actually had a bunch of blank tees dissapear, so I was waiting on some new ones, but they finally got here, so expect some soon. Any requests?

GTS: The wackier, the better in my opinion. I'll leave this one open to the GTS readers. So keep an eye on the comments...

Sean: Absolutelty, hit me up!

GTS: I looked through your site, www.klickingandscreaming.com, and I love the shots from Tokyo. Can you talk about your experience there?

Sean: Thanks! I've been relatively obsessed w/ Japan since I was a little kid when I used to watch this show called "Spectre man". I moved out there for 1 year about 4 years ago to teach English and DJ, and had a totally ridiculous and life-changing time there. I had been wanting to go back and finally did about 2 months ago. All those photos on the site are the ones I shot within the 2 weeks I was there. It's funny because I actually kind of got back into photography for the express purpose of going back to Japan to shoot photos..that's how amazing I find that place.

GTS: Were you able to hit up some other cities besides Tokyo?

Sean: Yep, I stayed part of the time in Ageo which is in Saitama, went to Osaka and Kyoto as well.

GTS: How well do you speak Japanese?

Sean: eetooo ...Ore wa Nihongo ga chotto dekimasu. so so. That language is rough as hell for me. I've been studying on and off for like 3 years, I always forget how to write Kana. While I lived there though I had a really cool girlfriend that taught me some "street slang" so I got around ok.

GTS: Sounds like an amazing experience. Perhaps a Threadless class field trip is in order.

Sean: Yeah for sure! Lets go! I can show you guys all kinds of messed up shit! And cats! loaads of cats, everywhere! Do you like cats?

GTS: I more of a dog person but I'm always up for an international hootenanny

Sean: Well I could always take you to a mall where you can pet a fox for about $20 too, there's tons of options in that city.

GTS: Awesome! I've got some great questions from my fellow bloggers. Are you ready?

Sean: yeah!

GTS: DaddyDom asked: are you ever envious of people who spell their names "shawn" because in scrabble, they're names are worth 11 while yours is only worth 4?

Sean: Yes, but that's the only instance.

GTS: TheInfamousBaka wanted to know: If you had to choose between having a t-rex for a pet or a unicorn, which would you pick?

Sean: unicorn: waaay better for picking up chicks

GTS: Chipmnk asked: What's your favorite article of clothing that isn't a Threadless shirt/hoodie?

Sean: Probably this really sweet guns n' roses shirt I had when I was 9. It was a collage of all the band members, and Slash's t-shirt said "eat shit" on it. I would wear it to gym class at catholic school to be a rebel.

GTS: I bet the nuns loved you! Mya Jamila asked: What song always has the ability to make you want to dance?

Sean: NU Shoes- I can't wait

GTS: davidfromdallas wants to know: what are your top 5 favorite beers?

Sean: Chimay, guiness, harp, newcastle, Asahi extra dry

GTS: good picks! aycacha asked: If I'm correct, you've had the opportunity to travel lots. Where was your favorite adventure and why?

Sean: Definitely when I went back to Tokyo this last time. I travelled by myself, had no idea where I was gonna sleep most of the time, took pictures all day/night, got drunk, got lost, met tons of awesome people, hung out with lots of old friends, and saw all sorts of bizarre things. It was pretty much perfect.

GTS: Sean, it's time to play Pick One™. Are you ready?

Sean: for sure

GTS: #1 No Fun For Old Men: Adult Diapers or Dentures?

Sean: Diapers without a doubt. those are no fun for anyone

GTS: #2 Nice To Meet You: High Five or Hug?

Sean: high five

GTS: #3 Appetizing: Chicken Wings or Mozarella Sticks?

Sean: I became a real fan of chicken wings this year. All things considered though, I'd go w/ mozz. sticks even though I can't eat them any more cause I'm old now and I'll get to fat

GTS: #4 Hip Hop Accessories: Gold chains or four finger ring?

Sean: I'm going with gold chain though like a big dookey one, like Eric B. and Rakim- Paid in Full cover (google it kids, you won't be dissapointed)

GTS: #5 Strings Attached: Electric Guitar or Bass Guitar

Sean: Electric, prefferably shredded

GTS: #6 Bad to the Bone: Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris?

Sean: Bronson for sure. You'd never catch him doing any family-oriented movies like oh..."sidekicks" for instance. Too easy.

GTS: #7 Make Out Spot: Library or Movie Theater?

Sean: I'm going library cause I worked at a bookstore for a long time and I used to meet mad girls there.

GTS: #8 Picture Perfect: Black and white or full color?

Sean: Black and white for sure unless you NEED color like this photo I took of my friend cutting an orange in half in mid-air w/ a sword in my backyard:

GTS: awesome shot! #9 Top Wu-Tanger: Ghostface Killah or Method Man?

Sean: OH my god, hardest question ever but I'm going Ghostface because he made the first hiphop album (fishscale) I've fully appreciated in years. I got to ride on their tour bus last year actually, I met Meth and Rza, and got drunk w/ the bass player from system of a down, fun times!

GTS: #10 Valentine's Victory: Flowers or Chocolates?

Sean: I hope flowers, cause I think I'm sending some to a girl this year...

GTS: oh snap, play on player!

Sean: hahaha

GTS: Sean, it's sad to say this - our time is up.

Sean: Aww bummer!

GTS: But before I let you go, I've got two more questions. First, which Threadless staffer would you like me to interview next?

Sean: Bill (he's the guy who handles our money). He is also the proud owner of a Tuskan Raider costume that he constructed all on his own...

GTS: And lastly, please share any pearls of wisdom with the GTS readers...

Sean: Always be nice to your mom. Even when it's not easy.