Once again, I am putting off doing any work for my graduate courses.  Don't get me wrong, I actually like both of the courses that I'm taking this semester, but I would rather be working on something related to photography.  So for now, that's going to be writing a blog entry about another one of my past photography sessions. 

As I mentioned before, I was working with a photography meet-up group here in Austin to get some practice working with male models and becoming more comfortable in a studio set-up.  By the time that February rolled around, I had already done two photo shoots.  Both of them were pretty cool and the models were awesome to work with.  So it made sense for me to continue participating in the meet-up group activities, including the first shoot in February.

I think I tend to like the simple images the best.  The image below definitely shows off one of Toner91's assets.  Yeah, I had to make that joke.  Yeah, I'm a little on the corny side, but deal with it.  Anyway, I like the image for the simplicity of how Toner91 modeling an Andrew Christian jockstrap.  I definitely love the pose with the arm leading the viewer to Toner91's face.  But I also love the slight turn of his hips to show his narrow waist and leading down to his ass.  The framing done by his other arm helps to accentuate the view as well as mimicking the stance of his leg.  In addition to that, his direct confident gaze at the viewer adds another element to the image.  Like I said, there are times when everything lines up and creates an awesome image in my eye.  This one is definitely one of those images that I stop and look it when I'm scrolling through my catalog. 

Toner91 - #014Toner91 #014
Reyj Photography
Austin, Texas

The photo shoot, Architecture and the Male Model, was definitely one of my favorite photo shoots with the meet-up group.  Then again, I found something interesting and unique from each photo shoot that I've participating in.  It definitely helps that Toner91 had an easy going personality and was fun to work with.  There were times during the shoot when he didn't know what pose to get into and would do a little jig will laughing.  It's little things like that that definitely made the photo shoot fun. 

I'm definitely hoping to work with Toner91 again in the future.  Yes, he has an great body, but he's also got an amazing and personable attitude that definitely puts people at ease.  I would definitely recommend working with him if you get a chance.  His Model Mayhem page is at http://www.modelmayhem.com/2475263. 

Well, I decided that I needed a break from working on cases studies for my class and thought I would do a quick blog entry.  Earlier this, or potentially late last week, I posted a series of images from my second photo shoot back in January 2012.  Back them I was working with a photography Meet-up group since I was still learning about studio lighting and working with models in general.  The photo shoot was titled "Modelli Mashchini Nudi in Maschera", which I figured translated into masculine nude male models in masks.  It definitely seemed like an interesting photo shoot, but I was probably attending all of the Meet-up activities that I could afford. 

In preparation for the photo shoot, I went and purchased a couple of interesting looking masks from Costume World (http://www.costumeworld.com/) on Burnet World here in Austin.  That's actually a pretty dangerous store for me since I like costumes and props.  You can rent some of the items there and they have a wide selection of costumes.  Plus, they have a pretty good selection of masks there as well.  It's definitely one of those stores that I hit before and after Halloween as I'm looking for interesting to photograph models in or for something to be used as a prop.  Anyway, before the shoot, I ended up purchasing this gorgeous black and gold mask with Venetian swirls and music sheets.  When I first saw it, I knew that I would have to purchase it.  As such, I knew that I was definitely going to use it during the photo shoot. 

Dave was the model for the photo shoot and did an awesome job.  He's done several photo shoots for the Meet-Up group and was definitely easy to work with throughout the shoot.  It does help that Dave is classically handsome with strong facial features and a muscular body gained from hours of working out.  But what is really amazing is his good attitude and professionalism when it comes to photo shoots.  Plus, he knew what poses to get into in order to show off his amazing body in the best light. 

The image below is one of my favorite images from the start of the shoot.  Like I said, Dave needed very little direction from me, which was definitely a bonus.  Additionally, Dave definitely looked great as he just modeled a pair of plain white Calvin Klein briefs, but it definitely helps that he fills them out nicely.  However, it's the pose and the placement of his arms that definitely draw my attention before being lead to his gorgeous eyes.  The scruff definitely increases his sexual appeal. 

Dave Brett 03Reyj Photography Dave Brett 03

The second image from the set that I ended up liking was the image below.  This was definitely my first dive into the use of props, especially one as interesting as a broken umbrella.  I have another photographer to thank for that suggestion.  It definitely help to lend an air of surrealism (?) to the image.  It definitely helps to tie in the demon red, long-nosed mask and the black wrap into a somewhat cohesive image.  It's amazing how a single prop can change the overall feel of an image and turn it into one of my favorites. 

Dave Brett 13Reyj Photography Dave Brett 13

Overall, I think the photo shoot with the Meet-up group turned out really well.  I got some amazing images with Dave and used some interesting and unique props during the photo shoot.  Working with Dave gave me further insight to working with male models and may have spoiled me by knowing which poses to get into to highlight his body in the best light.  Of course, his professionalism and gorgeous classical looks definitely helped to make the photo shoot a success.  It wasn't the last time that I worked with Dave and I have plans to eventually work with him in the near future. 

Dave has a Model Mayhem page (http://www.modelmayhem.com/1332923).  If you are ever looking to working with professional model, definitely think about working with Dave.  He's simply amazing. 

In January 2012, I joined a Meet-Up group focusing on photographing male models.  The subject matter definitely drew my interested, but it was a good way to actually practice the skills I learned during my first semester at ACC.  It was definitely interesting since I was a novice and felt overwhelmed by the thought of working with models.  I attended my first photo shoot with the group with some trepidation, but excited about the prospect of working with seasoned photographers and a somewhat experienced model.  The good thing is that the first model had worked with the group before and felt at ease with the other photographers in the group. 

I was definitely drawn in by Kai's demeanor and personality.  Yes, he was definitely attractive and had those gorgeous boy next door looks, but it was definitely his personality that won me over during the session.  As I said, I was nervous throughout the shoot, but Kai's easy going and laid-back attitude helped calm my nerves throughout the shoot.  Sure, it was my first shoot working with an actual model, but some of the images that I got with Kai have become some of my favorite images. 

Kai #17 shows the feature that I've found myself drawn to quite often.  He has these intense blue eyes that always catch my attention.  However, I'm a fan of black and white images and often find myself working in that color space.  However, it caught me by surprise how intense Kai's blue eyes look in black and white images.  When I'm scrolling through images and move between a color image and its black and white equivalent, I am always surprise by his eyes.  And each time, I find myself stopping at the image and studying it again to find what I love about the image.  And each time, I end up at his eyes. 

Kai 17Kai staring off in the distance.

The theme of the photo shoot was photographing the Athletic Male.  When I was in high school, the jocks always were popular and had everyone's attention and affection.  I definitely lusted after several of the jocks in my class and had a secret thrill whenever I had gym class.  Of course, I was also terrified at the same time of being found out.  However, my terror could not stop me from sending subtle, and probably not really all that subtle, glances at the jocks around me in various states of undress.  Of course, not many of them wore jockstraps in gym class.  Nonetheless, I have always made the connection between jocks and jockstraps.  As such, I definitely planned on photographing the model wearing a jockstrap.

Kai definitely fits the description as demonstrated by his physique.  However, for me, the athletic male was always defined by his attire, namely the jockstrap.  Kai definitely filled out his jockstrap very well and it lent to the erotic feeling of the photo shoot's theme.  As I said, since high school, the athletic male has always had a muscular physique and been sexualized by the jockstrap.  And I, following in the shutter clicks of many before me, photographed a gorgeous male model wearing nothing but a jockstrap.  Kai definitely did not disappoint as he pulled on the jockstrap and began following my instructions and getting into various poses that highlighted his muscular physique. 

Kai 21Kai posing in a jockstrap.

However, again, I was caught off guard by one of the images that I took for Kai.  The image below shows Kai wearing a jockstrap and a white tank top.  The pose definitely shows off the muscles in his arms and his chest/back as well as his trim waist.  The image definitely has a sense of sexuality in it, but at the same time there is a sense of vulnerability within the expression.  I may have taken this image when he was caught unaware or I may have directed him into the pose - the details escape me since the shoot happened over two years ago, but I know that the image is one of my favorites because of that perceived vulnerability. 

Kai 10Kai posing in a white tank top and white jockstrap.

The other image that I have come to love from this series has been a recent fine.  I was looking through the images a couple of months ago and stumbled across the image below.  I originally worked the image, but didn't do anything further with it.  However, looking at the image again, I had the urge to edit the image a little further since there was something that was catching my eye.  Actually, it was Kai's eye that had caught mine again.  I wasn't fully impressed with the full color image, but there was something missing when I converted to black and white.  However, I found my happy median when I did a slight desaturated color wash on the image.  Once I did that, I found that the image popped.  Furthermore, it has been one of the images from the series that has become one of my favorites. 

Kai 20Kai sneaking a peek.

When all was said and done, I think that my first real photo shoot was a success.  As you can see from the gallery focus on Kai, I had several images that I deemed as a success.  There have been several images from the shoot that have become my favorite images and have been highlighted in this blog entry.  Furthermore, I have worked with Kai on another occasion and have plans to work with him again this year.  In the near future, I'll be submitting images from the last photo shoot with Kai and highlight those images that have become my favorite from that photo shoot.