It officially began last summer. FH has always been about the stories behind the images, but I have usually done it through words. Then last year a few things occurred. Robert J Guttke sent on a few images, out-takes he could not use because one of his cats had decided to beautifully enter frame, rubbing up against the naked male model being shot. It became a favorite image of mine. Then, last summer when putting together my piece of New Manhattan Studio's work with Victor, a theme began to emerge. Included in the images Wes sent on of Victor, there were also various shots of model Alex Corso who was the stylist and production assistant on the shoot. .
Alex's assistance became a theme as he helped out greatly with my feature on his hunk younger brother Ricardo's FH debut in September. I even weaved, I think for the first time, a few of these 'behind the scenes' images within the story. The theme was set! In that same month, I used behind the scenes stories and images as my way of telling the story in the multi-part series Utah or Bust, the tale of 3 models, and four photographers (Gordon Nebeker, Tom Clark, Mike Tossy and Mark Grantham) on their shooting adventure last summer.
With my Halloween Bond extravaganza, I stopped weaving in these behind the scene shots, and created a second post to spotlight those specific photos. For someone like me, someone who wants to know more about process, more about what the experience was like and how a great photo comes together these images hold a particular fascination. In Wes's October shoot, Alex's assistance was especially crucial when issues with Wes's camera led to his images of Bond being unusable. Thankfully Alex was also shooting away and some of the images used came from him.
So, as I did with the Halloween piece, I again am including a second post featuring images of how the images in the first post came together. Behind The Scenes has become my theme for 2015, and I am asking most of the artists I profile for bts images if they have them. Not every artist, nor every model, is as keen about sharing as Wes has been. I think process is one of those things some like to share while others prefer it remain a mystery. I am grateful to Wes for sharing so much of his work with FH, especially on Halloween, and now Valentines. Could we dare hope for Bunny Bond on Easter... time will tell.
'By the time this session took place, I had become very comfortable around Wes and Alex and quite comfortable with myself too.'
'Last year around this time, I came into Wes's studio for the first time and was a little low and down. I was struggling trying to support myself in New York and was overwhelmed with the pressure of finding a career that suited me. I would be lying if I said that the sessions with Wes did not give me the self-confidence I needed to make some life changing decisions. Anyone with the great fortune to work with these guys will be able to tell that there is truly something special about them. They are a fantastic artists and wonderful people.'
'After shooting two previous “final photos” to cap his New York modeling career (including one outdoor shot with New York City’s night time skyline behind him), we ended the third session on a sentimental note. After a year of working in front of and around the cameras together, Bond and Alex, the studio’s assistant and second photographer, had become good friends. “For the studio, for the boys,” Bob and Alex put on matching underwear and stepped onto the paper together. Bob’s last shot in New York wasn't posed in front of the skyline; it was standing next to his friend Alex.'
'I have worked with quite a few models now, but Bond is special, a unique one, always cheerful and willing to try whatever it takes for a great shot. My gaydar was broken apparently though. I thought, hoped... he might be gay, because he was so comfortable and open. It's his eyes that seduce you, he has great thighs and is very masculine but his eyes... they make you feel safe, relaxed, in love. I don't know how to explain it but as I told Bond, if he ever decides to switch sides, I would jump on that immediately.'
You explained it perfectly Alex, I think we all know what you mean ;)
To see more of Bond, head on over to see all of Wes's work with Bond at New Manhattan Studios HERE: Be sure to also check out Wes's video presentation with even more images, many behind the scenes with Bond.
If you want to see even more of Bond, much more than you're seeing here on FH, check out Bond's gallery on Bond's NMS Fine Art Page for even more photos not published on-line!
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