Every path has a beginning, and I'm always curious about how the artists' that feature got started shooting the nude male form. Some long tie FH readers may remember that back in 2017 I started a theme entitled, 'First Crack At It.' I asked several of the photographers that I worked with, to share stories of their first time shooting a fully nude model. When I was putting together this piece on Michal's work with Brook, I asked about his first nude shoot.
For Michal, it was back in 1985, and the first person he shot wasn't a model, but friend, and a co-worker. So many photographers that I feature started out shooting a friend or acquaintances. It makes a lot of sense when you're just starting out, to shoot someone you both know and trust. This goes for the person both in front of, and behind the lens. Whenever we start something new, there are often nerves and kinks to work out. This is especially true when that something new, involves someone in the nude.
Michal shares that he was indeed very nervous that first time. Although the shoot didn't require much planning, Michal shares it did require.... a little convincing. Michal's co-worker didn't immediately jump at the idea of stripping off his clothes while his friend took pictures.
Given that both model and photographer were very nervous, Michal struggled when it came time to tell his friend, that he was ready for him to remove his clothes. It was probably a good thing that they both were nervous and were taking the risks, together. In the end, the pants did come off, and the pictures were taken. Thanks to his friend, Michal's journey as a photographer of the male form was officially under way.
Michal's work with Brook took place many years after that first shoot with is friend. It was however, near the beginning of Brook's modeling career. This wasn't the first time Brook had posed nude, it was in fact his work with another photographer that brought he and Michal creatively together. Michal contacted Brook after seeing his work with a photographer Michal really admired. (sgriob on Model Mayhem).
When Michal contacted Brook, he learned that Brook would soon be visiting the Dallas area near where Michal lived. Although he didn't have access to a car, Brook did have a friend who drove and dropped him off in front of Dillard's at a mall in North Dallas. It was there he and Michal arranged to first meet up.
'When I picked him up, he had a big "mop of hair" that I thought was not so flattering in some of the images. After we took some shots I asked him to wet his hair and comb it back. His "look" was immediately and completely different and his brown eyes really became a focus.'
I really love that Michal captured Brook with both looks. I kind of like Brook's mop of brown hair, but I can fully understand Michal's wanting to capture a different side of the young model. With his hair slicked back, Brook looks a little older and more sophisticated. In addition, not only does it help spotlight those beautiful brown eyes, but also brings out and highlights his nose, moth and facial structure. The subtle change also resulted in bringing out another shades of Brook's character and personality.
