The say everything is bigger in Texas and big certainly describes the impact upon first seeing shots of Austin's Hunter Steel Cherry. When choosing models to profile on FH, I look for that certain something, something that although you may not be able to describe it, is distinctively clear.
There is a obvious strength within Hunter, it is both raw and deep and exudes from his hazel eyes both beautifully and intensely and through his core. A veteran of the Afghanistan war, Hunter, like most who serve, has a plethora of experiences and has had to face more challenges, and fears that most men still in their twenties.
Despite the courage required to face a war, it was a different type of fear Hunter had to overcome to kick start his modeling. Hunter says it was not until earlier this year that he gathered the courage to begin. Picked up by an agency early into his modeling, Hunter has decided to go out on his own, without the limitations of being signed. He is determined and ready to make it big in the modeling world.
Hunter Steel Cherry On ModelMayhem
MANOFAUSTIN:
Hunter Steel Cherry by Patrick Mark
Someone else who saw that certain something in Hunter was photographer Patrick Mark from Texas Male Photography, who chose Hunter for the cover of the second issue of MANofAUSTIN.
'I enjoy creating images that take you to an intimate place with the model - the attraction that happens when you are near him and simply 'be.'
Patrick Mark
It was not that long ago, in 2006, when Mark picked up a small digital camera and kicked off a hobby that has since become a passion and career. Patrick currently has an impressive portfolio filled with photo layouts for private clients, Texas clothing stores and statewide club magazines. Patrick's work was also featured in 2010's Boyfriend of The Month Calendar. Patrick was chosen by 10Percent, the country’s largest producer of alternative print products to shoot the project.
Currently the focus of much of Patrick's time is working as editor and feature photographer for Man of Austin. The quarterly ezine highlights both the men Patrick photographs and as well provides an opportunity for the work of Texas-based male models and photographers to gain greater exposure.
When you live in Austin, you constantly see beautiful men walking throughout the city. I wanted to capture that experience in a shoot and I thought Hunter was the perfect guy for this layout. We met at one end of South Congress - one of the most colorful and well-known neighborhood in the city. I simply asked him to wander, look around and I started shooting but that was just part of it.
Here in Texas we are living in one of the worst droughts in history. This summer was filled with day after day of heat in the 100s - so the heat had to play a part in this shoot. I wanted to show what a hot guy on the street was willing to do on really hot day. As we walked down the street, I had Hunter take his shirt off - the sweat beading on his body was all real - no water bottle needed today! Needless to say quite a few heads turned but the fun was just beginning. Once we stopped in front of the iconic Austin Motel sign, the hotel's clerk did come out to see what we were up to but she never said anything - maybe she just wanted to watch, lol.
We had parked on the roof of a 4-story garage off the strip where I had Hunter change into a pair of swimming trunks. As soon as he slipped them on, he spontaneously ran for a concrete column at the edge of the roof and hopped on top for what would become the cover shot. It was his idea entirely - I leaned over the railing to get his feet dangling over the side of the building.
Reactions to the shots has been extremely positive and for many, the shots at the car wash are favorites.
'Because Hunter had just signed with an agency he could no longer do nude shoots so I had to come up with a way to play off his sex appeal without stripping him down - entirely. That's where the car wash came in. I parked my car in a small do-it-yourself car wash but turned the car to help block what we were doing.'
'A few minutes after we started shooting, the car wash attendant - an older man in a uniform - came out - Here I am with a near-naked 6 foot guy with tattoos in tiny black underwear in broad daylight! I though he was going to toss us out but he just asked if we planned to put money in the car wash. I assured him we were definitely going to use the water, showed him our tokens and he kindly left us to shoot. It was great!'
'The light coming into the bay was perfect and played off Hunter's body beautifully - as you can see in the photos. My only regret was not using more of it instead of a reflector I had on one end of the bay (that was held by my real-life partner Don.) Hunter was a dream to work with and don't let the intensity of his look fool you. He loves to laugh and smile - so much so that I had to constantly remind him to not smile. Of course, once we hit the car wash, the smile was gone and it was all sensuality. What showed up in the layout is probably just one-third of what I shot of him. The love shots I selected because of their sense of reality which I always look for in my work.'
