'I believe that we photographers have a rare gift to see beyond the surface to reveal the true underlying wonder that is all around us. Whether it is a breathtaking landscape, a perfect architectural detail, or an exquisite human body, I strive to show it in all its glory and depth.'
It remains endlessly fascinating to me, to explore what motivations make up the creation of a shoot or single image. Whatever we see in any image is made from the combination of three factors. For some photographers, and for some shoots, the photographer has a specific goal or theme in mind that the model is hired to portray. In other cases, the photographer has seen, or experienced something specific about the model they are shooting, a characteristic or quality they try to bring out and capture.
I always wonder when seeing an image that I like, which perspective they were shot from. Ultimately, both have the ability unveil both truths and lies depending on the shooting and editing process but I love when an artist is able to zoom in on a quality that resonates through each and every images of the model in front of their lens. This certainly rang true for me after discovering these images of Jimmie Slater from photographer Greg Lindeblom. Greg has been shooting and exhibiting work for over 20 years. His artwork has been on exhibit in New York, Boston, Seattle, Nashville, Detroit, and throughout south Florida
With all of Greg's skill and experience, when I saw my first image of Jimmie, the first adjective that came to mind was adorable. Corny I know, and maybe not a word normally associated with a great image, but I would argue that. Through Greg's lens and perspective, Jimmie conveys an refreshingly unassuming quality. Sweet, playful and just a little bit naughty. The combination of his fit, tight body along with his engaging, and slightly devilish smile, weaved together for captivating, and incredibly sexy images.
When I first contacted Greg about featuring his work with Jimmie, I sort of assumed from the images he was new to modeling. Not because I detected inexperience, but because he came across so unaffected and natural in front of the camera. When Greg wrote back that Jimmi might be familiar due to work on a variety of adult sites and movies, I was a bit surprised, but of course immediately googled.
When seeing Jimmie's other images, I was reminded instantly of Greg's quote from a previous feature about his work on the blog. The quote at the beginning of this feature came from that piece from 2011 Freezing Movement. Greg's words about seeing beyond the surface and revealing true underlying wonders resonated as I viewed Jimmie's adult site images, contrasted with the images from his work with Greg. Greg's words about the shoot, only reinforced the differences motivation and intent can bring forth.
'Jimmie is a really sweet young man, who has recently relocated from North Carolina to south Florida. We shot this past July, not long after he moved here. Jimmie is a handsome guy and it was a real pleasure working with him. His smile is infectious and beguiling. We were having so much fun on the shoot that he just kept smiling even when we put him in chains.'
I couldn't help but smile myself when reading Greg's description of Jimmie smiling all the way through the bondage themed images. The quality Greg tapped into seems such a core part of who Jimmie is as a person, a trait however which may have required covering or masking in his porn work. Most adult sites don't necessarily promote and capture 'sweet' and smiling is usually discouraged in favor of lusty animalistic glares. I loved Greg's work with Jimmi from the beginning, but appreciated it even more after the research and seeing other sides of him that have been captured.
You can check out more of Greg's work on ModelMayhem HERE:
You can also preview Greg's imagery within his books, Prime Time, Masculine Beauty, and Stopping Time, All are available via Blurb HERE:
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