Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Side of the Road: Ash Marquez by Mark Leighton


'I first shot Ash Marquez in June 2015. He had just started modeling and although by no means shy, he vastly underestimated his looks and the impact his images could have on people.'


Mark's images of 23 year old model Ash Marquez certainly had an impact on me. From the first moment I saw their work together, I was eager to put together a feature for FH. I am clearly not alone, as Ash is one of the sites's most searched models. The blue eyed blonde UK model has a tight athletic build and seemly boundless energy that leaps off the pages of The Journey, Mark's photo book devoted to his work with Ash.


When I profiled Mark's book earlier this year, I of course had to put in a great deal of time and research to showcase some of my favorite images. Two of my favorite sections in The Journey feature Ash on an isolated country road. In one section he is just wearing only a pair of jeans, which of course come off, leaving Ash on the road wearing nothing at all.


I especially loved this set, with Ash in his ripped jeans shorts, alone with his knapsack. Ash looks like a student traveling, lowering his jean shorts, maybe to help ensure he gets a ride. When I told Mark I liked the shots from this set, he kindly edited more from the series for me to feature.


I love the story that Mark begins, a story with an ending, left to the viewers imagination. Why is Ash on that road wearing next to nothing? Where is he going and does he ever end up there. Does he get picked up, and if so, by who? Or...maybe Ash isn't looking for a ride, maybe he already had one and the images are just after he was dropped off... You can see more (all) of Mark's stories about Ash in The Journey HERE:





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