'Two things I learned from the Easter Bunny: Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day, and some body parts are meant to be floppy.'
I started the holiday weekend by featuring
Lights On Studio's images of model
Hansel Wellington on Good Friday. (
HERE:) In the second part of the series, photographer Tom Nakielski continues with the Easter Theme with this set of images partnering Hansel with Chester the bunny. It is always a risk pairing two models together, but in this case, Tom did an incredible job pairing the scruff with the fluff for this Easter themed shoot.
As most of you know, the studly Hansel Wellington is an experienced model having worked with some of the best chroniclers of the male form. Chester on the other hand, is new to modeling and had never been professionally photographed before, especially buck naked. Chester has always been a rabbit who likes to follow his own path. He is well aware taking on the role of the Easter Bunny is something most in his colony would frown upon, but Chester's says he's used to being a rebel rabbit.
"I can't stand carrots and I hate hip hop, something I had to get used to being bullied about.' Despite his initial hesitations says the experience, and the temperature, was incredibly hot!
'I have been doing some life modeling for artists, photographers and students and was very excited to work with Tom again especially for this project. He is very easy going and fun. I really like being warm and Tom had like seriously 8 heaters on in his studio so I probably sent his electrical bill into the roof. But I think it was worth it for the photos. I'll be glad when it will be warm enough to do some more outdoor photo-shoots, and you can probably guess what kind!'
Chester was excited about working with Hansel, not to mention that any excuse to be out of his cage for awhile, was worth a little embarrassment and exposing his cotton tail. He was clear with Tom however, that he wouldn't be doing frontal, no mater how much hay he promised. Chester says that working with Hansel, as well as Hansel's ease with posing nude, helped calm his nerves and that his shaking decreased as the shoot went on. Chester did tell me in confidence that he was a little miffed that he felt did most of the heavy lifting during the shoot. According to Chester, Tom directed Hansel to stand and to lay on the floor, but directed him to be the one taking most of the risks including being perched high atop a table. Chester did say that Hansel was always close by, ensuring he didn't fall off.
'
Chester was very well behaved although I thought he would jump off the table a few times, but I made sure he didn't take a leap of faith or anything! '
One of Chester's favorite parts of the shoot was when Tom asked him to pose atop Hansel's beautiful backside. Chester describes Hansel's heinie as both rock hard and incredibly smooth. The pose and position however, did have the new model fighting the urge to burrow down into the rabbit hole. In the end, Chester remained professional, hitting his marks and working Hansel to ensure Tom what got what he wanted. Chester did so well in fact, Tom says it was one of his quickest shoots ever.
'This was the shortest session I ever had with a model. We did the session in an hour. Usually, a session takes 3 to 5 hours. I tend to want to get lots of different shots and different backgrounds and lighting and once started I don't want to stop. This time, I had a purpose and told Hansel and Chester it would be a quick session and kept with the one theme.'