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Saturday, June 16, 2018
Fake & Blake
When Billy's (Blake Jenner) friend is found dead, his world is forever changed. He tries to move on from his past, falling in love with Jennifer (Melissa Benoit) but feelings of anger and grief cripple him and put his future in jeopardy.
I have crushed over actor and singer Blake Jenner since first seeing him on The Glee Project. Jenner's post Glee career has been an impressive one to follow. I am sure the 25 year old actor could have gotten by on his smile and his looks, with a string of romantic comedies, but Jenner clearly wants more.
Jenner puts in an impressive performance in the newly released Billy Boy. Jenner not only stars in the film, he also wrote the screen play. Jenner's credit as a writer makes his frontal nude scene a head scratcher. I can understand why an actor may not want to show the Full Monty, but then why write it into the script? Jenner's side frontal is a prosthetic, although a well endowed one, it is not an appendage actually attached to Jenner.
Jenner does have a couple of butt scenes (which appear to be him from the edits of the scenes), but the frontal is not. I would love to know why they chose to add it in, especially given actor Grant Harvey does have a frontal in the film, which is clearly Grant. Despite the pretend penis, Jenner still looks good, and I believe it's his first butt shot on film, so still wanted to share. The nudity is good, the movie is better.
Artistic Associations: Mykee by Jay Alan Rickard
'Mykee isn't shy and has a ton of personality!'
In any profession, there are givers and takers. We have all worked with people who see every situation as a way to take credit or advance their own agenda and career. We have also thankfully, all worked with people who not only support, but nurture and promote those around them. Indianapolis photographer Jay Alan Rickard from JAR Visual Arts is without question a nurturer.
In addition to his artistic finesse, Jay has an eye for detail and a goal to utilize his skills create breath taking images. Each time I feature Jay's imagery, (see Jay's Quaternate post HERE:) I am always struck by his creativity but equally, his desire to shine the spotlight on the person in front of his lens. It was no surprise then, that when I got in touch with featuring Jay's work with Mykee, his goal was to have others shine.
Jay enjoyed working with Mykee and loved that his modeling work was getting some well earned attention. In addition to Mykee, Jay also wanted someone else to shine, another photographer involved in the shoot, Jay's friend and frequent accomplice, Jake Weiger of LBL Artistic Photography. Jay wasn't sure we needed to include his work with Mykee, but I persuaded him to send on a few. I loved Mykee's look, and wanted to include as many looks and shots as possible! To see in what direction Jay turned the spotlight, check out the two pieces below.
A Frequent Accomplice: Jake by Jay Alan Rickard
'At the age of 36 was offered a chance to model for a local photographer. After that experience and a few more modeling sessions I found that I was very much interested and had a passion to begin learning and practicing photography myself.'
Now before we check out Jake's work with Mykee, I thought it would be a good idea to check out more of Jake.... Jake actually met Jay Alan Rickard when he modeled for him several years ago. Jake was actually the model in the photo that was used for Jay's cover story in BeautifulMag back in 2011. The images and story, The End of Innocence, focus Jay's love of vintage images.
Since shooting Jay as a model in front of the camera, Jake and Jay now shoot together frequently behind it Jay shares that the shoot with Mykee was actually Jake's shoot, as it was Jake who reached out to MyKee to set up and organize the shoot, Jay says he literally just showed up on the scheduled day with his camera.
As a writer, I am always interested in what happens both in front of, and behind the camera and it's always fascinating to get a visual of the person who's images I'm featuring. There is often a symmetry between viewer and vision, and Jake's physical appearance and aura match the strength and sensual edge I see within his images of Mykee.
Who He Is: MykeeD by LBL Artistic Photography
'After a long and rough past I feel it's time to not only transform how I look but who I am.'
Who I am is a question we all ask ourselves at one time or another, Who he is, is a question I ask every time I feature a model or artist. Who Mykee is a someone both Jake and Jay had on their radar for awhile... Jay had seen Mykee at a Pride last summer, but only from a distance. Jay recognized Mykee from his Instagram. Jay remembers the Indianapolis model had been really going hard in an Andrew Christian contest, which of course led to Jay casting a vote his way. Jay thought a shoot would be fun, but after seeing Mykee at Pride, was even more convinced they needed to collaborate!
'It was shortly after Pride that I discussed this with Jake. Jake not only had been thinking the same thing, he'd actually taken the step to reach out to Michael already. Nothing happened right away, but then this past December the lease was coming to an end at the creative space Jake and I had been working at which caused us to consider some bucket list shoots to do before time was up. Clearly Mykee came to mind. Jake reached out to him again and this time all the pieces fell into place. He ended up being our very last shoot in that studio and it was an awesome way to go out on and end a great year!'
There is something intriguing, almost hypnotizing about Mykee. It's in his smile, it's in his body and body art, it's in his eyes. Jake beautifully captured this quality with images and had me curious to learn more about the man and the sources of his energy and sexual expression. Thankfully, Mykee was on board to answer a few questions and share a bit more about his shoot with Jake and Jay, getting nekkid for the camera, what triggers his photographic seductions and a little bit more about who he is.
When did you first realize you had a look/body that others were attracted to?
Shortly after I was 18, when I started working for a Male Review.
Who or what had you decide to give modeling a try?
After a life changing choice to get drug free and turn my life around I decided that I wanted to get fit and show people that I'm not the old drug addict/convict. That beautiful flowers do grow in the dark and that anything is possible if you have the right support team in place and with friends and family that care for your well being and support you every step of the way.
You're pretty much naked in this shoot, but left a little to viewers imagination. What factors go into your decision on how much to expose?
Well a big factor was giving my partner at the time the respect he deserves and I asked him what limits are okay with him. Also I've always been a fan of being that tease to where you have to leave that little bit for the imagination to keep them interested.
Would you go full frontal for the right offer?
Would I yes.
What has been your favorite experience modeling thus far?
Working with Andrew Christian during his book release tour.
If they know, what has been your families reaction to your modeling shots?
My brothers are over seeing my half naked shots on Instagram but my family is very supportive and is very encouraging.
What can you share about your tats?
My first on was the one on my left pec which says G8R, it's a memorial tattoo of my Older brothers nick name. Which has the most meaning to me. The tattoo on my back means the people, Navajo spelt Dinè My most recent is the one on my hands.
Why do you think you like modeling?
I've been through a lot in my life and some of it I'm not proud of but none of it would I ask to reduce any differently. Thru life your body acquires scares physically, emotionally and mentally. This is a way to say to myself I'm stronger then that and to show off to others to say I've done that and bounced back. Not to brag but to show others that they can too
Many models can 'appear' sexy, but you seem sexually energized in so many of your shots, where does this confidence come from?
Put an image in your head of someone really meaningful to you and just think dirty thoughts.
The wardrobe your wearing, the leather, mesh and zippers. Was it yours, or was it picked out for the shoot?
It was all mine, I've collected many different outfits over the years and enjoy the texture of them and the way they make me feel sexy.
Tell me about this shoot, were there discussions about theme and concept or was it sort of 'go with the flow'?
It really was a "go with the flow" kinda concept. But I'm ocd when it comes to What I wear and how it matches.
Were there any differences being shot mostly naked with not 1, but 2 photographers?
No actually it was a lot more fun had so many laughs.
Did Jay or Jake request any poses or themes that were too much your?
No, the guys were great and very friendly. I couldn't of been happier with how we all 3 worked together.
Do you use your looks for good, or for bad purposes?
Only for good! What gay super hero who I be to used these looks for bad purposes... haha
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