Every early January, I contemplate doing a best of, or favorite piece featuring images, models and artists from the previous year. Every late January, I abandon the idea. First off, I hate the thought of anyone feeling left out, or wondering why their images weren't included. In addition, given the F in FH is for favorite, all of the images I feature are favorites, most I sought out directly from the artist or model to feature on the site.
This year however, I decided to move forward, not with the 'best' images and not with my favorites. I decided to focus on Photos that Pop, images that stood out, or grabbed me for one reason or another. With this as my guide, many of my favorites images and stories, didn't even make the cut. Still, it was hard to narrow down. My initial list from last year had over 60 images in it, my goal was to narrow to as close to 12 as I could.
My criteria was simple, I wanted an image that stood out to me in some way. An image I remembered and one that popped with a specific power, energy or story. Here are my picks. I'm sure many of you have some others that grabbed your attention, were maybe saved on your desktops in a folder, and maybe for awhile, held that coveted spot as your screensaver.
Eruptive Exertion by Gordon Nebeker
The sexual energy flowing between Yorgen and Jay during their work out was hot! So hot in fact, Instagram made it difficult for Gordon Nebeker to share the entire series. Instagram's loss was FH's gain. The eye contact between the two models was intense, and one of the reason the series, the image above especially, was so powerful to me.
Hide & Hair by Bob Burkhardt
In Hide & Hair, I loved the focus of photographer Bob Burkhardt;s images of model O.J Simmons. Far too few images focus on the inviting allure of a beautiful patch of pubic hair.
That Extra Kick by Palm Springs Men
Sure, I love a great butt shot, that's not a surprise to regular FH readers, but the shot of Mark Summers above had that extra special something... Might be those knee high socks, a staple of my teen years, but whatever it is, the shot from Palm Springs Men remained my screen saver for a long while...
Provincetown Light by Anthony Timiraos
Yes, their bodies are often strong and muscular, but it's the lines, and especially the curves the male form can create that draws my eye, and my attention. Photographer Anthony Timiraos beautifully captures those curves as he did with Tanner, one of the shots of Anthony's that really stood out for me last year.
Under the Illusion by Greg Tsontakis-Mally
In addition to images, stories are at the core of FH. Many of the stories are created, stories from the imagination of the artists and models that create them. Some stories, like the one above of Mr. Davis captured by Greg Tsontakis-Mally, is painfully, very real.
BedRock: Trent by The Third Eye
I always look for artists who see beyond the surface and seek to capture the essence of the man in front of their lens. The Third Eye's Rick goes deep and dark, never content with capturing just what's on the surface. Rick looks for the beauty below, the good, the bad and the ugly, the scabs and the wounds that make us human and make the photographing the male form far more than just a collection of body parts.
Witchful Thinking by Studio1x
FH readers know how much I love holiday imagery, especially Halloween. Most are aware of the erotic witch hunt I've been on the last two year. Studio1x brought the hunt to a close (at least for 2018) with not one, but two witches! Holden above, (Witchful Thinking) and also Ethan. (The Witch in the Window)
Chester, sitting atop Hansel Wellington's beautiful backside was a visual highlight from this years Easter themed posts from Tom Nakielski from Lights On Studio. Tom has been creating holiday themed images for FH for a few years now, and loved that he went out and borrowed a bunny for the afternoon shoot!
Bright-Eyed & Bushy-Tailed
Autumn's End by JW Johnson
I love the colors of Autumn, and I especially love when they're blended with the beauty of the male form. One of the images that stood out most to me was the beautiful shot of Ryan above from JW Johnson. Beautifully blooming, almost as if ascending from the colorful fall leaves.
Zackary: Erotic Elongation by Cooks Photography
I was fortunate to feature several models and shoots from Cooks Photography over the last few months, including today's piece with Yoni Baker. If you check out the pieces, (HERE:) you might be as taken as I was with the incredible long body lines Cooks Photography so beautifully captures.
Chris Bell: Energy Equivalency
Richard Rothstein is one of my favorite artists to feature, and am thankful I have been able to feature so much of his incredible work this past year. There were two images that really popped for me, the first, the combustive energy captured forever within the shot of Chris Bell. (Above).
I have loved all of Richard's shoots challenging the heteronormative narrative, but especially some of his images in Richard's Beauty & the Beast themed shoot. The image below especially proved for me the importance of Richard's theme as I was stunned at how impacted I was with the romantic power within the shoot and the image. We see a lot of images of men together sexually, but it is still rare to see images rooted in romance.
Tale As Old As Time
Mark Leighton: A Quiet Heat
Mark Leighton's work always combines beautiful male models with breathtaking locals. Although not taken outside, I was struck by the body architecture in the image above from A Quiet Heat.
Utah (2018)
The annual Utah shoot is always a favorite of mine to feature, with every image from Gordon Nebeker, Mike Tossy and studioMGphotography a visual feast of man, body and nature. I always especially enjoy the 'behind the scene' shots. If you missed this years BTS piece, check it out HERE:
Many of the models I have featured turn the camera on themselves to take self portraits. These shots from John Woods and Stephan Tobias were two of the most spectacular.
The Forces of Nature: Stephan Tobias
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