'It was a marathon night!'
For me, holidays are always about the traditions, especially the customs unique to my own families celebrations. When it comes to holidays on FH, I'm also all about tradition. It's about the colors and dynamic visuals associated with that particular day. It's also about the artists and models. Like those family members and friends we celebrate with every year, I love welcoming returning models and artists who are as excited about visually celebrating the holidays as much as I am.
Although I'm not sure he'd admit it, I think Tom Nakielski (Lights On Studio) gets as excited about holiday shoots as I do, maybe more. The pressure's really on the photographer, finding the right model, coming up with a new concept, gathering any fashion and props required. After his recent fall, I wasn't sure Tom would be up for shooting for this years July holidays, but he was driven to get back to work and determined not to let his injury get in the way.
To celebrate the 4th, Tom brought back the beautiful Tony. Many FH readers might remember Tony from his previous holiday visits. Tony put on (and took off) a fake fur to celebrate Ground Hog Day. (A Long Brutal Winter) Tony also showed us his throbbing heart.... this past February 14th. (Guilty Pleasure) The Michigan model certainly has a fantastic body, but it's his beautiful brown eyes that always first draw my attention.
Tony is of Iraqi heritage. He was born in the US, after his parents immigrated back in the late 1970's. It was during the Saddam Hussein era when the men in every family were required to do military service. With all of the unrest and mayhem, they decided to move America to provide a safer life and future for their family.
Given his injuries, for this shoot with Tony, Tom decided to be proactive and ask his studio partner Karah if she'd join him for the shoot and help out. Not only did Karah help with the set up, props and lights, she also provided some great creative suggestions for looks and poses. Tom says Karah made the shoot so much easier and is hoping she'll be up for joining him again.
There were a few poses that Tom shares Tony wasn't sure about at first. It ended up being Karah assuring him how great they looked, that had Tony giving them a shot. Given Tony is straight, and just 20 years old, I had to wonder how he felt about a woman on set as he stood there naked, waving his flag...
'He was not shy at all with Karah. In fact he asked if I would have her there to help in the session. I thought he may have wanted a fluffier... but that wasn't the case. The flag pole did start going up at the very beginning of the session all on it's own, but it was just momentary. There may not have been enough wind to keep it blowing.'
'Although all three of us had ideas, the shoot was mostly spontaneous. I had no idea how the fabric to wrap Tony in would actually work but we figured it out. I had many more ideas but after three hours it was time to call it a wrap.'
Check out more of Tom's work with Tony on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
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