'Chris not only knows his stuff behind the lens, but he is also very easy going while also direct and energetic. He always brings out the bests side of me, and pushes me to do better.'
Although my site has the work 'favorite' in the title, it's always hard to choose any one above of the other. I don't spotlight work that I don't love, and I attempt to have every artist, every model, and every shoot that feature, shine and stand-out. That being said, if were to make a list of my favorites from the past year, photographer Chris Teel, and his work with model Hal Kourtney would near the top.
It certainly didn't take any work on my part to have Chris' shots of Hal stand out and shine. Sure, I through Hal the FH Questionnaire, my version of the Proust Questionnaire that appears on the last page of Vanity Fair. My version is less about life and death, and more about what it's like to strip out of your clothes to pose front of the camera.
Hal certainly sent back some wonderful, and entertaining answers, but they only confirmed what I'd already seen and felt from the images Chris had sent on. Hal was unique and special. Not only does he have a body that Greek Gods would give up their mythic powers for, Hal has a personality and sense of humor that are equally as sexy and compelling.
This isn't always the case, believe me, I've interviewed hundreds of models and photographers over the years, and it's really not that common that the energy and personality seen in the photos, is matched in their answers. Some models light up in front of the camera, but I suspect Hal's energy is pretty consistent regardless of the place or situation that's he is in.
You can see it in some of the images, and the faces he makes, and you can feel it when reading some of Hal's comments about his work. He's passionate about fitness for sure, but doesn't take his modeling work overly serious, or let the positive feedback to his images go to his head.
When I was putting together this piece for example, I was struggling with what images to choose. Hal decided to help out by putting together a video and sending it to Chris to help clear up for me exactly how much peen he was cool with. I of course had to push those boundaries just a little, and almost all of my choices, made the cut.
When I first featured Chris' work with Hal earlier this, narrowing down my favorite images was next to impossible. Although I had to cut out hundreds of shots, I still ended up doing three parts. (Make 'Em Smile / No Whittle Room / Prom King) For the latest set that Chris sent on, from one of their latest shoots together, one of my New Year's resolutions kicked in and I used a wee bit more self-control and stuck to just two parts.
Given how long I've been working on FH, and how many shoots I've featured, it can take a bit more than just a great looking model to grab, and hold my attention. Chris' work with Hal certainly did both. Given how long Chris has been shooting, it's also important that he find new and talented models that keep him energized and excited to shoot. Hal certainly filled the bill for Chris as well.
'Every once in a while I get the opportunity to collaborate with a model who becomes a muse for me, someone whose passion for what he does inspires me to create differently. Hal is that model for me.'
'He's a beautiful person inside and out and brings a level of creativity, a willingness to challenge himself and draws upon his life experiences to create the look we're going for. I'm looking forward to continuing to create with Hal as long as we're both able :) More to come in 2024! '
Check out more of Chris' work with Hal, and read Hal's favorite moments from 2023, and what he's most looking forward to in 2024, on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
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