'Rico was one of those rare models that I literally just had to capture. '
I've written before about my brief stint as a photographer. I've always taken images, and always been drawn to artistic visuals. For a couple of years when I was in University, I made a little extra cash doing family photos, pet pictures and about a dozen weddings. I don't really remember there being much art involved, what I remember, was the timing.
For family photos and pet shoots, it was about being quick. Not all families get along, especially under stress, and I learned the quicker I could them in and out, the more likely I'd get a decent shot. After about 10 or 15 minutes, the cracks in the familial dynamics began to crack. People began to lose patience, parents with their kids, and especially siblings with one another. I was studying psychology at the time, and used that more than what I'd learned in my high school photography class.
Pets were actually easier for me, but again, it was all about timing and speed. Anyone whose photographed a dog, and especially a cat, knows the images you get in the first minute or so are probably going to be the best ones. I'm not taking about shooting your dog while out on a hike, I shot mostly inside, with the furry friends on the lap of their owner. After about a minute or so, they either wanted to get down, or they wanted to sleep
Weddings were an entirely other matter. After ensuring you got those posed family shots, the rest of the day was running around, trying to stay out of the way, while at the same time ensuring you were front and center for every moment that counted. Missing a kiss, or a father's drunken 'Stayin Alive' disco move or any other major moment could impact the tip. Given I wasn't a professional, I didn't make much, so the tip was major money maker.
I didn't initially intend to take readers down my history and photography path when I started this piece. When photographer Bob Burkhardt sent on his work with Rico, I did however keep thinking back to those early times behind the camera. I also thought of how my tastes and maybe especially my views, on both art and photography have changed.
I used to be so focused on the subject. I convinced myself, that a good looking bride and groom would lead to good quality wedding photos. I thought a well handsome, and well behaved Labrador was the key to a good pet photo. I let who or what was in front of my lens determine the results. If I took a bad shot, I blamed it on timing, or the fighting family or the fidgety puppy. I wished I been confidant to have relied more on my creative skills and artistic thinking. There were many brides and grooms who would have looked better with less light and more shadow....
I was thinking these things, as when I do eventually pick up my camera again, I hope I don't let the same self-imposed obstacles get in my way. The subject, especially one as stunning as Rico, is certainly an important element. As Bob's images so beautifully demonstrate, it's really how you visualize the subject, and you utilize them int he process, that impacts the final visuals.
Rico is clearly a stunning man. He has a phenomenal body, handsome face, and a beautiful canvas of body art. I often see men with a lot of tattoos and think they cover, or take away from a great body, but with Rico, his body art appears so beautifully designed and arranged, they seem more a part of who he is, than something just covering the surface. Through his images, Bob seems to have used the body art in the same way he uses lighting and pose in the process of visual creation.
'I don't really know anything about Rico's tattoos but I think they're beautifully done and I really liked the asymmetry. Apparently has had more added since our shoot.'
Bob and Rico met and connected through XL, another of Bob's models who've I previously featured on the site. (HERE:) Bob shares that Rico came highly recommended, and lived up to all the positives that Bob had heard. Rico was one of those rare models that Bob really wanted to capture and although not a professional model, he was great to work with and required very little direction.
Rico works in the medical profession and was hesitant due to job about doing full frontals. He wasn't hesitant however, about sensual expression, and if you check out the shots here, and on the NEXT PAGE HERE: you'll see he certainly didn't hold back with delivering the goods. Although Bob captured Rico in a variety of poses, I separated the shots into the images with Rico standing, and the shots of him lying down. In both, there is a focus on pose and Rico's magnificent lines and curves.
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