'We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools.'
Martin Luther King, Jr
Sterling
I've been featuring the work of TR Pics for close to fifteen years, and especially love Tom's holiday work. Over that time, if I've learned one thing about Tom as an artist, is that he's always up for a challenge. One only look back to two years ago, to my 2023 Halloween posts. (HERE:) I let Tom know my theme was King Kong, and that I wanted a hot naked model in the hands of the magnificent beast. Tom didn't think of reasons it couldn't be done, he blew by any and all obstacles, and focused on how it could be done.
Cooper Bold
When I asked Tom about shooting for this year's 4th of July holiday, the challenge, at least on the surface, seemed easier than putting a 6' tall male model, in the paw of a 24ft tall gorilla. It was however, more artistically specific. I often request themes, but I don't remember after asking about tone or mood. My request to Tom was to shoot a diverse set of models with a reflective tone.
Given the present political climate, and the intellectually limited clown in the White House, I was visualizing subdued beauty. Visuals embracing strength and resilience. Images expressing a patriotic pride rooted in the moment, but determinately looking towards a more hopeful future as well. To hit just the right patriotic note, Tom enlisted four models, including Cooper Bold and Sterling who are featured here. (The other two models are featured on the next page HERE:) As you can clearly see, Tom, as well as models Cooper and Sterling, rose to the challenge and more than met the moment.
' I love shooting with Tom because he is so easy to get along with. He's got the sweet heart and genuinely pays attention to his models. He finds beauty in every body and knows how to bring that out in the shoots. As for the theme, being an American to me is finding strength. Not just to stand up, but to forgive. Having the strength to look past the small things and find unity in our struggles.'
Tom describes Cooper Bold as an amazing guy, visually stunning, but even-keeled and someone always willing to jump in and help. Tom met Sterling at a group photoshoot and was immediately taken by his amazing body. Tom describes Sterling as one of the sweetest, and modest models that he's worked with. Sterling shared that he wasn't always so tones, and is very proud of the hard work he has put into his body and into his health.
I was very intrigued when Tye told me about his wants to commemorate the United States' Independence Day for FH. Because of these very "trying times" all around the world, the idea of a celebratory "Fourth" just seemed a bit... off. He had mentioned maybe we could focus on the feelings of what "Freedom" means to those folk who are almost targeted for being different today, namely either immigrants or those with darker skin tones.
We decided we wanted a serious bent, because Freedom for a lot of people took more effort and courage and desire than it did for a lot of people. Some of us have taken it for granted. Others know of the demands that it took to fight for it. Hopefully, that comes across. My theme and objective was, Pride for the past; Hope for the future.
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