Amber Aperture: Rustin by New Manhattan Studios

'Wow, I loved that light!  It outlined all of the muscles on the Rustin's beautifully defined torso.'

Wes, NMS

Last spring, I had the pleasure of featuring the first shoot between New Manhattan Studios and model Rustin Scarbrough. (À Votre Santé!)   I loved the visuals Wes and Logan from NMS created with Rustin, and looked forward to seeing more.  Wes shared in the previous piece that they already had a date scheduled for a second shoot in a month, this series is the result of that shoot.

'We had a bountiful and delightful session when we worked with Rus last winter. The three of us had such a grand time creating art together that we agreed to work together again on the model's next trip to New York. That opportunity came several months later and left me with the challenge of topping our previous session. I so much loved the work from our first session that I wasn't sure I had it in me. '

Wes

I'm guessing, like many other visual enthusiasts of the male form, I developed a wee crush on the Miami based model.  Both his stunning good looks and natural engagement with the lens and viewer. For this shoot, Rustin and Wes certainly matched the ambience and drama of the shooting location, even if it may not have been the original plan...  Wes and NMS certainly rose to the challenge, capturing something visually stunning, yet distinct and divergent, from the first time they worked together.

'I did not want to return to the same workspace for the second shoot. Once again, I am grateful to be plying my trade in New York City. I have a world of easily-accessible, professional studios and assorted venues to choose from.  

I scoured my resources and lists and found a studio in Long Island City, a short taxi or subway ride across the East River from Manhattan. I chose a venue with a large, round window. Given that my favorite light is backlighting, it appeared to be ideal.'

When Wes first sent on samples from the second shoot, I replied by rambling on and on about how much I loved the huge round 'window', the light it emulated and how magnificent the visuals turned out. Turns out, those stunning results were more about the skills utilized, and the magic created by NMS.  Turn out, there's wasn't a huge round window at all....

'When we arrived at the studio, my concern about the nature of the window was confirmed. It wasn't real. It was part of a constructed set.  My worries about how the fake prop would photograph however, were vanished as soon as we turned off the studio lights and switched on the "window." It gave off a golden glow like a late afternoon sun, wrapping the model in warm amber light.'

Below:  Behind the Scenes of Logan at work shooting Rustin

'I'll leave it to the viewer to decide now natural it looks. Upon seeing the results, however, Rus gave me the highest compliment he could have: "Wow, we topped our first session! I had to agree, iit has turned into one of my favorite sessions in 2025 and I look forward to working with Rus again on his next return to the city'

Many readers I know checked out Rustin's first shoot with NMS and the photo essay, First Champagne.. Wes again compiled the best, and hottest shots of Rustin for a new photo essay, Amber Aperture.  You can preview, and purchase your own digital download your own on the NMS website HERE:  The essay features over 50 images of the 23 year old model, including full nudes and erection shots basking in the golden light of the afternoon sun.

Rustin on NMS

Amber Aperture on NMS 

New Manhattan Studios on BlueSky

New Manhattan Studios on Instagram

Rustin on Instagram