Morning Coffee: Ash by Mark Leighton

'Coffee is the common man’s gold, and like gold, it brings to every person the feeling of luxury and nobility.'

The last time I featured Mark Leighton's images of Ash it was At The End of the Day. But I think you'll agree that the 22 year old Leeds model would also be a welcome site in the morning. Two of the most important parts our day are the beginning and the end and Mark thought waking up to the smell of coffee, especially with Ash, would be a beautiful way to book end the series.

Marquez Ash

Marquez Ash on ModelMayhem

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

~At The End Of The Day~

At The End Of The Day: Ash by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

In February of 2015, when I featured Joel with At The End Of The Day, I thought it was the last piece in the series. I had been featuring the work of Mark Leighton for many years, and I had loved that point of total freedom and relaxation hMark so beautifully captured with so many of the models he had shot.

When looking into new themes to explore with Mark's work, I was excited when the Lagos based artist shared that he had shot some new work to support a revival of the theme. I was especially thrilled that one of the models Mark sent on was 22 year old UK model Marquez Ash. I had seen Ash's first shoot with Mark and loved his look. Incredible body and face and the most beautiful blue eyes you could stare into for hours. I had actually contacted Ash last year about a piece on FH, and his response came right in the middle of his second shoot with Mark.

'Tye, I'm writing to you here from not so sunny Portugal with Mark. Although my tan looks incredible, the weather has been dreadful today, we will be shooting bedroom sensual and sexy shots in the next few days... wink.   I'm sure the images will turn out super hot and fiery!'

Marquez Ash

In order to have a truly exhilarating and relaxing end of a day, one must exude a lot of energy the previous 12 hours. Ash is a hard worker, pushing himself both mentally and physically in the journey to achieve his goals. Ash has worked hard to achieve the fitness results he wants, through intense training and sports like rugby league, various other athletics all the way to capoerira dance. Fitness is not just a goal but a passion for Ash, and modeling and training are both challenges, and part of the path to his future as a qualified personal trainer. With all of the energy Ash exudes throughout the day, the release is even more intense when he's finally home at the end of his day.

Marquez Ash

Marquez Ash on ModelMayhem

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

~At The End Of The Day~

At The End of The End of The Day: Joel by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

It is beautifully appropriate that Joel headlines the eighth, and final, installment of Mark Leighton's At The End Of The Day. Although Mark and I officially began the series back in November with Shane, it was two stories I did last August with Joel, (A Layover in Lagos & Sans Sand) that stimulated the idea.

Joel's look is ethereal, beautiful body, incredible hair, great face and lips and piercing blue eyes that draw your attention in each of Mark's images. Joel's coloring looks amazing on both the mauve (I hope it's mauve) bedspread or laying in and under the blues and green's of the water of Algarve where the shoot occured.

I want to thank Mark Leighton for all the incredible images he sent on for the series. With all of the incredible models and images Mark sent on, what was supposed to be a one off piece because an eight part series which deffinately brightened up this east coast blogger over this freezing and snow filled winter!

If you missed out on any of the series, you can check out all of the men who helped our days, Shane, Jacopo, M Smit, Miguel, Ashleigh, Victor, Chris & now Joel, here At The End Of The Day.

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

At The End Of The Day: Chris by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

Usually with the At The End Of The Day series, I focus only on studio images, once the model is home, relaxed and most often, in bed and horizontal. With fitness coach and trainer Chris Torres, I could not resist adding a couple of images of Chris on the beach. Not only great shots, they also demonstrate how working so hard throughout the day, flows so beautifully into that energy release as the day comes to a close. Photographer Mark Leighton perfectly captures the 27 year old Paris model's incredible body and intense, smouldering look as he invites viewers to join him celebrating the end of his day.

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

At The End Of The Day: Victor by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

I took a slight pause with At The End Of The Day when I began my 12 Days of Christmas series. Thanks to photographer Mark Leighton however, there are still a couple of models left to help heat up the end of these cold January evenings. I have been fortunate to have featured Mark's work with Victor before, a local model Mark discovered working as a summer waiter at a restaurant. Early into his first shoot with Mark, Victor became quickly comfortable in front of the lens, and as you can tell, with his great face, and beautiful eyes, the camera loved him.

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

At The End Of The Day: Ashleigh by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

I love the colors photographer Mark Leighton blends into these images of Ashleigh. The oranges, reds and yellows highlighted by the light through the window reflect beautifully as they cascade over Ashleigh's body and skin. A perfect end to the day.

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem

At The End Of The Day: Miguel by Mark Leighton

'That feeling, usually at the end of the day, work is done and you're home. Your shoes, and often your clothes, are off and on the floor, and you're free from the stresses of the day... Even if just temporarily, for the next eight, ten or twelve hours you're time is your. The sensation of both beautiful relaxation and erotic freedom.'

Miguel and photographer Mark Leighton first shot on the beaches of Portugal in October of last year, but got together again for this shoot at the beginning of this year. In most cases, the end of the day is the closure of the last 12-14 hrs, a cap to what was. With Miguel, in almost seems a beginning.

The tux may be off, but Miguel looks to still have the energy to squeeze a little more living out of the day. Belgian, with Indonesian roots, Miguel has a great look, especially his face with those great lips and beautiful eyes. The 20 year old student is new to modeling but is already passionate about pursuing it as a career.

Mark Leighton Photography

Mark Leighton on ModelMayhem