From The Get-Go: Mason by Karl Royce

'Mason is an absolute joy to work with,, a cheeky quick wit and smile to match.'

Karl Royce

I'm guessing many long time FH readers recognize the work of photographer Karl Royce.  I first discovered Karl's visuals over a decade ago on Model Mayhem, back when the site was the primary connector for artists and models.  I saw one of Karl's images in the site's pic of the day contests and was drawn to the way Karl captured such dynamic energy in his visuals.  

I quickly got in touch with Karl, and throughout the 2010's, I had the pleasure of regularly featuring the London photographer's work.  The dynamic energy Karl captured came through his skill with lighting and composition, along with his use of vibrant colors, props, pose and fashion.  If you check out my previous pieces, (HERE:) you'll certainly see what I mean.  Rarely has a folding chair been utilized so erotically...

It's great to be able to share more of Karl's work, especially with the magnetic Mason. You can certainly see and feel that dynamic energy is this series of images. As incredible as Mason's body is, it was his expressive face and those beautifully seductive eyes that really drew me in.  Karl and Mason first connected back in 2023 after Mason answered a casting call that Karl had posted.  They immediately connected, leading to multiple shoots over the next two years.  They already planning to shoot again early next year.

'Mason has an easy laid back nature, never in a rush (his Caribbean nature I guess) and will try his hardest to give you the image you're after. '

Originally from Trinidad, located along the Caribbean Sea, Although Mason began his modeling journey at home, he is currently living and studying in England.  It was there, he and Karl connected and began their creative collaboration. Trinidadians are known for their warmth, their witty banter and unique sense of humor, all of which Karl experienced and enjoyed during their multiple shoots.  Karl also shares that Mason's rich, thick accent only added to his warmth and charm.

'Mason always comes to a shoot as a blank canvas to be honest and really just goes with the flow. Although I give him the theme/concept/premise beforehand to check, he's never expressed any objections or concerns. Every shoot is fun and he`s always full of energy which is the main reason/'

Karl heard from a few other photographers that Mason could be a little shy until he felt comfortable. Given their instant connection and rapport, Karl never experienced this as they clicked from the get-go.  One of the things Karl loved most about working with Mason was how much they talked during their shoots. So much so, they often ran beyond the time schedule due to all the great conversations and stories shared.

Karl Royce on Instagram

Karl Royce on ModelMayhem

Karl Royce on FH:

Mason on Instagram

Celtic Connotations: Mal by Karl Royce

Having featured the work of London photographer Karl Royce for a couple of years now, I can usually predict how he may capture a model. Karl is a master at capturing great bodies in striking poses with minimal props and strong, but stark blue, but often black background. Sometimes his models have a chair, bed with a bright white sheet, but usually Karl doesn't include anything to distract from the model he elevating through is images.

I starting asking Karl about featuring Mal a couple of months ago. I loved the 'concept' shoots Karl did with Mal, the first few shots from series entitled 'After A Long Day', and the series of Mal in, and out of his tux, as a nod to 007. There was also something I found incredibly hot about the 26 year old London model.. The first set of images of Mal I saw were not the concept shots, but last two images featured in this piece. Mal was on a chair with the blue background, nude with his hands chained in one person.

I loved how vulnerable Mal was in this set. Mal has a bit of a 'boy next door look', but in Karl's imagery he was clearly enjoying letting another side out. I loved Mal's facial structure, beautiful blue eyes and even his mouth and teeth in the last image.  Mal has a look both unique and incredibly sexy.

Problem was Mal was contemplating ending the nude work he had been doing. But... when Karl approached him about FH, Mal not was on board, came back into the studio for another shoot. Sometimes a trusting relationship with a photographer, and positive experiences in front of the camera create a connection that makes the work not only creatively fulfilling, but a lot of fun. Karl thinks it may be their Celtic connotations as both he and Mal are both Welsh, although Karl admits he is only half Welsh, with his other half being Greek.

'This last shoot with Mal was just done in a cheeky style nude which had no pre-planning except for me wanting to include a tux in the images in a sort of bond 007 thing. Mal was happy to go with the flow which sometime just works better!'

The shoot went so well, they are actually doing another in the new year. Karl describes Mal as so easy to work with, to create and direct, that he has more artistic ideas that he wants to explore. Nothing concrete so far, just in the early creative stages, but hopefully I will be able to give you all a sneak peak in January!

Karl Royce

Karl R on ModelMayhem

Karl Royce on FH:

Steven: Balance & Hold

Adam Coussins: Hold

Terrylane: Black & Blue

James: The Visual Variance

Agraluca: The Chair

The Chair: Ben by Karl Royce

When I first encountered the work of London artist Karl Royce, it was not just because of one model, or one body, but because of the way in which each of the bodies Karl captured were positioned, posed and captured. The models in Karl's images appear unbounded, as if the limits of movement, space and gravity do not exist. Some of the men appeared in mid air, others grounded, but lightly so as if floating near, but planted on the ground.

Karl's background as a painter plays an important role as not only is space devoid of boundaries with his images, but color as well. Most of Karl's models are surrounded by just one color, often, but not necessarily black. The surrounding starkness adds a beautiful freedom to his work as well as flow of mobility the models utilize within the space.

Karl has been working to combine the medium of paint on canvas with his passion for photography by using models and images created to combine the two. His focus on movement and a models ability to create shapes with their bodies is central to his objective of utilizing the human body as an art form in the creation of thought provoking imagery.

'Ben is Romanian and for obvious reasons is a very popular model! He trains 3 times a day, has the most amazing hazel eyes. He is totally comfortable with his body and really happy to be directed to get the results that the photographer wants. Very professional in his approach and very easy to work with.'

Karl Royce

Karl says when planning his shoot with 26 year old Ben, the concept in his head was simply model and a chair. The chair acts as a beautiful measure to both highlight and contrast Ben's muscular physique. Karl uses the chair as more than just a prop or a stage for his models pose. The weaving of object with body and skin is what gives the images their strength. The chair is there partly to support Ben but also to balance the experience of the viewer.

Karl Royce Photography on ModelMayhem

Back to Ben by Karl Royce

'Ben is a totally unassuming guy who really doesn't get what the fascination of him is about?'

Karl Royce

Ben may wonder what the fascination is, but lovers of images featuring the male form, know exactly what it is. Ben's rock hard, and beautifully sculpted body, steely hazel eyes, not to mention his 'not giving a shit' attitude about naked and enjoyed, are just some of the reason I was hooked the first time I saw Ben's images. His incredible ass helped quickly seal an already done deal.

The first images I saw of Ben came from London based photographer Karl Royce. It was almost exactly three years ago, and Karl and I were going back and forth on a subjects for a first feature to showcase his work. We ended up using Karl's images of Ben in a 2014 Valentine's post entitled, The Chair.

'The first time I met and shot with Ben a few years ago I was struck by not his obvious incredible physique but by those amazing almost cat like eyes! We chatted before hand to discuss the type of images I was aiming for and it became apparent that not only was he very knowledgeable about photography being a photographer himself but that he is totally unassuming guy who really doesn't get what the fascination of him is about?.'

After featuring that first shoot, it makes sense then, that I often return to Karl's images, especially when his work, and his models, are as spectacular as Ben. As a painter, Karl has been trained to pay attention to every inch of the canvas, and the same philosophy comes into play with his photography. His job is made much easier when he has a model like Ben who so easily, fills so much space with both his physique, and the strength he exudes in front of the lens. Ben is no shrinking violet!

'A model that is so easy to work with and strives to give you what your after no matter what concept you have planned which is one of the reasons that I`ve worked with him numerous times and will continue to., he`s also very funny and quick witted making each collaboration a total joy.'

Karl Royce Photography

Karl Rocye on ModelMayhem

Black & Blue: Terrylane by Karl Royce

'Karl's background as a painter plays an important role as not only is space devoid of boundaries with his images, but color as well. Most of Karl's models are surrounded by just one color, often, but not necessarily black. The surrounding starkness adds a beautiful freedom to his work as well as flow of mobility the models utilize within the space.'

The quote above comes from my first feature on the work of London photographer Karl Royce this past Valentine's Day.  (The Chair)  For this piece, Karl sent on many different shots of 37 year old model Terrylane from several different shoots. Karl says that Terry has defiantly become one of his favorite models to work with and has come to regard him as a bit of a muse. For some reason, even with the more edgier shots Karl sent on, my favorites remained his images of Terry in front of the Black and Blue background.

'Karl is a pleasure to model for. A true gentleman and he produces fantastic photos.'

Terrylane

The solid colors, especially black, beautifully highlight and contrast with Terry's skin and body art. With the intricate lines and detail of his tattoo's the solid brings the viewers gaze to Terry with the background color acting as almost a platform or stage for his body to look it's best. Terry left a desk job to train as an electrician but really loves his work as a life model. Karl says it was Terry's work as an artists model that led to their meeting. Terry has posed twice for Spencer Tunik and his images were also featured in the Sun newspaper. Terry is someone who loves being naked and totally comfortable within his own skin. His comfortability with his body, and being nude, is evident and brings an ease and relaxation to his work and images.

'Terry is friendly, confident and has a wicked sense of humour which translates to his cheeky smile and twinkle in those aqua eyes. He is quick witted and really fun to be around, If I am being honest, we spend a lot of the time just chatting rather than concentrating on the shoot!'

Karl Royce

Karl Royce Photography on ModelMayhem

Terrylane on ModelMayhem

Balance & Hold: Steven by Karl Royce

'I'm not afraid to get my clothes off or put some wacky clothes on... '

Steven

Continuing his goal of celebrating male beauty through art, London artist Karl Royce shares these phenomenal images of model Steven Dicosta. As someone with a weakness for redheads, I had discovered Steven's work on ModelMayhem a few months ago. I was intimately draw to his work. It was not just that incredible hair, Steven has wonderfully warm face and beautiful brown eyes. The London model also has a crazy hot chest and torso and knows to how to use both his face and body in the creation of exceptionally strong imagery.

Karl's focus on celebration certainly applies to this set of images. Many artist work with a model in the creation of a theme or concept, Karl, even when utilizing a concept (the Chair) keeps his focus on his model, bringing out their best and letting them shine. Some of my favorite images of Karl's are his captures of models in front of the plain, yet dramatic black background. Through pose and lighting, Karl always manages to create images that not only high lights, but beautifully exaggerates color and form.

Steven loves shooting artistic images, and I love the artistry of the statuesque poses he created in this series. Through the

poses, flexibility and body movement, Karl captures incredible shots which celebrate and spotlight, Steven's muscle and physique, beautiful skin as well as every freckle and patch of red covering his body. I also love Steven's hand placement and facial expressions. Although totally naked, balancing in positions, many difficult to hold, Steven appears very 'still'. Many of the captures appear to give a nod, paying homage to Rodin's The Thinker and other classic sculptures.

'Steve is the type of model that goes that just that bit little further to try and achieve the artist`s concept. Of Italian decent but he has deep copper hair and the pale alabaster skin associated with his colouring., sprinkled freckles with that just add to his look. A compact but perfectly formed body which maintains with a healthy lifestyle and yoga and he has no attitude is funny and quick witted. A model that I would be happy to book again and again!'

Karl Royce

stevendicosta on ModelMayem

Check out much more of Karl's work on ModelMayhem HERE:

& Also check out Karl's brand new site HERE: