The 23rd Floor: Ethan Tate by Michael von Redlich

'We were very high up (23rd Floor) and so we were not aware of any onlookers.'

Michael von Redlich

Earlier this month I was fortunate to be able to spotlight the work of photographer Michael von Redlich and his time shooting model and actor Ethan Tate. (HERE:) In the the first part of the feature, Michael shared how they got together, and what inspired the creative concepts and themes that they captured.  

In the second part, I highlighted some of my favorites shots with the creative utilization of step ladder left by the owners of the Airbnb that Michael had rented for the shoot. I also shared that because Michael had sent on so many incredible shots, I wanted to do another piece, this time, with the shots taken outside, on the apartments balcony.

Whenever I feature a shoot featuring a nude model outside, it's almost automatic for me to ask about on-lookers.  Part of the pleasure of viewing images of a model outside is the voyeuristic element and the risk of being seen or discovered.  Because they were shooting so far up, on the 23rd floor, Michael shares they were not aware of any onlookers, but with all of those windows, and those 22 floors of balconies below, it's possible someone looked up and enjoyed more than just the sun, and the blue skies of Atlanta.  

Regardless of whether there were any secret spies below, both Michael and Ethan enjoyed their time together.  Ethan shares that he would highly recommend any model looking for unique and creative images, to work with Michael.  Both model and photographer both commented on how imaginative and collaborate the shoot was.

'My favorite part was how collaborative the shoot was. Michael and I shared equal control over poses and what locations to use.'

Ethan Tate

Beyond his beauty, one of the most visually striking thing about Ethan is the large tattoo on Ethan's upper left thigh.  At first glance, the tattoo looks like a large flower, but if you look closely, you'll notice that flower is being pollinated by a small bee.  Whenever a model has a such large, and distinctive tattoo, I'm always curious about the story behind it.   Check out the final chapter of the shoot's story, and the story behind Ethan's tattoo on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

Michael von Redlich on ModelMayhem

Michael von Redlich on Instagram / Twitter

Ethan Tate on Onlyfans

Ethan Tate on Instagram / Twitter

Movie In My Mind: Ethan Tate by Michael von Redlich

'I wanted to be sure it wasn’t a porn-type shoot. There are nudes, but I wanted it to be a well-rounded shoot for both of us. '

Michael von Redlich

I've shared before that I don't watch a lot of adult films.  Clearly, given I created FH, I love the male form, but I tend to prefer still images over video.  I'm drawn to moments, captured instances in time never to be repeated.  Part of it, is because images often incite my own stories, movies created in my imagination motivated from the artist, model and a specific image.

My imagination certainly began creating beautiful scenes after seeing first seeing images of model Ethan Tate by photographer Michael von Redlich.  I was immediately struck by Ethan's beautiful face, lips and eyes.  Further, I was taken by the strong connection Ethan created with the viewer.  Through Michael's lens, Ethan's eyes and eye contact created such a beautifully sensual mood, I was instantly drawn in.

With an adult film, the goal is simple, to sell fantasy and sex.  Although a photographer may have a similar goal, with a still image, they must do through mood and connection.  I think most people need more than just a body to sensually stimulated, they a person they feel some sort of connection with. It doesn't have to be a complicated one, but does have to be distinctly sensorial. 

After seeing Michael's images, I had to head to Ethan's Instagram and Twitter.  It was there, I saw he worked for Carnal films.  Ethan's Twitter had a few short video clips, enough to know he creates that same connection on film.  With both the viewer, and his scene partner, Ethan's eyes powerfully grab your gaze, holding and keeping you there.  They also have you wanting to see, and fell more, something great photos also do so well.

It was Ethan's Twitter that also inspired Michael to reach out to the model and actor about a shoot.  Michael saw a film that Ethan had shared on Twitter and was immediately charmed with his smile.  Ethan responded positively, and a date and time to shoot were quickly arranged.

What stood out to you about his look/work?

I was struck by what a sweet, joyful guy he seemed as well as is physicality. 

Did you discuss the shoot, possible themes before the shoot? 

I had told him my idea of using the location itself rather than a studio setup (I was in an Airbnb in downtown Atlanta) and he liked it! 

Can you share your thoughts on your experience on the shoot? 

Ethan was very easy-going, open to ideas as well as bringing his own to the shoot. 

What is the best thing about working with Ethan? 

It was very pleasant, peaceful and it felt like a true collaboration. 

The Airbnb that Michael had rented had a specific prop that ended up being a pivotal part of the shoot.  There were so many great shots, and great poses with the prop, that I wanted to spotlight them on their own.  Check them out on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

Ethan Tate on Onlyfans

Ethan Tate on Instagram / Twitter

Michael von Redlich on ModelMayhem

Michael von Redlich on Instagram / Twitter

Every Inch of Space: Ethan Tate by Michael von Redlich

'There was a lot of trust to try the shots even if we were unsure how’d they turn out, we used every inch of space available to us. :) '

Ethan Tate

If you check out the previous part of photographer Michael von Redlich and his work with Ethan Tate, you know they indeed utilized almost every possible location, and every nook and cranny in the Airbnb during their shoot.  From the living room and balcony, we now move into the more intimate rooms in the apartment with images captured in the bathroom and bedroom. 

As we go more intimate with setting, I also wanted to get a little more initiate with the story, and find out what inspired Ethan's tattoo, and the creative choice behind the flower and bee.  Turns out, quite a bit.  The current version of the tattoo you're viewing,, and are probably zooming in to see better, wasn't the original concept or design.  Below, Ethan shares how the flower and bee came grace it's corporeal canvas. 

Behind the Scenes

'Originally there was a stick and poke of poor quality there, done when I was only 16. After someone had told me it made them lose all attraction to me, I decided it was time to cover it up as it was done in a particularly edgy time of my life and I no longer felt represented by the image it held. '

'At age 19, sometime in the summer. I visited a recommended artist by the name Alyssa. She had just come out of school and at that point, was working for her teacher. Her portfolio was impressive so I trusted her with responsibility of covering the original piece.'

'During senior year I had been tasked with the study of a selected insect, I so happened to have Honey Bees as mine. After long hours of study and writing about bees I felt inspired and infatuated with them. Bees are absolutely wonderful and docile creatures'

If you looked closely, you may have noticed that the honey bee pollinating the flower isn't the only Apis mellifera drawn to and on Ethan's body and skin.  Ethan plans on getting even more bee related tattoo applied in the future.

Not only have honey bee's become a keen interest and passion for Ethan, they have also become a unique form of connection.  Many of Ethan's friends also share a love of bees, with some being actual beekeepers.  Even one of Ethan's employers, Carnal Media's LeGrand Wolf has a passion for bees.  Wolf, along with husband, are both beekeepers, spending their off time, tending to their bee colonies and hives. 

Ethan Tate on Onlyfans

Ethan Tate on Instagram / Twitter

Michael von Redlich on ModelMayhem

Michael von Redlich on Instagram / Twitter

Well Rung: Ethan Tate by Michael von Redlich

'The location was an Airbnb in downtown Atlanta (Buckhead) and was absolutely brilliant for the shoot! I used the app to scout the location before I committed to it.'

Michael von Redlich

The Airbnb that Michael rented and utilized turned out to be the perfect location for a shoot focused on the male form.  In addition the many spaces, the deck and the large window that illuminated so much natural light, there was also a tall step ladder that ended up being an important part of the shoot. 

The ladder is inspired, was that your idea? 

It was a mutual idea, actually – the owners had accidently left it there, so we used it! 

The ladder's levels promoted so many great poses, how much of that was directed by you how much was from Ethan? 

Easily 50/50 – he is very intuitive artistically and knows what makes for a great image. 

Michael sent on hundreds of images from his time with Ethan Tate, but the shots featuring the ladder were some of my favorites. The many rungs and different levels created incredible visuals and inspired creative angles from Michael and uniquely sensual poses from Ethan. 

I'm sure I am not the only one, who's stood behind and below a hot guy on a ladder.  It's almost automatic, to check out their butt as they ascend their way up the rungs.  Unfortunately for most of us, the hot guy in question, unlike in Ethan's case, isn't usually wearing CK briefs or no briefs at all. 

Were you happy with the finished images? 

I was very happy with what we did, but as always, I saw ways to improve my own work. 

Do you have a favorite moment from the day? 

The chance to meet, talk and collaborate with such a unique individual made it an incredibly positive experience. 

With so many incredible shots to choose from, it was a difficult, but immensely pleasurable, task to narrow down my final picks.  There was a section of Ethan out on the balcony however, that I couldn't it in, nor couldn't leave out.  Look for that set in a piece next week.

Michael von Redlich on Twitter

Michael von Redlich on Instagram

Ethan Tate on OnlyFans

Ethan Tate on Twitter