Between Jobs: Brian by Photography by George

 'I think it was as much of a turn on for Brian to do this striptease as it is for me to photograph it.'

George

Last week, while spotlighting Studio1x and his work with Fletcher, I mentioned some of the reasons men decide to give nude modeling a shot.  For some it's a profession, for others, it's a way of exploring their inner exhibitionist.  Like so many of us though, for most, it's about making some money.  The need to make a little quick cash is exactly how Brian ended up in front of George's lens, and modeling nude for the very first time.

Earlier this month, I spotlighted the work of Photography By George, with a feature which focused on a series of George's behind-the-scenes images. (The In-Between)  It was while going through George's portfolio to prepare for that piece, that I discovered his work with Brian.  I knew right away, I wanted to follow-up with George's work with Brian.

I loved Brian's rugged look, his great body and piercing dark eyes.  FH viewers know I also love featuring images of the male form in long abandoned, dilapidated and neglected locations of urban decay.  I love the contrast of a young, naked male body, in a deserted and derelict environment.   It's almost like looking into the past, and into the future all through the same lens.

When I asked about featuring his work with Brian, George was instantly on board, and my desire to feature the shoot was even greater when hearing how it all came together.   Like many photographers, George used to use Craiglist to advertise for models.  It was there that Brian saw his ad and got in touch.  Brian had never posed nude before, or any experience modeling, but was between jobs, and needed some extra cash to fill his gas tank and pay a few bills.

Even with no prior experience, Brian didn't hesitate when George explained the assignment, and although a little nervous at first, stripped down when it was time, and gave it his best.  Given his beautiful eyes and facial structure, George's camera loved him, and Brian followed direction well supporting George in creating an visually erotic series of images.

How did you first connect with Brian? 

Brian responded to a casting call I had placed on Craigslist. 

What about his look motivated you to want to shoot him? 

I thought he had a rugged look. I loved his facial hair and tattoos 

How much discussion did you have with Brian prior to the shoot about concept 

Not a lot of discussion. He was between jobs and needed to get some paid work to be able to buy gas for his car. 

Did he express any boundaries when it came to nudity or theme? 

None whatsoever. Although he'd never modeled before, he was happy for the work and expressed that he was happy to be photographed. 

Was he comfortable right away with nudity? 

I started by shooting him fully clothed as is my custom with all my shoots. This gives me the  opportunity to see how the model looks and moves and gives us both the chance to chat about whatever and break the ice. As the shoot progressed I asked Brian to gradually undress one article of clothing at I time. I think it was as much of a turn on for Brian to do this striptease as it is for me to photograph it.

Tell me about the location? Where did you find it? 

I learned about the location from a another model, a female model named Bri, I had done a non-nude shoot with there a month or so earlier. She turned me on to the location and specifically asked to do the shoot there. 

Were there any other building or people near, was there any worry about being discovered? 

There were other homes on the same road. But it was a rural setting with each home being separated by surrounding property. This was the last house on the road. Outdoor shoots when you are actually trespassing are always at risk even without the nudity. 

So... now that Brian is down to his undies, it's time to lose the red jock-strap and explore the rest of the location, without the limitations of clothing.  Check out the next part of George's work with Brian on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

Photography by George on Twitter

Photography by George on Tumblr / Instagram

Bidirectional Views: Jesse by Photography by George

'George's approach to his craft is to serve the viewer as mirror, window, and door.'

One of the most interesting things about windows, mirrors and doors isn't just what they reveal, but also what they conceal. They also don't necessarily reflect a complete truth, instead a narrow glimpse into something only made complete by incorporating the viewer's perception. Some photographers guide you to exactly what they want you to see, others simply provide a map, leaving the destination a mystery. Photographer George Krause purposely avoids unveiling the full picture, instead, he provides a visual entrance for those who wish to peek forward and inward.

Photography and art is so much about perception and assumption. If you don't like men with red hair, tattoo's or who are hairy, can you enjoy an image of a model with these qualities. Some would argue that could with a skilled photographer with a well constructed and creative image. I would argue one's ability to appreciate qualities, ones you might otherwise ignore or discount, is more about what the image asks of you, rather than what you actually see.

George

The first images from George that I saw were of model Ivan Bohman whom I featured in 2016. (Mature Content Beautifully Enabled) George's images of Ivan were so erotically sensual with a clear appreciation of the almost sixty year old models physical and sexual allure and charisma. I made a note to check out more of George's work, and to contact him again about possibly featuring more of his imagery. Whenever I profile a photographer, one of my first questions is what led to them focus their camera on the male form. Upon returning to George's portfolio, I could see that question may not apply and was left wondering if the male form was his focus at all?

'My first experience photographing a nude model was a bit out of the ordinary. It was with a female model named Kamarose (above). We did the shoot in one of the hot tub rooms at the Berkeley Sauna. I think I was more nervous than she was since it was my first nude shoot and she had been modeling nude for several years. Not to mention that we would both be naked during that shoot.'

Ok, now before I explain why George was also naked, let me go back a little bit. Ending up in that Sauna at Berkeley, was in a way, coming full circle for George. George spent many years living and working in higher education, and loved the community atmosphere and the almost small city feel to life on campus. After retiring, he and his wife drove to California. For George, photography came about from his desire to get back on campus, something he'd been missing since he retired. One of George's friends, a life model who modeled at a few local colleges, had an interesting idea...

'My friend knew that I was a nudist and suggested that I look into nude art modeling. The modeling and photographing of the nude fit together hand and glove so I began pursuing both . As a nudist I have always appreciated the beauty, power and grace of the human form. As a bisexual I am equally passionate about photographing both women and men.'

Lately, I have featured a few artists who shoot both women and men. Usually, I detect a preference, but not with George's images. Some photographers are skilled at capturing the visual beauty of both the male and female body, not all capture the sensuality as well. George certainly achieved that with Ivan, and with Jesse as well. So much in fact with Jesse, some of the shots were a little too intensely sensual even for FH...

George's work with Jesse also occurred in Berkeley. George is always looking for new models to collaborate with and Jesse answered an ad George had placed looking for models in the area. Jesse was attending culinary school, and shared that he had never modeled in the nude before. Even so, Jesse seemed totally comfortable in front of the camera, so much so, he got an erection almost immediately, and to George's surprise, began masturbating during the shoot on his own inspiration. Although I didn't know Jesse's shoot had such a climatic ending, I chose to feature George's images of him due to how comfortable and organically sexual he appeared in front of the camera. I also especially love how his long curls frame his face.

'I prefer shooting with natural light. I love the play of light and shadow on the body and frequently include some "bodyscape" shots in every shoot. I also enjoy the use of masks and other props during a shoot. So my shoots generally end up being some of this and some of that rather than being confined to one predetermined concept. I shoot both fine art and erotic so whatever the model is comfortable from mild to wild is fine with me. As a matter of fact not all of my shoots involve nudity at all. I'm perfectly happy doing clothed/costumed shoots as well. And, lastly I do not limit myself to models of any particular age range or body type. It's all good so long as the model is of legal age, has proper identification and signs a model release.'

Photography by George on ModelMayhem

Photography by George on Saatchi

Here Comes The Sun: Craig by Photography by George

Little darling 

It's been a long, cold lonely winter 

Little darling 

It feels like years since it's been here

As I sit down to write this I can hear the rain and wind outside.  It's a cold rain, almost a sleet.  The weather network promises that by early evening the rain will be turning to snow.  I'm used to snow in March, even April and sometimes early May.  This year more than most, I'm anxiously awaiting spring.  It's not even the warm temperatures I'm craving, it's the sun.  Even during the winter, we often get a lot of sun but his winter has been dark with moments of sun few and far between.

Recently, I watched the film The Sandpiper on TCM.  The 1965 Elizabeth Taylor flick was set in Monterey California.  I recognized some of the films incredible locations from the opening of HBO's Big Little Lies.  I was drawn to the film more for the scenery than the story, especially the intensity of the California sun. Today, hearing the cold rain tap down, seemed the perfect time for a heavy dose of virtual Vitamin D,

This especially delicious dose comes from Photography by George and a model I featured several times a few years ago.  Some of you may remember model Craig Brown from previous pieces featuring his work HERE: & HERE:  Craig actually lives in Monterey but drove about three hours East to shoot at George's home in Fresno.  Craig had seen George's work on Model Mayhem and got in touch about working together. 

'The first thing I noticed about Craig was his ruggedly handsome face.  During the shoot Craig was very professional and serious about his work.  I especially enjoyed his suggestions and his many creative ideas. '

George

There was no concept or theme set, other than the goal to create some creative nudes.  George did however pull out some props including some of his masks.  Craig also brought some of his own, including a tie dye shirt and the 831 numbers featured in the first image.  The 831 represent the area code for Craig's home in Monterey. 

I tend to perceive the Monterrey and Fresno area as being full of artists with liberal views on nudity.  George confirms there are plenty of artist in Monterey and the neighbouring towns of Carmel and Pacific Grove as well as a good number in Fresno.  This doesn't however, mean it's always easy to find models to pose nude.  From his experience, most of the models George finds to pose nude are from LA or the Bay Area.    

As you can see however, Craig was a welcomed exception and had no issue with posing nude.  I especially love how George incorporated the natural light from the sun in each image, both those shot outside as well as inside his home.  Craig is missing the California sun as well.  He's still modeling but recently left Monterey for Salt Lake City.

'I have always been an open minded free spirited person. t. How I feel about shooting nude is that we're all human, so we all have a body. What's different besides our names? We may look different but it's still just a body.'

Craig

Photography by George on Instagram

Photography by George on ModelMayhem

Craig Brown on Instagram

Craig Brown on ModelMayhem

Masked Eroticism by Photography By George

'A mask tells us more than a face'

Oscar Wilde

There is nothing more synonymous with Halloween than the mask.  When it comes to masks and Halloween, the images above are two of my all time favorites.  A frightening Halloween mask, and an incredibly hot naked body. The erotically horrifying trick or treater was captured by Photography by George, and I first discovered the image a few years ago, and immediately got in touch with George about featuring it on the site for Halloween.

Growing up in the 80's, most kids in my neighbourhood wore masks at Halloween. Although there were dozens of different characters available for purchase, there were a few obvious favorites. Although masks for Frankenstein and the princess were close seconds, the devil, the witch and the scary clown were most likely to come knocking at your door.  I wore all three during my time trick-or-treating having the most fun I think, being a sneaky little devil.

Many FH readers are familiar with the many masks, and the many persona's captured by George.  I featured his work as a life model and I've featured his naked ambition of a photographer of the male form. I've also featured many of George's shots featuring masks, mostly of animals.  Some of my favorites have included George's work with naked models with Rat, Hippo and Lion masks covering their faces and heads.  For this piece however, George sent images with masks connected to All Hallow's Eve. 

Most of the shots in this series were taken by George himself, but in a few them, he slipped on the mask himself.  In addition to being theatrical, with just a dash of fetishism, George's work is all about pushing boundaries, both visually, and for the models themselves. Many of the models George has photographed in their mask feel the need to keep their anonymity.  

Just like for most at Halloween, or for a theatre production, the goal of a mask is to disguise.  For some, the reason is their job. Not every career nor every boss is open to their employee's posing fully naked. For others, the reasons can more complex. It might be a relationship, or just a bit shyness.  For some though, it's just the thrill of anonymously posing naked.  Regardless of the reason, when in the mask, they're allowed the freedom of expression and to show sides of themselves that their face often won't allow. 

The Witch by Jesse Merrell

Photography by George on Instagram

When George Met George

Both the handsome man in the image above and the blue eyed beauty in the image below are named George. One of them, California photographer George Krause, I featured this past January in a piece showcasing his work with the curly haired Jesse. (Bidirectional Views) The third adorable male pictured is Boomer, the Bedlington Terrier responsible for the two George's actually meeting which eventually lead to this shoot.

'I prefer shooting with natural light. I love the play of light and shadow on the body.'

Boomer is Photography by George's dog and companion and it was a modeling gig of Boomer's that got the ball rolling. This brings us to Alissa, a young woman photographer George (confused yet) met when she worked at a local camera store. George got to know Alissa and she introduced him to Lomography, a style of photography using plastic cameras based on the quirky cameras by the Austrian camera manufacturer known as Lomo.

As a favor to photographer George, Alissa came to his home one afternoon to shoot he and Boomer. George had just recently acquired Boomer and wanted to get some shots of Boomer as well as he and Boomer together. Alissa didn't arrive at George's home by herself, she arrived with a hunky blonde assistant. The assistant was also named George and was Alissa's boyfriend at the time.

Although Boomer was the focus during Alissa's shoot, photographer George thought her assistant might also make an intriguing subject to focus his camera on. The shoot didn't happen right away, it was actually a couple of years after Alissa had shot he and Boomer, and after model George and Alissa had called it quits. Although on time when he arrived for Boomer's shoot, for his own time behind the lens, George arrived about a half hour late and more than a little hungover...

Nevertheless, photographer George decided to proceed and was happy with some of the great shots they were able to achieve. Photographer George loved model George's ruggedly handsome look and even hungover, I love how photographer George captured model George's beautiful blue eyes using natural light and shadow in his portrait shots. There is almost a look of sadness and regret... maybe missing Alissa?

Given he was obviously busy partying the night before, it wasn't a surprise George arrived unshaven, with a scruffy look that the George behind the lens thought worked and looked great on camera. Photographer George, as well as several other people who saw the images, did notice that although model George didn't have time to shave his face, he obviously did find time to shave in preparation for the shoot, but only his perfectly trimmed pubes. I guess he chose the area of his body he thought may be getting the most attention.

Both George's ended up enjoying the shoot and planned to get together for a second shoot, but model George ended up getting a job out of state before they could follow through with their plans. It would have been interesting to see what they came up creatively on a second shoot and what model George, may have chosen to shave in preparation. For the record, Boomer arrived right on time for his shoot, was completely sober and shaved absolutely nothing.

Photography by George on ModelMayhem