Atmospheric Assessor: Jason by Shax Carter

'When I happen across a model that I enjoy working with, and vice versa, I try to make them the focus of my independent work for a period of time, sometimes, as with Jason, it our work continued well over a year.'

Shax Carter

One of the joys of working on FH is the connections that I've made.  I'm also always appreciative that in field full of talented photographers, so many artists, generously point me in the direction of another. It was one of my favorite  photographers to feature, Jay from Unlimited Male Photo, who encouraged me to check out the work of Shax Carter.   

Jay had connected with Shax on Instagram and really liked his work and thought Shax's imagery would be a great addition to the site.  After a quick glace at Shax's Instagram portfolio, I readily agreed.  I really loved the selection of models that Shax worked with and the locations he used and poses and way in which he spotlighted the man in front of his lens. I was especially impressed with the tone and atmosphere that Shax created with each shoot and with each shot.

If you watch many movies, you know great filmmakers often start with an establishing shot.  This shot or scene sets the feel and tone of the film, pulling the audience into an alternate world and into the story.  Given Shax is also a filmmaker, editor and producer, it 's not surprising he so skillfully and seamlessly creates visuals with a unique feel to draw the viewer in.

When I was going through Shax's work, I was captivated by how both modern and retro elements were so beautifully woven together.  His work and images are contemporary, yet there was a retro feel I really loved.  I especially felt this in the images in his port of Jason.

Jason has such a great look, a great body and a classically handsome face with great facial structure.  In some images, especially the portrait shots, Jason looks like he should be modeling menswear for GQ Magazine.  Look a closer though, and there's an erotic edge, it's in his eyes and how he interacts with the camera.

As his shirt becomes open, and his clothing comes off, this erotic edge takes on an even greater intensity.  I also felt that mix of modern and retro in Jason's look, with an almost seventies vibe in so many of Shax's visuals..  I really love Jason's long hair, and his natural body hair and how Shax so candidly went for the close-ups, capturing Jason's raw sexuality in so m any of his images.

Shax first connected with Jason on a modeling form.  Jason was an experienced model but was interested in getting some updated images for his portfolio.  Shax really liked his look and a first shoot was quickly set up.  That first shoot went so well, for both Shax and Jason, that they worked together several more times, and in several different locations, over the first two years of the pandemic. 

With each new shoot, and with each new location, Shax attempted to create a different theme, and set a different tone.  It helped in creating different looks, that Jason's hair also changed, both in length and in color over the course of their time working together.  For their second shoot, Jason arrived as a blond.  Although Jason's look may have been different, unique tone, and the raw sexuality remained beautifully intact.  You can check out the results yourself by heading over to PAGE 2 HERE:

Shax Carter

Shax Carter on Instagram

A Winter's Retreat: Jason by Shax Carter

'Our work continued well over a year.'

Shax Carter

This past September, I featured the work of photographer Shax Carter and his work with Jason. (HERE:)  I was encouraged by Jay from Unlimited Male to check Shax's portfolio and I'm certainly glad that I did.  When I was viewings Shax's portfolio, I was immediately drawn to the photographers work with Jason.

I loved the angle of the back and butt shot and Jason's beautiful dark hair and natural body hair.  When Shax sent on his work with Jason he shared that they'd worked together several times over the course of a year.  Shax enjoys focusing on one model when he's able as it gives him the chance to capture different looks, work in different locations and build a creative connection over the course of their work together.

I was surprised just how many different styles and themes Shax and Jason shot together.  I was especially surprised at the changes in Jason's appearance.  The clean shaven model with sleek dark hair in the first set of images had a classically handsome look, perfect for the pages of GQ Magazine.  

In the second set of images, Jason had grown some sexy scruff on his face, matching the hair on his legs and on his butt.  His hair was also lighter and tousled, more Kurt Cobain, and suited for the cover of Rolling Stone or SPIN magazine than for GQ.  

When I first went through the images, I admit I had a preference for his dark hair and clean shaven look.  In part, I think it was because it was that look, that I first saw when checking out Shax's work.  As I spent more time with Shax's shots however, Jason's scruffy, sexy blond look took the lead by a mile. 

I especially loved this set of shots.  I tucked them away due to the location.  I loved the wood and the cabin Shax shot at, and thought it would be a great piece for the winter.  Although most people head to the cabins in the woods in the summer, I love a winter retreat with little to do but enjoy a fire and hikes and acclivities that only the surrounding woods can provide. 

As hot as Jason looks completely nude, I though Shax's choice to shoot him in only white Calvin Klein's and cowboy boots was an inspired choice.  Jason rocks that look and this set of images definitely became my favorites. 

Shax Carter Photography

Shax Carter on Instagram

Masterful Magic: Atlas Kolbjörn by Shax Carter

'I have nicknamed Shax Merlin because he must be a wizard to make me look as good as he does.'

Atlas

There is definitely a bit of magic in photography, and a bit of Merlin in all great photographers.  Sure, skill is certainly required, but it also takes a slight of hand to summon rays of light to cascade so beautifully over the human body.  Striking images of the male form combine both reality with illusion, they blend what is present and visible, with all that an inventive imagination can conjure up and create.

Thanks to a suggestion from Unlimited Male, I was first introduced to the work of photographer and filmmaker Shax Carter last summer.  I first featured Shax's imagery last September spotlighting his creative collaborations with model Jason. (HERE:)    Shax shared that when he meets a model that inspires him, and that he enjoys working with, he likes to make them the focus of his work over a period of time.

Shax's work with Jason included several shoots that spanned the course of a year.  I really loved seeing seeing the changes in both the work, and Jason's look, throughout the three shoots that I featured on the site.  Shortly after posting his work with Jason, I noticed images from his work with model Atlas Kolbjörn on Instagram.  20 year old Atlas has a great look I was immediately drawn to.  He bends his youthful good looks with a mature confidence that brings a unique energy to each images that Shax so beautifully captures.

I didn't want to get ahead of myself, however so decided to wait until I finished the series featuring Jason before bugging Shax about featuring Atlas.  This proved beneficial as like his work with Jason, Shax and Atlas were in the middle of a series of shoots.  Starting last spring, they have worked together  three times, the most recent, a winter shoot completed at the end of December.  As eager as I am to feature the most recent shoot, I wanted to start at the beginning, with the images from their first two shoots together.

Shax and Atlas connected on-line, and were both eager to work together.  New to modeling, Atlas was looking forward to building his portfolio and focusing on the working great photographers to focus on the professional side of the modeling industry.  After checking out Shax's portfolio, he was anxious to get together and see what they might create together.

'The first thing that struck me about Shax's work was how clear the images were.  Since I'd never done modeling before. I have since nicknamed Shax Merlin because he must be a wizard to make me look as good as he does.'

Atlas

For Shax, the goal of the first shoot was predominantly a chance to meet, get to know each other and to gauge Atlas's level of comfortability.  Shax describes Atlas as initially very polite, yet at the same time, he could tell he was looking forward to the shoot and to capturing some great shots.  They initially started off with portraits and worked through various poses with different pieces of wardrobe.  As they continued to shoot, a creative rapport quickly developed. 

'I'm pretty positive that this was Atlas's first shoot ever, and we worked our way into shooting a few nudes, after first doing portraits, different wardrobes and underwear shots. He was comfortable with everything from the beginning, there was no awkwardness. As we progressed, he was comfortable just sitting around and relaxing while I changed lenses/lighting. '

Shax

'Shax was super fun to work with because we would feed off of each other's ideas. He would give a suggestion and I would build on it until each shot was masterful.'

Atlas

This series of images are all from their first shoot together.  Shax brought several wardrobe options to the shoot and asked Atlas to bring along some of his favorite pieces as well.  Even though his was his first official photo shoot, Atlas exudes a confidence and natural sensuality in front of Shax' lens and I especially love so many of the creative poses they were able to capture.  If you want to see the results of their second shoot together, check out more on the NEXT PAGE HERE:

Atlas Kolbjörn on Instagram \ Twitter

& Check out Atlas' new website HERE:

Shax Carter Photography

Shax Carter on Instagram

Dirty Blond: Jason by Shax Carter

For this shoot, photographer Shax Carter began the shoot in an outdoor location, contrasting Jason's beauty with natural beauty and colors around him.  For the remainder of the shoot, they shot inside and utilized the natural light at the side of the bed.

Shax Carter:

Artistic Origins: 

I became interested in filmmaking at an early age and when I was 10, I started making short little films with my friends. This led to taking photography and journalism classes in high school, and in college I majored in motion picture production, with a minor in photography/photojournalism.

First Models:

I often used my roommates/friends as subjects for lighting/photography, which led to doing nudes as well. We were friends and comfortable around each other so the nudity was fun and never awkward. Something I still do to this day when photographing a new model nude is to create a bond/friendship with them before shooting to hopefully relax and let them feel completely comfortable.. 

Remote Locations:

A few weeks ago I did a shoot with a model at a location that was so remote, (no cell signal or wireless) that every time the model and I went into town to get food or supplies, we got lost while returning, and had to drive around aimlessly until we found the location again - to the point that it became a joke haha. While there, we were frequently interrupted by local wildlife, including deer, and even enormous snapping turtles, but thankfully no bear! 

As with their first shoot, I love the mood and atmosphere Shax created, aided by the light and muted colors and sensual poses Jason creates.  I also loved, also featured in their first creative collaboration, that Shax ensures to focus on Jason's beautiful back and backside.  

I love Jason's the sprawling branches on Jason's back tattoo and how they spread from the middle of his back outwards.  I equally enjoyed the beautifully overt eroticism with Jason's sprawling poses and the spreading his legs in the last few poses.

Shax Carter

Shax Carter on Instagram