More Than Initially Meets The Eye: Dakota Charles by Steve Jerome

'I am almost always in awe of the model for his willingness to share his most intimate feelings and private parts with the viewer. I respect the model's openness and willingness to share. And I certainly hope that those who view the images are able to share my feelings as well.'

Steve Jerome

Ok, before you get lost in this set of images, go back and look at the image at top of the page I chose for pic of the day. It also won photographer Steve Jerome a well deserved win on Model Mayhems pic of the day contest. I loved the pose, the mood set and model Dakota Charles' beautiful face, eyes and hair. The pose, and the angle Steve shot reminded me a bit of Chris Hemsworth with his Thor look.

So yes, I mentioned face, eyes and of course Dakota's great head of hair. I am not deliberately ignoring the obvious, Dakota certainly does have a long list of impressive physical features. As beautiful as all of those features are, especially as shot by Steve, They, (it) was not the main reason I so wanted to featured Steve's work with San Diego based model.

The Internet is full of impressive bodies, and body parts. Most of those images, and most of those models we breeze past quickly though, giving them little more than a quick glance before moving on. Steve's images of Dakota had me longing to see more. Dakota just has that rare, unique quality that fills a picture with his personality and aura. His hair is of course incredibly sexy and his hazel eyes are both intelligent and kind. There is something clearly chilled about Dakota, it is in his unassuming confidence and his incredibly sly and sexy grin. Although we might be impressed with dimension, Dakota appears to care less.

Now, I am sure he cares, but I love that it is not his focus, Dakota's focus seems concentrating on connecting emotionally with the camera and those enjoying his images. Steve describes the shoot as enjoyable throughout. Dakota had asked in advance about bringing his wife along to the shoot. Although many photographers feel significant others may stilt a model's comfortability, Steve always welcomes relatives of friends as his experiences is it usually helps them feel more comfortable. 'You always know that your results will be good when the model is at ease and has the desire to do well.'

Dakota is interested in all aspects of modeling, but finds that the industry is a difficult nut to crack. 'There always seems to be one element missing each time," he says. "It is either my hair or my weight or something else. I don't mind hard work and also enjoy learning about the other side of the camera and editing. If you ever need a hand on a shoot these muscles do more than look good :)' Although I compared his look to Chris Hemsworth, Steve says in person, Dakota also reminded him of Leonardo DiCaprio. Hard to believe with that combo, success isn't just up ahead

Although they did not have perfect weather for the outdoor shots, Steve shares that Dakota was more than willing to brave the somewhat uncomfortable conditions outside in the buff. Steve says that Dakota's long hair gave them the opportunity to shoot a variety of looks with his hair pulled back and flowing fully for some great contrasting shots. If you can't get enough of Dakota, check out Steve's site where you can see more of his work, and check out prints, with Dakota and others models. Also, check out a few more images from this shoot on the FH Over-Flow!

'A model's status as straight, bi or gay means nothing to me. What matters is the model's personality and willingness to commit to the endeavour. Almost all of the models I shoot are comfortable with nudity before I even meet them, but what means more than being willing to take off their clothes is their willingness to let their personality shine through the camera lens. Only a few of the men I've shot have so much confidence that they need no coaching. Most want direction from me, and I am more than happy to provide it. I know what I want to see from each model, and when I communicate that correctly, the results are spectacular. My appreciation of what they have to offer almost always comes through in the photography.'

Steve Jerome

Steve Jerome

Steve Jerome on ModelMayhem

Dakota Charles on Model Mayhem & Instagram

Once In A Life Time: Seth Sorenson by Steve Jerome

'Without a doubt, Seth is one of the most beautiful men I have had the pleasure to photograph.'

Steve Jerome

Under my 'welcome' on the right side of the blog, I write that FH is not just focused on the current, but favorites from years gone by. I think San Diego photographer Steve Jerome is a great example of why only focusing only the here and now would mean missing out on so many incredible images of the male form. Yes, Steve is shooting some of today's hottest men, including Dakota Charles who introduced me to Steve's imagery last November, and Quinn Christopher Jaxon last month. But.. delving into the archives often unearths some of the most stunning of treasures.

I am sure some of you have seen the image above, not one of Steve's, but from photographer Keith Munyan. Many of you who collected Playgirl through the years might recognize the shot from a 2005 special issue of the magazine, Men At The Beach.  That man on the beach is Seth Sorenson, model that Steve had the pleasure of meeting and shooting when Seth had just started to step in front of the camera. Steve shot Seth just after he graced the cover of Men's Fitness, but just before he took off, for taking it all off, for Playgirl Magazine.

'I thoroughly enjoyed his company and loved showing him my hometown of Chicago, enjoying some of the best pizza and Italian food the city has to offer. I recorded almost everything we did and later released a DVD called Seth Sorenson Unedited that was a hit with his fans. I still have copies and like to look back on what I did very early on in my career.'

'Seth came to our Chicago facility when he first started modeling his exceptional good looks and incredible body, but he has since been living and working in San Diego and has developed a large following of adoring fans (for good reason) from all around the world. He also started a successful sports and fitness website that offers advice on how to maintain a healthy, near perfect body.'

Seth has that 'it' factor that photographers, and lovers of images of the male form, saw right away. His incredible body is important of course, but I think it was that face, Seth's beautiful blue eyes and adorable grin, and maybe just a bit of an 'awe shucks', sweet, but not cocky attitude that drew so many fans his way. Seth, who also went under the name of Jeremy Markum, built up a large fan base in the 2000's for his modeling and video work. I am sure that Seth was a part of many our early experiences with the male nude after we started our Google searches for naked men after first getting on the net!

'Seth came to Chicago and spent an entire weekend with me shooting, so we played around with all sorts of images, poses and lighting (studio and natural). He was amazing, to say the least. He was willing to try everything and really opened up during the weekend shoot.'

' Young, gorgeous and built, he turned heads everywhere we went.  I remember going to a Tower Records and having him purchase a copy of the fitness magazine that featured him on the cover. The clerk looked up and said, "that's you, isn't it?" and the smile on his face was precious.'

That video Steve shot, Seth Sorenson unedited, was Steve's first foray into video. Steve's first film, The Blue Velvet Video, a softcore video featuring an array of gorgeous men in the buff, won Steve a couple of awards. Thanks to Steve for sharing his early work with Seth, and you can check out more of Steve's images with Seth, and check out the many prints available, on Steve' site HERE:

'Seth is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime find and one stunning example of a man.'

Steve Jerome Photography

Steve Jerome on ModelMayhem

Face Value: Tristan by Steve Jerome

. 'Tristan was totally comfortable with it from the start.'

Steve Jerome

I often discuss how it' usually a single image that draws my interest and motivates me to want to see more.  That image, nine times out of ten, is usually a portrait or face shot.  As many beautiful bodies as I've uncovered on the site, many shot by photographer Steve Jerome, my interest is usually piqued by a model's face.  In the case of Tristan, it was the shot above.

I was scrolling through the many folders on Steve's Bentbox site when I saw the image of Tristan.  The folder was titled 'Young Showoff'  and I certainly wanted to see more.  I had no idea what Tristan looked like from the neck down, nor did I really care.  That face had me quickly getting in touch with Steve about seeing more, and featuring his work with Tristan on the site.

 

If you haven't heard of Bentbox, be sure to check out Steve's page.  Unlike most sites, that charge a recurring monthly payment, on Bentbox, you can just purchase the images of the model that you like.  A one time payment for the full model of the model you choose.  Tristan wasn't the only model who's cover photo had me wanting to see more and Steve sent on a few other of my favorites that I'll be featuring in the future.

'I'm always interested in outlets to show my work, and being able to sell photo sets was very attractive to me. I now have more than 110 sets (boxes) on the site. Some have a handful of photos; others have several dozen images. Boxes are priced based on how much content there is.  Tristan's folder has 33 images in his set. '

I've always been drawn to the way Steve captures the male form, and although it was his face that initially grabbed my attention, the rest of him most certainly doesn't disappoint!  Some of you may have seen Tristan Matthews face and body before. Tristan's been working in the adult film industry for over seven years.  It wasn't his work in film however, that first brought he and Steve together, it wasn't his modeling either.

Steve working on a shoot, but Tristan wasn't one of the models.  Tristan was hired by the L.A. company as a helper, assisting with the setup for the shoot.  Steve was first struck by Tristan's masculine looks, but it wasn't Steve who first first brought up a possible collaboration. Tristan likes to chat, and during the shoot he brought up having posed nude before and asked about working with Steve.  Not surprisingly, Steve responded favorably and a date for a shoot was quickly planned.

'The nice thing about Tristan's shoot was how comfortable he was from the very beginning. He was easy to direct, and he also had a few ideas of his own...'

Steve Jerome on Bentbox

Steve Jerome on FH:

Age of Opportunity: Matt by Steve Jerome

'Matt was fond of nudity and loved being in front of the camera.'

Steve Jerome

So many of life's milestones are marked by age.  At 16, most of us headed directly to the DMV.  At 18, some, but far too few of us, voted for the first time.  At 21, (19 in Canada) most of us took our first (legal) drink of alcohol.

Traditionally these age related events have marked important points in growing up.  As time goes on however, and with technology becoming a more invasive part of our lives, these milestone dates have become blurred.  Not everyone waits until they're of legal age to try certain things.  Most of us tried alcohol and weed years before our 21st birthday.

In most places, you must be 18 to pose without clothing,.  With everyone though having cell phones, and the ability to take selfies, the issue has become muddied. Although mental maturity isn't necessarily connected to age, given the ramifications, and potential risks to future careers goals, having a minimum age of 18 has been a useful way to ensure fewer models get in over their heads before they're ready.

There are many models who are eager, and anticipate their 18th birthday in order to step in front of the lens, step in front of an artist or art class, and begin making money from their love of being naked.  Although posing in front of others might be a terrifying experience for some, for others, it's an exciting and stimulating part of who they are and how they express themselves.  Matt was one of those models.

'Matt came to me on his 18th birthday and said he was interested in doing nude photos. As I do with everyone, I asked a slew of questions to make sure he was not doing it for the wrong reasons.'

Steve Jerome

Not all photographers are as respectful as Steve Jerome, but Steve is always careful when shooting a model nude, especially a new model, shooting nude for the first time.  Steve takes the time to go over the process, how the images will be used, and the possible ramifications.  With Matt, there wasn't a hint of hesitation.   Even so, given it was his first time shooting nude, after the shoot, Steve said he'd process the shots, show them to Matt but not post anything in case he had a change of heart.  As you can see, he didn't, in fact Matt called Steve a few days after that first shoot, wanting to do another.

'Matt was a high school football quarterback who was living in a military town at the time, Matt knew what he wanted and was confident in himself. We forged a friendship that lasted for several years. He eventually became a father, worked a construction job, and we eventually lost touch.  Hopefully someday we'll reconnect and he'll return for another shoot!'

Steve Jerome

Steve Jerome on Bentbox

Semi-Tough: Clayton by Steve Jerome

'It was Clayton's first time taking his clothes off for a photographer, so the early photos were a little stiff looking. After a while, he really loosened up and let his guard down. That made the session much more productive!'

Steve Jerome

They say that the best gifts come in small packages, but in Clayton's case, I think larger certainly fits the bill.  I certainly got a gift when I recently discovered Clayton's folder of images, a folder I'd forgotten, and thought I must have deleted.  Although this is Clayton's first appearance on FH, it's not the first time he's been mentioned in a story....

Some of you may remember my piece featuring Steve Jerome's images of Trevor from early this year.  (Student Athlete)  In that piece, Steve shared that Trevor hadn't actually intended to model, but came as support to a friend who was modeling nude for the first time.  That friend he came to support was Clayton.

Trevor obviously got the modeling bug after watching Clayton's shoot, and checking out the incredible shots that resulted.  Clayton's confidence must have rubbed off, as before leaving, Trevor told Steve, he might be interested in a shoot of his own.

Who can blame him, Clayton looks incredible in this series of images.  Trevor also observed the San Diego based photographer couch Clayton through his first nude shoot, and saw the confidence he felt during and after his work with Steve.

'Clayton was clearly the "alpha" who came with his mind made up that he wanted to pose for nude images that show off his masculine body. We are all glad that he made this decision so that we could all enjoy his great physique and youthful exuberance.'

'With his friend at his side during the photo session, Clayton was at ease with being naked. It did take a bit of coaching to get his to smile; he seemed to be intent on looking tough, which made it a bit tough to get the more friendly looks.'

Steve Jerome

Although smiling may have been initially a struggle, Clayton's great  face and beautiful eyes light up in front of Steve's lens.  Being an athlete, Clayton was self assured and at ease showing off his body.  Clayton works out almost every day and is seriously looking to pursue sports as a career.  As for Trevor's shoot, the buddy system was again applied. Clayton returned the favor and returned with his friend a few weeks later to help boost his confidence and offer support during his friends first nude photo session.

Steve Jerome on BentBox

Steve Jerome on ModelMayhem