Maintenance Man, by Michael Brown

Plumbing is a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!  The fun and flirty message print on the underwear from my most recent photoshoot grabbed the attention of artist extraordinaire Michael Brown, who transformed one of my B&W images into a masterpiece!

Since discovering his work on Facebook, I've always tried to stay on his radar and hoped that one of my images would inspire him to pick up his crafty pen.  Shortly after I released my B&W series, Mikey took notice and requested permission to draw the plumber picture.  Not only is he exceptionally talented with the pen but maintains the warmest personality and a generous sensibility!

I'm hoping to collaborate with Mr. Brown in the near future on other images from the B&W series and possibly upcoming shoots.  Please visit his website here for more samples of his stellar penmanship.

Summer Editorial, by Miguel Suarez

My first feature of 2012!  Gracing the pages of WowWow, a London-based website featuring established and emerging artists in stylish photography and modeling, this black & white stylish set by photographer Miguel Suarez found its way to publication!

I must admit, I took some time off from the modeling scene to focus on friends, family, and myself which included a complete overhaul of my fitness regimen.  Plus I just wanted a break from it - I was shooting way too often with an uncertain purpose.  I was lost.  Not taking any credit away from the photographers, but my expressions were flat, my poses were dull and forced, and it didn't seem like I was really enjoying myself in front of the camera.

So after taking hiatus and learning to have fun and focus on other things in my life, I've been able to return to the modeling scene with a fresher mindset and a new outlook on the industry.  This new series of images from photographer Miguel Suarez marks a breakthrough for me personally.  Not only am I quite proud of them but I pushed myself creatively to achieve a higher standard of what I'm capable of.  I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I enjoyed creating them!      .

Top 5 Finalist for Adam Bouska Photoshoot Contest

First of all, I want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who contributed in voting for my image in the Adam Bouska Photoshoot Contest. All of your gracious "likes" and comments have landed me as a top 5 finalist, quite an achievement in its own right!

But I still need your help! For the entire month of May, it's up to Adam's fans to decide who will be chosen to model for Adam Bouska. This is the final round, so your votes and feedback are even more crucial as the competition tightens and the pressure builds to determine who will become the winner.

Since most of you have already become fans of the Adam Bouska page (and for those who haven't, what are you waiting for?), all you have to do is provide comments or "like" on my image so that he'll be persuaded to shoot with me. It's really that easy!

Simply click here and provide your feedback - http://on.fb.me/jVXaT3
Oh, and don't forget to share on your wall and convince others to vote as well! :)

Thanks in advance for your consideration and your time. Regardless of the outcome, it's been a great adventure and I thank you for being part of it!

Adam Bouska Photoshoot Campaign

On the eve of returning to Washington DC to spread love with his NOH8 campaign on May 30th, celebrity photographer Adam Bouska announced that he's hosting a photo contest on his Facebook fanpage. The winner will receive a custom photo shoot at his studio in Los Angeles, CA.  As you can see from these samples, his work is nothing short of brilliant!

Needless to say, I've long been a fan of Bouska's photography before NOH8 surfaced, so when I read the news on his blog I took advantage of this opportunity by posting "Pinup" on his fanpage. I've since been soliciting votes ("likes") from my friends on Facebook to help me reach the top, so hopefully my efforts will pay off in the end.  Wish me luck!  

Here's how to vote:

1. Become a fan of Adam Bouska - www.facebook.com/AdamBouska

2. Scroll down the page to find the image you see to the left (or click the pic)


3. "Like" the image.

4. "Share" with others on your wall.

TeamDC Fashion Show & Model Search Recap

What an exciting weekend it was to be in the nation's capital!  Members of the DC community and beyond came out in droves to support TeamDC's annual fundraising event (see my previous post here), held March 12, 2011.  The struggling economy did not inhibit folks from opening their wallets to help raise money for local GLBT scholarships, as TeamDC raised well over $7,000.

It was an amazing evening, and I was proud to announce that my good friend Micah had taken top honors as the event's winner!  His aggressive marketing strategy, tight connections within the DC community, strikingly sexy features (sparkling blue eyes, tattoos, baby face, chiseled body...need I say more?), and recent publications for his modeling work made him the odds-on favorite.  

After having commercial success in the 2010 Ripped Genes Calendar, an EthanSays exclusive, a potential photoshoot with notable fashion photographer, Mike Ruiz, and a booking with personal friend and all-time favorite YMIJ, Micah's modeling career is now set to soar!  As a personal trainer for the U.S. Military, I'm happy to hand over my crown to him and feel he will represent the interests of TeamDC while fulfilling his reign with confidence!

For more information on TeamDC and its mission, please visit their website here.
Video footage courtesy of Aram Vartian. For more images from the night's festivities, please visit the Metro Weekly's "Scene" section here.

Photoshoot Preview: West Phillips

It's been quite some time since my last photoshoot, but that's okay because I've taken myself out of modeling for a few months to focus on family, friends, and fitness.  This weekend will be quite an exciting one as I will be judging the TeamDC fashion show / model search competition on Saturday!  (See my earlier write-up here).  I have several friends competing so it'll be a personal challenge as well as a professional one, but I'm looking forward to it and wish them all the best of luck!

Sunday, however, I'll be participating in a photoshoot production that will include San Francisco photographer, West Phillips!  It will consist of makeup artists, a talented videographer (MetroWeekly's Aram Vartian), production assistants, and models from the competition.  Should be an interesting and fun collaboration of many individuals and I'm thrilled to be part of this.

For a glimpse of West Phillip's photography, please enjoy samples of his work.  You can also visit his portfolio on Facebook by clicking here.

2011 TeamDC Fashion Show & Model Search

TeamDC's annual fundraising event returns to Town Danceboutique in support of their College Scholarship Program that assists LGBT student-athletes from local surrounding areas of DC, MD, and VA.  Once again, TeamDC will host a fashion show/model search consisting of 13 models who will be judged on clubwear/jeans, swimwear, an online voting portion, and an auction round to help raise money for TeamDC's scholarship fund.

In addition to the $500 First Place Prize, the model with the highest score will win a professional photoshoot from Robert Mercer Photography, be on the cover of the May issue of Compete Magazine and have the opportunity to audition for one of the coveted months in the 2012 Ripped Genes Calendar.  However, most importantly, the event will help raise money for the College Scholarship Program that the Team DC Board donates to and has done so for four consecutive years.

So why am I promoting this aside from the fact my image is being used?  Well, you may recall my own efforts in self-marketing last year, which paid off in dividends as I was crowned the winner in 2010, will be returning to this event as a panel judge, and was named Mr. March 2012 for the current edition of the Ripped Genes Calendar.  I'd be foolish not to promote awareness for this charitable cause, least of all the springboard it's given me into various other avenues of modeling in which I've been pursuing.  It's going to be a nail-biter, though - these models are smokin' hot!

To vote for your favorite model, please visit TeamDC's website here. Remember, you can vote every 24 hours, so show your support regularly! Good luck to all the superstars!

Reflections of Eros

Eros (or Cupid in Roman myths), the young Greek God of Love, is known in mythology to exemplify sexual love and universal passion. His bold physique and striking features were often admired by deities; legend has it that his radiance was often too inspiring for mortals to bear.
  

Eros lost his heart to the mortal Psyche but constantly feared for her safety.  He made Psyche swear that she would never look fully upon his face, only visiting her at night.  Psyche's family insisted that Eros must be a grotesque and dangerous monster.

In retaliation, she lights a lamp and sees his glorious beauty, making her hands tremble and shake feverishly!  A few drops of hot oil spilled upon Eros, which caused him to fly away from her in physical pain compounded by the pain of knowing she doubted him.  He later recovers and rescues Psyche, the only mortal who stole his heart.  

  

As an homage to the young God Eros, this labor-of-love series as featured on Beautifulmag consists of newly-redesigned images from photographer Robert Mercer, Jr., visionary of the Ripped Genes calendars, and graphic artist Manny Fontanilla!  May the spirit of Cupid's arrow fill your hearts this Valentine's Day!

Visit Beautifulmag's website at www.beautifulmag.com or become their fan on Facebook here.

To view more of photographer Robert Mercer's portfolio, click here.

And to inquire further about Manny Fontanilla's graphic design, visit his work on Facebook here.