'My philosophy of beauty is that there are no rules.'
Most artists and creatives understand that rules are usually just a hindrance. Imaginations don't need roadblocks or boundaries, they just need stimulation and time. Sure, if you're shooting commercially, for a job or a client, there are usually annoying guidelines that have to be followed. When creating independently though, for passion or pleasure or for creative release, abandoning all preconceived notions and rules is the necessary first step.
It's difficult to abandon rules, they're drilled into our brains earliest memories. Our parents and teachers mean well, they're trying to keep us safe, but art and safety don't really go hand in hand. Art is about risk, and I knew the first time I discovered Richard's (
The Third Eye) work, rules were not apart of the equation. Richard doesn't choose the models he works with because of their looks, although most are incredibly good looking. Richard doesn't choose his models due to whether they can make him money or not, although many have gone on to be successful commercial models. Richard uses his third eye, the one that most seamlessly rejects rule, to guide him to a quality he wants to spend time with, and get to know through his images.
Many photographers send on images, and share a brief description of the shoot that tells me little about what they were trying to capture. The model will also often shoot on their thoughts on themselves and the shoot and I find it hard to find a nexus between the words and the visual. It's often because the photographer stuck too closely to the rules, not taking the necessary risks to go beyond the surface of the human form in front of them.
Then, there times, when a photographers sends on a series of images, and I feel everything about the process, before being sent, or reading a word about the process. That's pretty much what happened when Richard sent on his work with
Marcus. You'll read their comments below, but almost everything they share, is captured within these shots, in Marcus' eyes and poses, from their two shoots together. I'm not that sure Richard has ever commented specifically about a model's body, nor how cooperative or skilled they were in front of the camera. Richard's commentary is usually about who they are, what his first impressions were, and what about them caused him to want to photograph them. With Marcus, it was all about his style.
'I have known Marcus a year or two. I have loved his look from the first time I photographed him. He has a radiant personality and has a unique style that is all his own. He is a definite risk taker and trend setter in fashion and it pays off. It is obvious he has a “charmed life style” full of fun, friends and exciting places. My thought is that you could follow him any given day and produce exciting photos, just in everyday life.' Marcus remembers being surprised when Richard first direct messaged him about doing a photoshoot. Marcus hadn't modeled before, but had always wanted to model. Although impressed with Richard's work, he noted it was it was Richard's kindness that made the biggest first impression
'Our time together shooting has been fun, creative, and a great experience. Rick is a great photographer but when he is not taking photos, he is the sweetest man. His kindness is what keeps me coming back. He and I are very comfortable around each other which makes it easier to express myself in my photos and just have fun.'During their shoots, Marcus credits the music for helping to transform him into character and bring on emotions and alter his mood. Sad songs bring on certain emotions that impact both his facial expressions and how he moves. Up tempo songs increase his energy and love songs, they bring on a more erotic feel which comes out through his movements and poses. Marcus shares that he has danced and played sports his entire life and his long lean and flexible look is something that comes naturally.
Although
Dance like nobody's watching is an overused phrase, it still remains a powerful one for me. I often ask models what song they played in their bedroom as a kid, that song that had them locking the door and dancing like the were center stage as the star of their own show. The song that caused them to ignore any rules they might have when dancing in front of others, and drop any risk of being judged by others. That feeling, one of pure joy is one so many of us have forgotten.
'Most of these photos where created with love songs playing in the back ground. I have never been in a relationship so I have never been in love. Music is what makes me feel the emotions that others go through with love. In my photos, I was either posing with the pure joy of being in love or the on the opposite end of the love scale, with the emptiness from the lack of love.
Whether with joy or sadness, the poses were presented in an androgynous and erotic way. All of the clothes were mine and. I try to express who I am through the clothes that I wear. To be able to take beautifully captured photos with Rick is angling me toward what I truly want to be doing with myself and that is modeling capturing emotions, style, eroticism, and so much more.'Marcus
As much as he loves clothes, and how they make him feel, Marcus shares that shooting without any was also expressively freeing. His first nude shoot with Richard was a little over a year ago, but even then, it was nervousness that he felt. Marcus is proud of the body that God blessed him with, and shooting naked has only increased his confidence.
'My philosophy of beauty is that there are no rules. All of our bodies are very different and that is what makes a photo most beautiful. We all can put on the same clothes and take photos. The true beauty for me, is what's underneath, the true beauty of our individual bodies, not covered or bound by clothing or rules.'Marcus
'Marcus certainly has the “it” factor and uses it to his advantage. It is fun to watch him move through life in such special ways on Social Media. The other outstanding feature of Marcus is concern and respect for others. It was not surprise to receive a call from him the other night when storms moved through my area, making sure I was ok. Marcus is just this kind of guy.'
