'As a kid who played hockey, locker rooms were both an exciting and a dangerous place.'
Tye Briggs
I wrote about my experience in hockey locker rooms a couple of years ago in a Canada Day themed piece about hockey. ((With Glowing Hearts, We See Thee Rise) I have vivid memories of the sights and the smells, but given I was still deep in the closet, I spent most of my time, trying not to be noticed looking around.... I certainly caught glimpses of my fellow team mates in their jock straps, and in less, but they were usually quick flashes as I kept my eyes and head constantly in motion.
Looking back, I really wish I'd been more relaxed, you miss a lot when you're constantly ducking and weaving. It's fascinating to me however, that all those private peeks probably played a large part in why I began, and continue with the site. FH provides a long, leisurely look at work of artists we admire, and the men we love, lust over and appreciate. There's never any hurry to turn away, nor ever any risk or judgement.
Today, we're heading into the locker room to enjoy Dave's (Immortal Form) work with Ethan. I try when possible to feature Canadian photographers on July 1st, and FH may remember the Ottawa based photographer's work with Matt last Canada Day. (Cling Wrap) Dave's work with Ethan was perfect for the day, and his story about the shoot, only enhanced my enjoyment. Although I may have been a bit nervous being caught looking at hot hockey players in their jock straps, Ethan was a little nervous about sliding his underwear off...
There were no nerves on Ethan's first shoot with Dave. It was back in 2015, and the focus of their work together was headshots and some fashion work. Dave was in a job he wasn't really enjoying, and wanted to see if modeling might be a possibility. Dave certainly thought he had the looks, and a slim, built physique due to all the sports he played.
The first shoot took place outside, and the parking garage location, was great for light and creating many great, and gritty shots. Ethan was really happy with the photos, and set up a modeling account. Before he was able to connect with other photographers however, he got another job, and had to head up North for work as a fire ranger and first responder. Dave continued to talk with Ethan on and off and Dave eventually brought up the idea of a nude shoot. Ethan was up for it, but Dave could tell he was a little nervous. Given Ethan's love of the game, Dave suggested a hockey themed shoot. Ethan loved the idea, and liked the idea of starting the shoot in his uniform before removing it for the nude part of the shoot.
'The day of the shoot was a Saturday and we started with portraits and some fashion shots to help him relax and get into the modeling "groove". Normally Ethan's hair is much shorter but he came back from up north with the big hair style you see. I think Ethan had gotten one shoot in with a friend of mine before going north so he was still fairly new to modeling.'
'Ethan then put on the hockey equipment, including a t-shirt and underwear. I had him pose in various looks and holding the stick in some positions with interesting angles. He was more relaxed so I asked him to remove the shirt. We did some more portraits then I had him start to do some slapshots. I figured if he was doing something he was very familiar with it would help him relax more. Motions like that can be very meditative, especially ones you've been practicing thousands of times since childhood. '
'This was Ethan's first nude shoot and only the third time he'd posed, so I wanted the transition to nudity to be as easy on him as possible. I wish I'd had a faster exposure (and flashes) so I could have captured the motion without blur. Ethan is FAST! Lol! We were about halfway through our time by this point and I realized I had to move things forward or we wouldn't get to the shots I wanted, so I said we were halfway through our time and we needed to start shooting the nudes. I asked Ethan if he was ok with removing the underwear...
Ethan still seemed a little nervous because I remember as he walked off set to strip he asked something like "do we have to do it nude?" I replied, we do if we want to get the shots we planned for and want. With his back to me, Ethan awkwardly tried to remove his underwear while wearing his hockey gloves. It wasn't easy but he managed it!'
'Ethan's extremely lean with probably only 5 % or less body fat, and he has a swimmer's build. Although Ethan is about average height, that myth about lean men is no myth; Ethan's very gifted.
We started shooting with more slapshots, only nude this time. He was initially awkward I think, but got into the groove quickly. We did a few figure shots with the hockey equipment and he was really enjoying the shoot so I asked Ethan to take it all off.
Once he was completely nude we did a series of basic figure shots where the focus was more on posing his body and not having to give an expression. This is where I can see Ethan relaxed; ironically he was much more comfortable being entirely nude than he was with wearing part of his hockey uniform and posing with the stick trying to give expressions. We did quite a few shots and several of them are among my favorite photos.'
Dave, Immortal Form
Immortal Form on ModelMayhem
