'This was a fun shoot, fa sho!'
When I saw an image of model Zach Clemens the other day, I didn't know at first it was Zach. The image, by California based photographer NICKET, was one of the nudes of Zach standing on the rocks with the waves crashing in around and behind him. I loved everything about the image, the model, the feel and the incredible beach backdrop and surroundings that Nicholas (NICKET) pulled in.
I referenced that I didn't initially know it was Zach because I really should have. I did a couple of posts last year featuring the Sunnyvale model's work with studioAtruong. (Spark) I loved Zach's look, his energy and attitude and especially his sense of play. I had been on the look out for more of Zach's work so that I could again feature his imagery. Although his incredible grin, and those sparkling green eyes remain beautifully intact, Zach's cool new hairstyle, depending on angle, both longer and shorter than before, and his lack facial scruff, gave him an entirely new, and incredibly sexy, new look!
I have also featured Nicholas's work before, and although a name change briefly stumped me, I recognized the sun drenched California feel from his previous images with models Raditty and Andrew Carter. Nicholas and Zach make perfect collaborators as their style, and attitude toward their work, seems perfectly in sync.
As a teacher of photography, Nicholas knows the importance of enjoying the pursuit of your passion. His goal on any photo shoot is to both create beautiful portraits that captures of his subjects, but as well, to have a good time. This shoot definitely feels like it was fun, so much in fact, with it's easy going feel and California beach location, I had had to work hard to get The Beach Boys song Fun Fun Fun out of my head as I typed and pieced the story together.
Nicholas shares that working with Zach was a great experience, not only because of his incredible look but also his great attitude that made the shoot, and entire experience, so entertaining. 'Although relatively new to modeling, Zach needed very little direction during the shoot and has a good intuition of what works and what looks good.' Nicholas enjoys making his work a creative collaboration with input from the model and with this shoot, Zach had lots of idea's and was great at making sure they didn't miss any good shooting spots on the beach.
'Zach has a great spirit of adventure and is willing to expand his horizons, I look forward to working with Zach again and also seeing how he grows as a model and what he achieves.'
Zach's modeling goals are clear, cast his image out there, like a fisherman using bait, and see what comes back in. Make some money, have some fun and hopefully come up with not just artistic, but clever images that allow him to learn, experiment and take some risks. If that hook fails to catch the big one, and it's hard to imagine it won't get a few bites... If it doesn't work out, he'll fall back on his other talents and if he has to, says he'll live off the land. Zach's attitude is both realistic and refreshing and geared towards success, no matter how rough the waters may get.
'Nick was an awesome photographer. He was relaxed and silly, which allowed me to let loose, bringing about natural looks. I'm typically pretty tense during shoots since I try so hard to pose, but the combination of a great beach atmosphere and a rad photographer allowed me to be me, free like a bee!'
Zach Clemens
