'I've known Robert for awhile, but never shot with him. It was funny running around naked while he was trying to set up. There's a point you stop trying to cover up cause they're gonna see it all anyway. But you know, art...so whatever.'
I am not sure there is anything more powerful than board games, or the smell of new plastic on a toy on a birthday or at Christmas, to instantly transport us emotionally back to our childhood. Although we all had different childhood experience, almost everyone; no matter how happy or painful growing up was, no matter how much money your family had; or where and when you grew up, remember playing board games like Sorry, Risk or Trouble. I think that feel, the universal retro memory we all share, is one of the reasons I love this series of images so much.
Model, celebrity trainer and wellness consultant Westopher embodies the humor, goofiness and fun perfectly in this shoot from RAW Photography. The shoot actually took place just after Westophers move to a new apartment in WeHo. There were boxes of stuff everywhere, it looked like piles of garbage, making it just trashy enough for the shoot.
'As for the shoot coming together, we knew we wanted something sort of dirty and messy. Nothing too pretty. Robert does a lot of shoots in alleyways and dive bars. I thought it would be fun to use my mess as a "set" to play with. Overflowing boxes, random furniture and toys, it looked like a junk pile. My junk pile. King of the junk!'
With no formal photography experience, RAW Photography's Robert loves to photograph men in their rawest form...naked of course! Robert doesn't shoot in a studio, nor does use any special effects, special lighting or a fancy camera. What Robert does use, is his imagination, creativity and an eye for what he finds sexy and attractive. Although that eye is not as sharp as it used to be, Robert continues to shoot despite the fact he is losing his eyesight. It always fascinates me how sharp and precise the work of artists with vision loss can be. Robert pick ups small details and texture within his work many other photographers may nor notice or ignore.
The detail and retro feel is one of the reasons I love this set so much. Anther reason is of course Westopher. The West Hollywood model so beautifully, and so naturally, weaves the incredibly sexy with the incredibly goofy. Westopher (Wes) has a great look and could just stick to shpwing off his hot lean body with some typical male model stoic facial expressions. Nah... Wes enjoys his work and has too much energy for that and brings that joy through his attitude and expressive green eyes, mouth and facial expressions.
In addition to getting naked and having fun in front of the camera, Wes works hard to maintain not just his physical health, but mental health as well. On his website, WesFerguson.com, you can learn more about his work as a personal trainer and wellness consultant as well as check out more images of the results of all his work. You can also sign up for his free newsletter to receive both a workout, and a recipe each month.
