When I first featured the work Tacoma photographer Daniel Allen, (Proponent) I was struck with the luxuriousness that he surrounded his model Rico with. I had the same visual sensation when spending time with Daniel's images of model Patrick Kay. It's not just with the physical surroundings, but also the location and furnishings Patrick is in and around. There is also something clean and fresh about everything from the bright white of Patrick's underwear and bathrobe to the white of the mantle. Daniel's lighting and lens capture an elegant sophistication between the model he is shooting and all that surrounds him.
Originally from Cambodia, Patrick's physical beauty from his Cambodian and Chinese heritage. His spiritual beauty comes from his work helping others as a social worker and his passions for the causes and charities he supports. Beauty surrounds Patrick, not just through Daniel's visuals but also with his love of the arts, traveling, cooking and theatre. It is most distinct in his work as a jewelry maker and designer, specializing in one-of-a-kind wearable art. (Patrick's Creations)
Patrick reached out to Daniel a few years ago to inquire about getting some pictures done. Patrick had been working hard on transforming his physique and wanted to celebrate the progress he'd made. That luxuriousness I referenced wasn't exactly created for the shoot, it was instead created just for the model. Daniel agreed to shoot at Patrick place and and from the images you can clearly see why Daniel describes the location as a photographer's paradise!
'I've shot in some pretty close quarters before, with tons of clutter and nothing terribly interesting for a background--so I was excited to find that his home was amazing: spacious with tons of really great rooms to shoot him. My inner-interior decorator had a blast moving around his furniture and knick-knacks to create the perfect backdrops for his images.'
Patrick describes Daniel as very professional and as someone who welcomed and encouraged him to incorporate himself within the poses and process, which Daniel says helped making the entire experience very organic and natural. Daniel reports that he and Patrick became friends after the shoot and keep in touch regularly. There have even been discussions of a second shoot, maybe later on this summer.
'Patrick was fantastic to work with! A lot of times guys are shy in front of the camera--especially when the clothes start coming off. But Patrick was a natural: relaxed and confident throughout the entire shoot, with a level of professionalism that would rival many seasoned models. I really like his physique in this shoot: toned, great lines and a genuine, natural beauty.'
