'I look for interesting angles, how the light defines or obscures details, a small flaw that can provide insight, a hidden element....perhaps. I try to capture a stillness and a quiet moment, almost as if frozen.'
It was certainly an interesting, not to mention beautifully voluptuous, angle that inspired me to contact Montreal photographer Carlos Miranda about his steamy shoot with Felipe. I love how Carlos so enticingly captured Felipe in the shower. His captured angles are both erotic and sensually appetizing, leaving the viewer longing for more.
I love Felipe's body and look, and the 24 year old Montreal models beautifully moves into such graceful and seductive poses. Felipe completes his seduction of the viewer with his great lips and piercing brown eyes. Carlos did an incredible job pulling all of Felipe's most appealing assets into their shoot with not only those angles, but through the location, lighting and Felipe's elegant poses.
Photographer and model connected through Model Mayhem after Felipe responded to a casting Carlos had posted. They chatted a few times before the shoot, to decide what type of images Felipe was both interested, and comfortable doing. They decided in the end to do a few different shoots and locations, both indoor and out and both clothed and semi and implied nudes. After choosing a date and time, Carlos picked Felipe up at the closest metro station and they headed to Carlos' condo to get to work.
'I'm privileged to live along the Lachine Canal, with a southern exposure; the light is perfect throughout most of the day. Our first shoot was outside by the canal; Felipe was a bit shy in public and was not too comfortable wearing speedos and shorts without his shirt. There were not that many people out that day, but I respected his comfort level and didn't push him further than he wanted. When we got back inside, however, he was much less shy. Even though we had discussed that he would only do implied nudity and not full nudity, almost immediately he had no problems posing completely naked and was even coming up with poses that he thought would work to show off his assets :).'
'Felipe had done a few shoots before and was very comfortable in front of the camera. He knew his angles well and was very receptive to direction. The shower shoot was entirely his idea. I had done self portraits in the shower before, but had not had the opportunity to shoot anyone else, so I found it was a fun experience to try. There were a few technical issues that I was not too happy about, but overall, I'm pleased with the way the photos turned out. Felipe and I are both from Latin America, and it was immediately comforting for him that we shared that commonality. Even though, he moved to Canada when he was young, his Spanish is perfect. In between shoots, we sat on the balcony and chatted about his life and experiences, his studies, relationships, etc. The whole time we spent together was very fun and relaxing, which is how I generally like to conduct my photo shoots.'
Although Carlos has been a photographer for many years, he only recently decided to re-familiarize himself with portrait photography. He had shot portraits before, while studying architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design, but had shifted his focus away from the human form once he began practising architecture and interior design. Carlos decided to do a few portrait shoots to challenge himself and gain some practice in the field. His inspiration include some of the many great photographers of the human inform including; Bruce Weber, Mario Testino, Jack Peirson and Herb Ritts to name a few. Having spent so much time shooting spaces, architecture, landscapes and cityscapes, Carlos says it has been quite different and refreshing. 'Even though they are quite different, I try to approach the subjects in the same manner.'
Working in Montreal, a city renowned for it's sexy population, Carlos says there are plenty of sexy people running around that would make amazing subjects. Although not shy in most situations, Carlos confesses being very timid when it comes to approaching people out about posing on the streets, while riding the metro or out at restaurants. 'I feel it comes across as a bit sketchy/seedy to ask random strangers if they would like to pose for photos. One of my goals for 2016 is to be a bit more bold and not be so scared to chat with people.' Given the results of his work with Felipe, I anxiously await seeing who Carlos chats up and the images that follow!
