'I try not to interact with students when I'm modeling naked because I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. But if someone comes to me and starts a conversation I absolutely love it.'
I have been looking to feature the work of Oregon's Humon Photography for awhile now. It was initially difficult to choose just the right model to feature, but that issue was solved beautifully when I saw his images of Andy Brennan last fall. Although I am not necessarily a huge fan of long hair in real life, I have recently began to appreciate how powerful hair can be, and how it has the ability to change the look, and feel of both a model and an image.
The first image I viewed of Andy was the image at the bottom of this piece. Andy dreadlocks, along with the poses and way Humon Photography staged, framed and lit the images created an almost primal feel, raw, sexy and energetic. Photographer and model proved to be perfect collaborators, utilizing the talents of each to create a uniquely beautiful set of images.
~Andy Brennan by Humon Photography~
Humon Photography has always had a passion for art and photography of all kinds, any style, anywhere and any one. This philosophy has led to shooting wide variety of models, traditional to alternative, conservative to outrageous and dramatic to quirky. The goal is to capture unique and impactful imagery, regardless of who is in front of his lens. I think the images resulting from this shoot are some of my favorite images from Andy's port and required not just the photographers passion, but required the 29 year old model to tap into his own artistic core as well.
'Andy was a joy to work with. Showing when/where he commits, awake, alert, with props/ideas, ready to collaborate. He's fun, interesting, willing to explore ideas. I certainly enjoyed and appreciated his candor, openness, and the sessions he and I have had working together.'
Andy also enjoyed the shoot and describes working with Humon Photography as a very fruitful collaboration. Being part of the creation process is something important to Andy, and something that led him to stop modeling for awhile. Andy never enjoyed working for photographers who worked using strict studio lighting and insisted on the same canned poses and set-ups. There was little gratification taking off his clothes, standing in a studio and doing the same poses as every other model that photographer had shot had done. In his work with Humon photography, Andy really felt like the character he created really came through and would recommend any model who wants to capture something unique to step in front of his lens.
'Humon Photography allowed me to feel like I could be myself. I could get weird and break out whatever props I wanted and contort myself in fun ways and he would get excited about it. A lot of photographers I've worked with like to stay within very rigid walls and frankly it bores me. I don't end up feeling particularly proud of any of the photographs and I struggle to find ones I love. That wasn't the case here. After our shoot there were dozens of photographs I loved. He took the time to go through and process every single photo. I've never seen that done before.'
For Andy, creating is a part of who he is and in addition to modeling Andy is also an artist who showcases his own artwork on divianART as well as his own site, Bees and Murderers, which also links to his webcomic. The quote at the top of the piece came from Andy commenting on his time modeling professionally for art classes and drawing groups. The three drawings, were some of Andy's favorites from the many students who have drawn him. I am always fascinated by models who pose for art classes. As difficult as must be to model nude for one artist, it would be an entirely different experience modeling naked for 20 or 30 would be artists...
'Nude modelling (or art modelling) is very different. There's very little interaction between myself and the teachers. I'm generally allowed to do whatever I want. In my experience art teachers tend to be more respectful than photographers and try not to interfere with the creative process. I like to find connections and learn what people like or don't like in models. No one has ever flirted me (sadly! lol) or done anything inappropriate. Somehow I get the feeling that happens more with female models. I like when I get to work with the same teachers again and again and we develop a bond. Or when students see me repeatedly and I see their faces light up when I walk in the room. It's a really nice feeling.'
