'I always look for more than just a pretty look in my models. I firmly believe the camera captures their personality, notjust their look, and Ash oozed personality like a snail oozes slime.'
I use the word 'artist' frequently on the blog but to me, not all photographers are necessarily artists. There are many highly skilled photographers, who don't necessarily create what is in front of them, but are incredibly talented at capturing it. I am sure there are many camera owners, some with a great eye for capturing beautiful landscapes, to many in the paparazzi, to those who used work taking Christmas family photos at Sears who weren't necessarily artists.
Brett Kiellerop is an artist. Capturing great looking men, in little to no clothing may be something he is great at, but it isn't something that is ever enough for him. If you look back at some of pieces featuring Brett's work there are certainly traditional images of the male form in his portfolio. The Australian artist has certainly taken advantage of his location and has shot many of his models on the beach, including his early work with Allen Lovell. Maybe in part it has to do with Brett's vision issues, which initially he thought might end his passion for photography.
Slow however, Brett began to navigate his way through the small tunnel of vision that he had left. Focusing less on the big scenic locations and shots and more on the creative aspect of his work, envisioning smaller, yet more focused and vibrant, unique and quirky moments to capture. I think all of those words fit Brett's recent shoot with Melbourne model Ash Satori.
Brett recently spent a couple of months in Melbourne, Australia, and says it was there that he had the pleasure of meeting and working with Ash Satori. They met via Model Mayhem and got together for a couple of quick photo shoots. 'He absolutely floored me... what an amazing guy!' With Brett's visual impairment, sometimes things take a little longer to set up and shoot and Ash was incredibly patient through the entire process.
'Ash is a walking contradiction. He's incredibly masculine, but arrived at our shoot wearing what was essentially a skirt. He's a neuroscientist, but craves a quirky life as a fire dancer and performer. He really isn't into labels at all, and just does whatever the fuck he wants... He's quite an inspiration.'
You can feel's Ash's spirit powerfully come through in Brett's images, especially in his sexy smile and that twinkle in his beautiful green eyes. I think one of the things I found both fascinating and fun was what was and wasn't shot in this shoot. When it comes imagery of the male nude, most photographers and models make decisions on what can, and cannot be captured. The body parts in question are generally the butt and the penis. I am not sure I have ever had a shoot sent on where neither were feature, yet, Ash's balls were on full display in a couple of shots. I think 'quirky' was successfully achieved!
Brett knows how much I love 'behind the scenes' stories and images and love the out-take of Ash sitting with his red box while on the phone below. As for behind the scenes stories, Brett had a great one as well. Although he had the permission of the hotel staff to sue the car park and pool as sets for the shoot, they still managed to get a little grief from the manager. The managers appearance to give that grief proved well timed however. As it turns out, just as he appeared on the scene, angry and yelling that what was going on wasn't acceptable, Ash was in the process of stripping down to his g-string. The manager became quite red and flustered when confronted by a hot, nearly naked male model. Seizing the opportunity, Brett was able to mollify him with a USB stick full of images of Ash from the shoot...
