'Normally I'm much better about sizing up men in their clothes to gauge which would make good photography subjects and which wouldn't, but for some reason the thought didn't cross my mind that he would make an excellent photography subject until I saw his shirt off one time while we were hanging out.'
I think we've all had that pleasant surprise of seeing a guy we think is cute, but yet doesn't really trig our erotic chord, until we see there shirt off. There are just some guys whose bodies camouflage their hottness better than others under clothing. I have several guys in my real life, and my fantasy life, who I've looked at differently after seeing with less clothing on.
Somehow, given my draw to gingers, I think I may have crushed over Samuel sooner than later. Samuel has a great face and an adorable smile, fantasizing of him with little or no clothing would have been pretty instant. I can't blame Daniel though, sometimes those we're most familiar with offer the biggest surprises. Daniel didn't connect with Samuel as a stranger walking down the street, or even as a photographer and model, that came later. The relationship began simply as friends.
Daniel and his ex were out at a bar one night in Seattle when they first encountered Samuel. The had a blast talking, and sharing stories of their lives and common interests. Daniel describes Samuel as having a bundle and both energy and positivity and knew he was someone he wanted to hang out with beyond just that one night at the bar.
Sometimes you meet someone, and instantly feel a connection and desire to have them, and their energy in your lives. Both Daniel and and his ex felt that way about Samuel. From that point on, Samuel was in and out of Daniel and ex's life and they became so close as friends that when he and ex broke up, there was a brief argument about who got to keep him 'in the divorce'. From these images, I am guessing Daniel won that battle...
'Normally I'm much better about sizing up men in their clothes to gauge which would make good photography subjects and which wouldn't, but for some reason the thought didn't cross my mind that he would make an excellent photography subject until I saw his shirt off one time while we were hanging out. After that, I just HAD to get him in front of my lens for some photos...which thankfully, he was totally on board for!'
Every time I feature Daniel's work I am always amazed at how visually lush his work is. In this series, the tree's and grass, the sky and the mountain, not to mention Samuel's lush, and luscious ass. The textures and colors are so deep and rich. Daniel's eye for the depth and richness of what's before his camera has been a recurring them each time I have featured his work. Whether it Patrick's apartment, (A Photographer's Paradise) Rico's bed and red velvet blanket, (Proponent) or Wes playing the river, (First Day of Fall) Daniel always captures the breath and rich scope of visuals in front of him.
Mount Rainier proved and appealing location for both Daniel and Samuel, but for slightly different reasons. The fields, tree's and mountain proved an incredible background for Samuel to pose, but the majestic environment and heat of the day also sparked a more serious discussion. Samuel's field of study is Environmental Science, so a day on the mountain inspired discussions about rising temperatures, but, a different type of heat than is usually generated by a naked male model.
'On the drive up the side of the mountain, Sammy pointed to specific areas and explained how Global Warming had eroded back the glaciers significantly, rivers and waterfalls that were all but dried up because of the lack of a snow cap, and how insects have completely taken over the mountain because it no longer gets cold enough up there to kill the eggs each winter. It was really interesting--and, honestly, a little scary to hear quantifiable evidence in my own backyard that demonstrates exactly how much damage we're doing to our planet!'
