'Cynbel and I tried several times to get together for a session, but we were just not successful coordinating our schedules. At last, after the live turkey debacle, we were able to pull it off!'
And pull it off (literally for Cynbel) they did! Although we didn't get a live turkey, nor the model scheduled to shoot, the positive result, was Tom being able to shoot with Cynbel. When Tom first told me the turkey tale, I was disappointed. I also felt bad for Tom, not to mention the turkey, for the long drive and planning which never materialised in a shoot.
Any disappointment I had quickly disappeared when Tom sent along Cynbel's Model Mayhem # and asked me to check it out. I loved Cynbel's long lean look, and beautiful brown eyes and hair. Cynbel had shot with a few photographers I know, and loved many of the erotically elegant poses and captures in his portfolio. Although we didn't get our turkey as the main meal, we did get a luscious piece of lean meat, with plenty extra's for leftovers.
Leftovers get a bad wrap, and with many foods, deservedly so. With some meals however, especially Thanksgiving dinner, the leftovers are really the main event and the best part of the holiday meal. In addition to those hot turkey sandwiches the next day, I love sneaking into the kitchen, around midnight on Thanksgiving night, and eating a little turkey and stuffing. The food hasn't yet gotten completely refrigerated, and still mouthwatering and moist.
Although for this shoot, the focus was on the skin and carcass, in his real life, Cynbel's is a little more cerebrum focused. With a masters is in computer science, and his work as a software developer, Cynbel spends most of his time thinking about how to solve problems. Even in his spare time Cynbel is focused on solving and strategic thinking especially when while board games, one of his favorite past time passions.
Tom discovered Cynbel on Model Mayhem, and was thrilled they were finally able to get together, especially after the turkey turmoil. Tom was impressed with Cynbel's patience, and his ability to hold some very awkward and painful poses over an extended period of time. Cynbel shares this was his first time doing a holiday themed shoot, and wasn't sure exactly what to expect. In the end, thanks to Tom's prep work and professionalism, Cynbel enjoyed his experience, and playing in the Autumn leaves.
Speaking of those leaves, they are indeed real. Tom bagged them from his front lawn and brought them inside to the studio. Unfortunately, peak season had passed, ad the colors weren't very vibrant. What's an artist to do.... Well, for Tom, it meant staying up into the wee hours of the morning the night before, spray painting them yellow, red and orange. Tom shares the worst part was cleaning up. He thought his leaf raking was over, but there were leaves everywhere, and Tom spent much of the next day raking the leaves back up!
'I tried to keep the theme of Thanksgiving/Fall throughout the session. LOL I spent two days spray-painting fall leaves that I raked up but had no color. My thoughts were to represent a fall day at grandma's farm...Grandma didn't mind that Cynbel was naked romping in the fall leaves in her backyard. To incorporate a Thanksgiving feast I used some typical holiday treats the grandma might have. Apples, potatoes, squash, grapes, pumpkin pie blueberries and, with tongue in cheek, the addition of those turkey feathers from the turkey I had picked up after my fine feathered house guest had left.'
'Cynbel is comfortable in his own skin. Usually, when I am changing sets for a session, the model will get back into clothes until I have made the set changes. Cynbel was at ease in the nude as if he were fully clothed. He helped me in setting up props and didn't give a hoot that he was in the nude. He said he is a bit shy in social situations but completely at ease for photo sessions. I found that to be true.'
