Beautiful

Hotsnapz' Hot Snapz

THERE IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN MODELLING AND NUDE MODELLING AND EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER STOOD BEFORE OR BEHIND A CAMERA HAS WALKED IT. BOTH PHOTOGRAPHER AND MODEL, THEY HAVE LIVED THROUGH THAT MOMENT THAT THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF AND A DECISION NEEDED TO BE MADE.

Many new models and photographers swear they will never do nude. Until they do. Many models and photographers swear then they never do full frontal. Until – yes – some of them do. It’s OK. It’s even understandable. And it is certainly acceptable. 

The initial decision to not pose nude is not uncommon. There is still this opinion about nudity that, for some, places it in the corner pornographic and even dirty. Unrightfully so. So what makes a model and photographer who swore not to follow that path eventually decide to try it? Sometimes it is curiosity. To see how far one can go. For a photographer doubtless to explore the limits of his talents. For a model an exciting journey into the unknown, with the thrilling sensation of placing all your trust in the skilful hands of the photographer you are working with. Because once the shutter clicks, it is done.

The other reason is much less calculated. More emotional and passionate. Sometimes the decision to go that extra mile is made in the heat of the moment. When things go well and the ambiance is good that last piece of clothing is lost easily. And that too is OK and understandable. No matter what the reason, nude photography is an art and requires unique skills and high trust from both photographer and model. And once established, the work can turn wonderful. Emotional and loving. Erotic and arousing. Not all can do it. Even though Hotsnapz isn’t the kind of guy to shout it from the roofs, he most certainly mastered this most delicate of all photographic arts. The fact so many of his models trust him one hundred percent proofs that.

Hotsnapz’ nudes are made with class and style. The men are beautiful and confident, the portraits artistic and exciting. With his nudes Simon Barnes has created a true homage to the male form and a strong contribution to the global acceptance of male beauty. And so a perfect setting to bring up the rear of this BeautifulMag Simon Barnes special. –BM-

Read also: The Emperor’s New Clothes.

HOTSNAPZ | BEAUTIFULMAG  

Say Hello to Samuel Kneen

IT’S A CLICHÉ, I KNOW, BUT DREAMS DO HAVE A HABIT OF COMING TRUE. IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT USUALLY. IT TAKES HARD WORK AND WILLPOWER. COMMITMENT. AND A GOOD DOSE OF LUCK. BUT IF YOU WANT IT TO HAPPEN, YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Samuel Kneen never imagined himself participating in a pageant. But when he made the decision to do so, he went for it all the way. In fact, at the same time the Mr Gay UK election opened after three years of absence, Samuel found himself in a dark place. Recovering from a broken relationship and lacking self confidence, he followed his friends advice and subscribed to the contest. Months of hard work in the gym paid of when he won the local contest in Cardiff and made it through to the final five in Leeds in November 2011, where he eventually was crowned Mister Gay UK 2011 on December 10.

A dream come through for Samuel Kneen? Maybe. It wasn’t something he had dreamed of all his life, but when the dream started to take shape, he went for it and made it happen. He went ut there and got people vote for him on the Mr Gay UK website. He campaigned on Facebook and Twitter, put up posters in his city and appeared on local radio. The whole experience was an enormous boost for Samuel: “I was excited because I won, but it was more the fact that I felt proud of myself that I had accomplished something. That was the biggest reward.”

Asides the title, Samuel Kneen also received a 7 days vacation in Morocco and £2,000 in cash. Big hearted Samuel immediately decided to donate that sum to the Terrence Higgins Trust, a foundation that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. And by doing so, he hopes to be able to make other peoples dreams come true.

Someone else who knows as no other that dreams can come true is Paul Reiffer. This ex-IT Manager boosted his own self-confidence by starting to model for some photographers which eventually lead to him picking up the camera himself. In record time Paul became a much sought after photographer in the UK and he single-handedly turned his life around. It can not be a coincident that it was Paul who shot Samuel and by publishing the photos contributed to the success of the 22 years old model to be from Cardiff. Paul and Samuel are shining examples of dreams coming through. –BM-

PAUL REIFFER | BEAUTIFULMAG
SAMUEL KNEEN | BEAUTIFULMAG

Harijs Broza Dreams Big

WHEN THE ICE RETREATED AT THE END OF THE LAST GLACIAL PERIOD, THE PEOPLE WHO THEN INHABITED THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE NORTH. AROUND 9000BC A SMALL SETTLEMENT WAS FORMED AT THE NORTH WEST COAST OF THE BALTIC SEA. 11,000 YEARS LATER, THIS SETTLEMENT HAS BECOME THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA.

Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. Bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus and the Russian Federation, Latvia is one of the least populous countries in the European Union. Still it has quite a large celebrity community with a surprising amount of people who are known in arts and sports. Just to name a few: Nicolai Poliakoff aka Coco the Clown, internatinal fashion model Ingūna Butāne, Ingūna Butāne alias DJ Lethal, America’s Next Top Model Brita Petersone, film director Oļģerts Dunkers and the very cute football player Artjoms Rudņevs. And now there is also Harijs Broza.

At age 23, Harijs Broza decided to escape the economic crisis in Latvia and moved to London. Starting a new life in the British capital, Harijs soon discovered many alternative possibilities to find life fulfilment. Sports and nutricion being part of that, Harijsstarted to transform rapidly his appearance and not long after he seriously started working out, people started to encourage him to look for modelling work. Boldly he decided to follow that advise and not long after he found himself being casted for London’s Shirtless Hunk calendar. Having this first job in the pocket, Harijs decided to take things seriously. And bigger.

Harijs Broza crossed the Atlantic. His first stop in the United States was Miami, son to be followed by Los Angeles, two of America’s modelling mecca. And having developed his passion for sports, both Miami’s South Beach and L.A.’s Santa Monica offered him wonderful opportunities to both stay in perfect condition and enjoy a beach lifestyle he could never have dreamed of while living in Latvia. Harijs lives an active life that obviously involves a lot of travelling. Not only fanatic in practising sports, he is also a passionate sports fan, especially when it comes to ice hockey and basketball. If not as Santa Monica, Harijs can most likely be found in the Staples Center arena while he is in Los Angeles. Here he enjoys hockey games of the LA Kings and basketball matches of the Lakers and the Clippers. 6 years of intense working out have also given Harijs enough experience and knowledge to help other to achive their fitness goals and his ultimate dream would be to have his own LA fitness club and a nice home in Los Angeles to go with that. Harijs Broza dreams big.

While being back in London in January 2011, Harijs Broza met photographer Simon Barnes for the first time after having contacted him on his Model Mayhem profile page. A first shoot in the Hotsnapz studio resulted in some great photo sets and the two stayed in contact after Harijs returned to the United States, promising they would reconnect for another cooperation as soon as tile would allow. That moment came in December last year, and than again in January 2012. About his work with Hotsnapz, Harijs says: “Simon is an awesome photographer, He always has many amazing ideas and his studio holds many things to realize any idea. From underwear to gladiator shots, Simon is easy to work with and his professional skills are one if the best I have ever seen.” –BM-

HARIJS BROZA | BEAUTIFULMAG
SIMON BARNES | BEAUTIFULMAG

BeautifulMag Interview | Simon Barnes, Artist

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. THE MAN WHO CALLS HIMSELF HOTSNAPZ IS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED AND CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. A QUICK VISIT ON HIS WEBSITE OR JUST GOOGLING HIS NAME WILL SHOW YOU WHAT WE MEAN. BUT MORE THAN THAT, SIMON BARNES IS A MAN WITH PASSION AND MODESTY, AN INSPIRER AND A TEACHER. AND AN ARTIST IS HEART AND SOUL. WE FEEL PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO TALK WITH HIM ON REGULAR BASE. TODAY HE TALKS WITH YOU.

Simon, we have come to know and appreciate you as a talented, skilled but also critical photographer. When you shoot a series and then look through the raw material, how do you know you have a good portrait in hands. What makes it stand out?
Simon: WOW! Now there’s a compliment, Thank you. I rarely have a picture I am truly happy with, but then I guess that’s the point when the creative process would stop. To choose an individual image a lot is based on instinct. I tend to speed view the images until one hits me and then edit that. Later I go back through more slowly to see if I missed anything.

Would you say there is a difference in how you select your images compared to how your models choose?
Simon: Oh yes. The major difference between a model and a photographer is that a model looks at the detail first …“OMG I have a huge spot… My eyebrow is odd. etc.” whereas a photographer looks at the whole dynamic and works on the detail later. That’s what Photoshop is designed for. The whole subject of editing has been contentious lately as creating impossibly perfect people. Obviously if you are photographing an actor or sportsperson you choose an image and edit it as naturally and as honestly as possible. But for more creative images we all want fantasy, We want the perfect vision of our dreams, So again the choice of image depends on the potential to create that fantasy. Preferably one where the model doesn’t look too bored.

Having visited your studio several times, we once we called it Aladdin’s cave. How would you describe the place where you do your magic?
Simon: Haha. I guess an expanding rummage sale best describes it. I really do have an amazing amount of clothes, props and general clutter. Strangely I know where most things are. I always feel naked without the accessories and if I throw anything away, it’s the one thing I need next.

So your studio is not the standard studio you would expect from a photographer. How do models react when they arrive for the first time?
Simon: I love to see a new model’s face when they see the studio for the first time. It’s a mix of disbelief and pleasure. As you know the actual studio is at the far end of the space so you encounter the “collection” first.

What makes for you a great male model?
Simon: Obviously the look is what it’s about, but someone who has a natural ability to relax and is not scared to act out emotions or dynamics to fit the theme. Also one who is prepared to work for themselves. There are so many models desperate to work that you cannot rely on others to push you. You have to have determination and get your presence felt. Very few guys are spotted in the street and whisked away to international stardom.

What makes for you a great photographer?
Simon: NO EGO! I have a massive hatred of the whole ego thing, It usually goes hand in hand with “My Model” syndrome. Any shoot is a partnership of ideas between model and photographer, so you have to bend your vision to suit the model and vice versa. Of course if it’s a commissioned job you both have a fairly rigid directive, as does the stylist and MUA (Make Up Artiste) but for a lot of my shoots it’s the creative process between two people. I admire technical ability in other photographers, especially with regards to lighting. Lighting makes or breaks an image. I love to see thought about composition, theme and styling. It’s very easy to have a digital camera and call yourself a photographer.

You have a background in theatre. How does this influence your photographic work and would you think that you would have been a different artist without the knowledge of and experience in theatre work?
Simon: Oh yes. I’ve already mentioned lighting, but everything I do has a slightly theatrical edge. Strangely the bulk of my photography centres around building portfolios for fitness and physique models or working on a magazine spread, but in each shoot I try to tack on a few “Hotsnapz” images, with the full range of props and make-up appearing.

With every photo you take your knowledge and expertise increases and the possibilities you can imagine become more and more rich. What is the dream of Simon Barnes that he wishes to realize?
Simon: Well a rich sponsor wouldn’t go amiss - LOL. But just to continue to grow and expand the repertoire I guess. I’d like to think you’re still publishing my work in issue 1,000.

Besides being a great photographer yourself, you are also a mentor for young talent. Various of your models have chosen to follow your footsteps and moved from in front to behind the camera. How does this make you feel?
Simon: You’re making me blush!! Proud. Both Simon Howard and Zach Burns have become very experienced and proficient photographers and their work has acquired their own individual stamp. I love to see new talent emerging.

Do you have idols? Who’s work do you admire?
Simon: I love the old black and white Cecil Beaton images… all hand retouched and shot through silk to soften the image. Totally theatrical! I can’t mention modern photographers in case I forget someone. But they know who they are!

Who tops your wish list of guys to work with?
Simon: Anyone who has a true desire to work hard in the industry, but I wouldn’t mind having a shoot with Cheyenne Jackson. –BM-

Read also The Stopping Power of Simon 'Hotsnapz' Barnes | Part 1 and Part 2.

HOTSNAPZ | BEAUTIFULMAG

Paul Henry Serres | Kaleb in Black and White

MONTREAL HOUSES THE NATIONAL CIRCUS SCHOOL, WHICH IS THE LARGEST NORTH AMERICAN SCHOOL DEVOTED TO ADVANCED CIRCUS ART. WITH ITS PRIMARY MISSION TO PREPARE YOUNG ADULTS FOR A LIFE AND CAREER IN THE SPECTACULAR UNIVERSE OF INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS, THE SCHOOL STANDS GUARANTEE FOR ATTRACTING TALENTED AND CREATIVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO THE ALREADY COLORFUL CANADIAN CITY. NOW WONDER THIS IS WHERE KALEB HAWKINS WANTED TO BE.

Even though its is close to a year that Paul Henry Serres was featured on BeautifulMag, the memory of his work is still fresh in our minds. Not in the least due to the strong and vibrant colors Paul Henry puts in his work. So you can imagine we were quite surprised to see the black and white series he sent us recently, featuring Kaleb Hawkins. But going through the individual portraits, it became clear that there was a very true reason why every trace of color was missing in this series. Kaleb is a young men who is colorful enough as a person to bring vibrancy to black and white portraiture.

Kaleb Hawkins graduated from the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne, Australia before turning his gaze towards Canada. Knowing one of the world’s best circus schools and coaches are located in Montreal, this is where Kaleb wanted to be. And so he packed his stuff, bought himself a single ticket and changed the moderate oceanic climate of Melbourne for the dry continental climate of Montreal where he found a coach in Victor Fomine, one of teh best when it come to the art of trapeze. Here in the North of America, Kaleb improved and developed his skills as circus artist to perfection. Here in Montreal he specialized himself in swinging trapeze and arial tissue acrobatics. And here, in this second-largest Canadian city, he also met Paul Henry Serres and worked with him to create this stunning gallery of black and white portraits.

Even though Paul Henry Serres biggest passion is to photograph people, he is also a talented photographers of landscapes and architecture. The knowledge he gained by working in that particular field comes to light in his work with his models. Paul Henry’s work shows a high level of aesthetics in both beautiful lighting and amazing poses. He has a great eye when it comes to showing his subjects best sides and knows how to bring out their body structures as if it were carefully erected architectural masterpieces. In Kaleb Hawkins he found an acrobatic ability and dynamic energy that perfectly matches his won creative vision and abilities and together they stand guarantee for a set of photos that are both sober in color and brilliant in energy. His black and white work with Kaleb shows us a side we did not yet know from Paul Henry Serres, but that proofs that he rightfully belongs in the colorful scene of Montreal. –BM-

PAUL HENRY SERRES | BEAUTIFULMAG