BeautifulMag Cover Story | A Touch of Quality

SOME PEOPLE COLLECT STAMPS. OTHERS COLLECT WINE. THERE ARE TWO KIND OF WINE COLLECTORS. THE ONES THAT SEEK OUT WINES THAT ARE OF THE VERY BEST QUALITY, MADE OF THE MOST EXQUISITE GRAPES AND RIPENED TO EXTRA ORDINARY QUALITY. OTHERS LOOK FOR BOTTLES THAT ARE RARE DUE TO THEIR HISTORY. OFTEN NOT DRINKABLE BUT LEGENDARY BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY ORIGIN FROM OR BY WHO OWEND THEM BEFORE. BUT NO MATTER WHAT, A GOOD WINE SHOULD START AND END WITH A SMILE.

It takes a real connoisseur to recognize true quality when it comes along. One thing that defines quality is time. A high end meal is defined by its superb ingredients and the patience and time it takes to prepare it to ensure a perfect taste experience. The same thing goes for wine. A Beaujolais Primeur will never be a Mouton Rothschild. It simply doesn’t have that same quality. It takes time and patience to come to a good balanced product.

Ray Luis introduction to the world was as exceptional as it can be. He was born on July 12, 1977, right at the moment New York City went into its famous 24 hour 1977 Blackout. That month would go into history as a month with extreme temperatures and chaotic events. But for lil’ Ray it was the first month of his life, which he spent quietly, blissfully unaware of the craziness of New York City. After having spent some time in the Bronx, Ray moved to Naples, Florida where he completed 4 years of High School. After that he studied fitness and nutrition and currently Ray resides in Detroit, Michigan, where he attends acting school. Ray Luis seems to be preparing himself slowly for a life of success and quality. Like a good wine.

It is not so difficult for Calvin Brockington to find models to work with. So when he met Ray Luis on Model Mayhem about a year ago, he kind of let it slip. True, he was interested in T-Ray but the distance made it seem impossible at that time to actually organize a shoot and Calvin had many other projects going on. But, as said before, a Beaujolais Primeur simply isn’t a Mouton Rothschild. Even though the initial sip tastes good, sometimes that aftertaste is a more bitter experience. Many models and agencies Calvin Brockington  worked with promised to deliver good material, but when it came to publication, all hell would break loose. Things like “I didn’t know it was for a gay publication” or “I know we shot nudes but you never dais they were going to be published” really put Calvin off and he soon realized it was the kind of drama he could easily do without.

In search of that true quality, Calvin Brockington decided to get back in contact with Ray Luis. But by this time, Ray had ripened like a beautiful wine and became a well-sought after model. He had worked with several renowned photographers and produced some rather impressive work. Calvin instantly knew Ray would be the kind of guy that would show the professionalism he so desperately was looking for. Impressed by Ray’s vintage quality, Calvin hesitated a bit in the beginning, but soon realized that when stumbling upon real quality, you better take a sip. And so he boldly offered Ray to fly to Dallas for a photo shoot.
Things got complicated when Ray Luis’ schedule was packing up. And so Calvin decided to let go and return to his regular work. But plagued by the idea of shooting Ray and the rapidly returning drama of not being able to do what he really wanted to do with the models available, Calvin Brockington contacted Ray Luis once again and the two men found an opening in both their schedules to arrange their previously planned cooperation.

Is there a moral in this story? Yes there is. What we can learn is that if you want to have a taste of something, there is often enough offer to try it out. But the more you taste, the more you yearn to find something better. The first wine you drink can taste good, but you won’t be able to recognize those multiple layers that create that exquisite experience you are looking for. It takes time to create a good product like that, and it equally takes time to learn how to appreciate true quality. –BM-

CALVIN BROCKINGTON | BEAUTIFULMAG
RAY LUIS | BEAUTIFULMAG

Comments

[Tomas]

Ray Luis has big beautiful lips and a big, filled pouch, but it seems the photographer didn't or can't pull another expression out of the model besides what we see here. Kinda limiting...

[jai]

beautifulllll