BeautifulMag Cover Story | Sidetrack

WHEN YOU LOOK UP THE MEANING OF THE WORD SIDETRACK, THE FIRST THING YOU FIND IS TO GET DISTRACTED FROM THE MAIN SUBJECT. NOTHING COULD BE MORE APPLICABLE WHEN IT COMES TO SAM ANDERSEN. BUT THE WORD SIDETRACK HAS MORE MEANING FOR SAM THAN JUST BEING DISTURBINGLY HANDSOME.

Sidetrack is one of the most popular gay bars in Chicago. The video bar opened its door in 1982 and has been popular ever since. Every weekend hundreds of gay men find entertainment here. Sam Andersen being one of them. And it was at Sidetrack where he first met Chicago based photographer Dave Ouano, who had the honor to be the first to have Sam in front of his camera.

Sam Andersen is only 21 years old but has already lived a life that is quite different from the average. Born in Orange County in California, Sam moved at a very young age to Eastern Europe. He spent his childhood years in the beautiful city of Prague in the Czech Republic, before moving to Germany where he studied Media and Communication with a minor in History.

After his early years in Europe, Sam Andersen moved south and settled in Kenya. Here, in the outskirts of Nairobi, Sam attached himself to a charity that is near and dear to his heart: Helping Hands, an organization that works with impoverished children. Eventually Sam left the African continent as well and returned to the country of his roots. He settled down in Chicago where he now studies full time, while working in his free time at Public Safety. Passionate about cultures and people, Sam truly is a man who has his heart in the right place.

Sam Andersen seems to be focused on a future that involves social work, but got sidetracked at – yes – Sidetrack. It was in this popular gay venue in Chicago that he met Dave Ouano for the first time. It was a small encounter, basically just an exchange of contact information, but intrigued by Dave’s work, Sam emailed the photographer the next day, expressing interest of modeling.

Now maybe we were not exactly right when we said Sam got sidetracked. Let’s face it, it would have been a loss for us if he had not taken that step and agreed on modeling for Dave Ouano. And therefore his camera work can easily be categorized as another service to society. According to Dave, Sam is a natural. Easy going, nice and professional. Asked about his feeling on the cooperation with Sam, Dave commented that he feels lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the 21 years old student and he is very happy with the results. Sidetrack or not, so are we. –BM-

Model: Sam Andersen
Photographer: Dave Ouano
Stylist: Pablo Roberto
Assistant: Mike Raffety

DAVE OUANO | BEAUTIFULMAG

Comments

[Lund]

nice and easy on the eye

BUT no butt or cock!!? At least give us more of him in that wet t-shirt plz. :-)

[Dieter (Toronto, Canada)]

Incredibly handsome...especially his face...beautiful eyes and lips longing for a kiss.....!!