Beautiful

Beefcakes & Glamour Boys

A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT MODERN MALE PHOTOGRAPHY BUT IF WE ARE HONEST WE HAVE TO ADMIT, THE ART IS NOT THAT NEW. IN FACT ALREADY IN THE 1920’S FAMOUS ACTORS SUCH AS RUDOLPH VALENTINO AND RAMÓN NOVARRO WERE KNOWN TO USE PHOTOGRAPHY TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR PHYSICAL ENDOWMENTS. THOUGH FAR LESS FREQUENT AS THE CHEESECAKE LAYOUTS OF ACTRESSES, SOME MEN WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SHOW THEIR BEST ASSETS AND HAVE BEEN DOING SO ALL THROUGH THE 20TH CENTURY.

Over the last hundred years it has become more acceptable to see nude and semi-nude photos of men. Especially the past 20 years, male physique and fitness photography has become a real industry. Asides from that, men have become more aware of their own physical attraction and sex appeal and are no longer shy to show what they’ve got. Golden Czermak decided in 2011 that he wanted to explore more this fitness area of photography and has since then created a finger-licking portfolio of male model portraits.

Golden Czermak was born and raised in North Alabama and this is where he currently resides as well, after having lived a brief period in the United Kingdom. Golden’s passion for photography was born out of dire need for stock imagery while working as a graphic designer. Everyone active in that profession knows how many times one needs to fall back on image bank photographs and how difficult it is to find exactly what you need. Instead of spending hours in searching and a fortune in royalties, Golden decided to take things in his own hands and started to shoot his own images. Much cheaper that way and a guarantee you get exactly what you need.

After picking up the art, it became soon evident to Golden Czermak that there was more to photography than just shooting the imagery he needed for his graphic designs. So after he first concentrated on landscapes, plants and animals, Golden boldly took the next step and started shooting humans. Initially family and friends and eventually models. As mentioned earlier, in 2011 Golden decided to concentrate more on the fitness part of photography, which ultimately landed him a huge billboard assignment. Golden Czermak now knew he had made the right decision and opened in August 2012 his FuriousFotog in Athens, Alabama, concentrating on standard portraiture, event and wedding photography, but with a focus on fashion and fitness work.

Last month we introduced you to Golden Czermak’s work in a feature called Cowboys and Angels. Today we are happy to bring you some more of this very talented photographer from Athens, Alabama. The portraits need very little explanation. It is clear that Golden has embraced fitness photography and vice versa. With style and flair he presents us the crème de la crème of local and international fitness boys, and gives a new meaning to definitions such as beefcakes and glamour boys. If there would be one way to describe Golden Czermak’s men, we would simply call them golden boys. –BM-

GOLDEN CZERMAK | BEAUTIFULMAG

Stansted Boys Part 3 | George

UNTIL RECENTLY STANSTED WAS MOSTLY KNOWN FOR STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET. AN AIRPORT LOCATED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICT OF UTTLESFORD IN ESSEX, 48KM NORTH EAST OF CENTRAL LONDON. WHILE INTRODUCING YOU TO STANSTED WE PREDICTED THAT IT WOULDN’T BE BEFORE LONG THAT THIS NAME WOULD BECOME INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

Sometimes you read stories in the news that for one reason or the other put a thus far anonymous town on the world map. Often this happens due to dramatic events, but sometimes it is because of something nice and cheerful. As it is the case with Stansted today. Because this is the hometown of real life couple Charley and George.

We introduced you to Charley and George early March through a series of photos shot by Malemodel.nl photographer Gert Kist. At that time we predicted that these two handsome lads would put Stansted on the world map and that is exactly what they did. Enough so to follow up with a solo feature for Charley half April and now again an editorial dedicated to his second half George.

Now it wasn’t in Stansted that Gert Kist met Charley and George, but that is just a detail, isn’t it. In fact, the two Brits met the Dutch photographer earlier this year when they made their first visit to Dutch capital city Amsterdam. Amazingly so as both Charley and George travel quite a lot through Europe. Where Charley fills his days mostly being a financial advisor, George is a personal trainer and a well sought after model that brings him, and Charley, on regular trips to European destinations. Alas, Amsterdam was never part of their itinerary until recently. As mentioned before, George has quite some modeling experience under the belt, even though he is only 18 years old. And that experience shows in these sensual portraits shot by Gert Kist. George poses like a natural, turning and twisting in front of Gert’s camera to show off his best assets. With this solo set of George we close the Stansted series but we can not guarantee we will never feature the couple again. Let’s face it, they are just too yummy to ignore. –BM-

MALEMODEL.NL | BEAUTIFULMAG

And the winner is...

ROBERTO ARAUJO IS AN ACTOR AND AS AN ACTOR HE KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE A SMASHING FIRST IMPRESSION. IF YOU DON’T NOW ONE IS GOING TO NOTICE YOU. ROBERTO ARAUJO IS ALSO A PHOTOGRAPHER AND AS PHOTOGRAPHER HE KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BUILD UPON FIRST IMPRESSIONS. BECAUSE IT IS THAT ONE THING THAT MAKES THE IMPRESSION THAT GUARANTEES THAT YOUR NEXT SET STANDS OUT FROM ALL THE REST.

Award parties are hot. It doesn’t matter if it is the Emmys, Tony’s, Oscars or Golden Globes, each award festival is a reason for many to throw a party in glamour style. Offering ones guests to feel like a star for one night. Where champagne flows and no outfit is crazy enough. Expressive as he is, Roberto Araujo loves to host these kind of parties. And his New York circle of friends love to join.

Scott Lester only moved from Georgia to New York City a few months ago, but was able to settle in comfortably and make many friends. Roberto Araujo being one of them. So when Roberto decided to host one of his popular Award parties, this time dedicated to the Golden Globes, Scott was present. And all in the tradition of Award parties, Scott decided to make a splash, which he did wearing golden shoes. Which Roberto absolutely loved: “The shoes were a hit at the party and I jokingly said: "We need to do a photo shoot with those shoes. You just wearing the shoes."

Though starting as a joke, Roberto Araujo and Scott Lester actually started to play with the idea of a shoot based on Scott’s golden shoes. They talked about the idea and Roberto came up with the outfit. “Scott looks great wearing anything...or nothing at all. So we went through the whole range of him wearing the gold shorts with knee high socks to him wearing nothing but the gold shoes.” Roberto Araujo loves working with models who are not afraid of trying new and fun things. He has been very lucky to have found models who trust him and were willing and able to create fun, bright and sexy work. In Scott’s case it were the shoes that triggered the idea. It were the shoes that made the impression and that became the foundation of Roberto’s inspiration. And it looks like Roberto Araujo has once again a winner. –BM-

ROBERTO ARAUJO | BEAUTIFULMAG

BeautifulMag Cover Story | Villainy & Virtue

AFTER HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, ALEX MINSKY ASKED HIMSELF THE QUESTION MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ASK. WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF HIS LIFE. ALEX WASN’T READY TO SETTLE DOWN. HE WAS IN SEARCH FOR ADVENTURE. AND SO HE SIGNED UP WITH THE US MARINE CORPS. A CHOICE THAT WOULD ALTER HIS LIFE PERMANENTLY.

Alex Minsky wanted adventure and he sure got it. After he joined the Marines he was sent to combat in Afghanistan. While on a midnight patrol there, Alex Minsky’s truck was hit by a homemade bomb. Alex was severely injured and soon realized that this was the beginning of his biggest adventure so far. Alex lost his leg and was told he would never be able to rejoin his men on the battlefield. Crushed by what happened to him Alex searched for comfort, which he found in alcohol. It went from bad to worse until events made him realize that he was on a self destructive path, and that wasn’t the adventure he had set out for. And so Alex fought and found the strength to come back.

Now, 24 yeas old, Alex Minsky is one of today’s most sought after male models. Martin Ryter, Michael Stokes, Eric Schwabel, Tom Cullis. They are some of the renowned photographers who already worked with the young veteran. And many are still lining up. Alex has learned to be positive and has come to realize his adventures have not ended yet. And that is how he arrived recently in the studio of Justin Monroe.

“This soldier is no joke,” Justin Monroe comments on his collaboration with Alex Minsky. “There are so many hot things about him. Studying his tattoos is like going to an amusement park. You want to follow everything line, color, and word until you have taken it all in. Just when you think your eyes have had enough, you are slapped in the face with his stacked body. Tattoos cover his entire body and he told me he was not going to stop until there was no skin left. I said “Alex, please do not tattoo your beautiful ass or face!” He just looked at me and laughed.” Villainy and Virtue is a song by Dead to Fall in which they pass judgment on fake people. “You pretend to be part of the flock and somehow you convinced us all that you are something you are not” is one of the phrases from the song. Alex Minsky is certainly not part of the flock. “He is one of the most unique individuals that I had the pleasure to have in front of my camera. There are so many things about Alex worth taking note of. He is a walking piece of art and a gay man’s wet dream. This 24 year old is a survivor. After surviving a terrible bombing incident in Iraq, where he lost his leg, he was in coma for 58 days and almost lost his life. He rebuilt his mind body and spirit from the ground up. Photographers everywhere are seeking him out and he is becoming the muse for many.”

Justin continues: “When he came to the shoot, he seemed a little shy but very eager. He was excited to see what madness I had in store for him. I told him that I was going to photograph him in a rhinestone skirt and jewels. He laughed and said, “Lets do it!” I get a sense that this boy likes to be crazy. I did not want to shoot him in the typical jock/athletic manner, which seems to be the current trend when it comes to Alex. He is much more than that and enjoys the creative process. The afternoon was very fun. His enthusiasm made time fly by. Not only was he extremely easy on the eyes, I feel like I made a new friend.” Alex Minsky went through hell and back and came out stronger. He learned to embrace life once again and that there are other adventures waiting for him. Not only is Alex a war hero. He is also a hero of life. –BM-

ALEX MINSKY | BEAUTIFULMAG
JUSTIN MONROE | BEAUTIFULMAG

ES Collection Gourmet

IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE SPANISH ECONOMY IS FAR FROM CONFORTABLE. AND SO IT SEEMS LOGICAL THAT SPANISH ENTREPRENEURS REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER AND TRY TO HELP EACH OTHER. JUST TO PROMOTE THE MANY GOOD THINGS SPAIN HAS TO OFFER. WHICH CAN RESULT IN SOME UNEXPECTED COMBINATIONS. BECAUSE YOU MIGHT WONDER WHAT SPANISH FOOD HAS TO DO WITH SPANISH UNDERWEAR. THOUGH THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. IT’S BOTH DELICIOUS.  

The country of Spain is known for many things. First there is of course the nice summer temperatures. The Spanish coast has many beaches offering plenty of opportunity to enjoy the sun and the sea. Spain is also known for is festive character. Many dance parties originates from the Iberian peninsula. But besides sun, beach and fun, let’s also not forget the excellent Spanish cuisine. Spain offers many traditional dishes that are mouth watering and, experimental as they are, the Spanish are not afraid to experiment with some exotic ingredients to make their homemade dishes even more spicier.

ES Collection offers product that are 100% Spanish made. The designs are done in Spain, the fabrics are made in Spain, and the products are manufactured in Spain. Even Joan Crisol, the photographer who is responsible for the many steamy campaigns, is Spanish. Yes, ES Collection is a pure Spanish dish. But don’t make a mistake. There is nothing traditional about it. On the contrary. Each season ES Collection manages to surprise both friend and foe with new designs, new fits and new technologies that make their product even more comfortable and more hot.

For the Spring/Summer 2013 season ES Collection presents Gourmet, the latest underwear collection. Gourmet presents new and daring colors, sexy patterns as well as changes like the double push-up without the patented cup. Underwear that simultaneously highlights one’s front and rear attributes without the need for any foam filling. All of this comes with the brand’s quality guarantee as well as the distinction of having been designed and produced in Barcelona. Do you like quality? In that case, you will love Gourmet.

To make Gourmet ever spicier – if that is already possible – ES Collection’s photographer Joan Crisol decided to shoot the collection in the kitchen of one of the most trendy restaurants in Madrid. And there is more. Because ES wouldn’t be ES if they wouldn’t invent something new. In this case the additional ingredient of two of Russia’s hottest male models of today: Kirill Dowidoff and Vladimir. Two men who most certainly know how to show off ES Collection superior quality and steamy designs. With Gourmet, ES Collection has once again a product line that is well-prepared and well-seasoned. Buen apetito… -BM-

ES COLLECTION | BEAUTIFULMAG

Introducing Troy Phillips

WITH SO MANY YEARS OF BEAUTIFULMAG UNDER THE BELT YOU’D THINK WE’D SEEN IT ALL. BUT NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. TROY PHILLIPS HAD HIS WORK FEATURED IN BRUNO GMÜNDER’S VISION AND NIGHT VISION. BUT SOMEHOW WE MISSED OUT ON HIM WHILE WE RELEASED BEAUTIFULVISION. BUT INSTEAD OF REGRETTING THAT WE SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY. BECAUSE NOW WE CAN INTRODUCE HIM TO YOU TODAY.

Maybe the name isn’t that familiar to you yet, but we are sure you have seen his work around. Troy Phillips. Artist and expert when it comes to editorial, fashion, fitness, beauty, fine arts and portrait photography. And with a diversity in work like that it is almost impossible you haven’t seen any of his work before.

Troy Phillips was born and raised in Oklahoma, USA. With a background in counseling psychology and design, Troy also has a passion for photography which started in his early teenage years. And as we have seen many times already, once that kind of passion is found, it will never go away anymore. Troy’s love for photography followed him like a shadow. He took it with him when he moved to Japan for studies. And it followed him back to the United States when he settled in New York City in the early 1990’s. Still it would take another handful of years before Troy Phillips would give in to his affection for the art and turned it into a career. A successful one as well.

As mentioned before, Troy Phillips work has been widely published. And if you don’t recognize his name, for sure you will recognize his style. Not in the least because he collaborated with Abercrombie & Fitch, and the many celebrities he had in front of his camera. Such as NFL Football player Thomas Jones, international ballet dancer Roberto Bolle, gymnastic world champion and Olympic medalist Alicia Sacramone, actors Cheyenne Jackson, Ben Curtis and Aiden Turner and reality TV star Billy Jeffrey. Troy debuted his professional photography career in 2005 with a fine art portrait exhibition in the prestigious National Art Club in New York and has since then displayed his fantastic work in shows in Osaka, Tokyo, Toronto, NYC and Brooklyn.

Asides from his collaboration in not two, but three Bruno Gmünder photo books, Troy Phillips work has been published in numerous international print magazines. DNA, M Mensuel, reFresh and Blue among them. His portraits have graced many covers and soon he can most likely ad a BeautifulMag cover to that impressive list as well. Today we give you an introduction to Troy’s amazing work and if this visual treat isn’t enough for you, we can strongly recommend you to visit his Facebook page or his official website. Or you can wait for our follow up, which is guaranteed to come soon. –BM-

TROY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY | BEAUTIFULMAG
TROY PHILLIPS | BEAUTIFULMAG

BeautifulMag #137 Week 19-20 | The Greatness of Positive Thinking

EDITORS LETTER

I’ve always been interested by the notion of time and how it influences our lives. The result is that I love reading books about both sci-fi futures and real history. But not only do I feast on novels, it also triggers my own thinking. Since a few months now I am more focused on our past and how it was lived by those living it. Currently I’m indulging myself with the famed novel series The Accursed Kings written by Maurice Druon between 1955 and 1977. A series of 7 novels that tell the true but romanticized stories of the French kings that lived and ruled during the 14th century. The stories are really captivating and they teach us a lot about life and politics during the Middle Ages, which truly doesn’t differ that much from today.

In the second novel, a minister that goes by the name Enguerrand de Marigny gets executed. He was one of the most trusted advisors of Philip IV the Fair but didn’t survive the and court intrigues during the reign of Philip’s son Louis X. Marigny is described and known as one of the most brilliant politicians in the history of France. And that made me wonder. Though the political games didn’t change that much over the centuries, the stakes have. So if Marginy would have lived today, would he still have been such a brilliant player? In other words, what are the circumstances that makes one great. So great that he or she becomes a true historical personality?

Greatness comes in many degrees. Some strive for it. Make it their objective in their life. Not all succeed. And some never give it any thought but faith decides differently for them. Some people reach a form of greatness simply because of what they represent. They become an example for others. I believe that some people can become great by the actions they take. But I really think that true greatness lies in the fact of how some are dealt a bad hand by life, turn this around with strength and determination and make the best of it. The greatness of positive thinking. –BM-

BEAUTIFULMAG | Everything That Is