Did you know there is a castle in Ohio? Well, neither did I until
I got a call from the Dark Castle Lords Publishing. Glamorgan
Castle in Alliance, Ohio was to be the location for my long awaited
and much ballyhooed photo shoot with that company. I was really
expecting to be photographed at a miniature golf course or a White
Castle hamburger restaurant. Fellow Ohioan, Pam Seres of DCL assured
me there really was a castle there.
The
first thing I asked Pam was if I should shave my chest for the
shoot. One to the most asked questions I get is "Why do guys
shave their chests for photographs?" The answer is because
it shows off the muscle definition. I've worked very hard to get
the muscle, so I really don't want it hidden in a photo. Although,
I am one of the few cover models that has chest hair and I kind
of wanted to keep it. I always get compliments on my hirsute pecs,
but I've had a smooth chest on every other cover, so it had to
go. Waxing is just too much trouble and too expensive. Nair isn't
cheap either. I just took a few disposable razors and did the
dastardly deed begrudgingly.
I
could drive to this shoot since it really wasn't that far from
where I live. But, I did get the worst directions ever. I was
told to take the third exit after the airport. Luckily for me,
I was sort of familiar with the area. It was more like ten exits!
The directions read "When you get off the exit ramp go right
on State Street." State Street turned out to be fifteen miles
down the road. You can imagine the colorful language I was using
in my car looking for that street. All the while talking myself
into not turning around thinking I was lost or had missed my exit.
I am usually early for my shoots, especially in New York, but
on my home turf I'm late! I finally pulled into the parking lot
to see Pam waving. The photographer hadn't shown up yet, so I
really wasn't late after all...and HE gave me the directions!
After a few hello kisses and hugs I spotted fellow cover boy and
pal, Bill Freda on the cell phone as usual. I would be sharing/fighting
for the spotlight with him for the shoot.
A
few minutes later the photographer, Tony "Uncle Tony"
Kovalchin drove up with a very cute nineteen year old blonde name
Jen. She would also be working with us. After all the introductions
we were ready to begin.
The five of us made our way to the back of the castle to start
the shoot. We began with some preliminary shots. Bill asked Tony
if was going to use a reflector for light, something I was also
thinking but didn't want to ask. Reflectors are large, foldable
reflective discs used to bounce light onto the subjects in a photo
shoot. Tony said "Well, Mike I have a flash...." I had
to laugh because Tony called Bill "Mike" through the
first half of the shoot. Bill is one of the most professional
guys I have ever worked with and took it well laughing it off.
Pam did her best to hold the flash attachment for Tony. We tried
not to laugh too hard when he dropped it on her foot. She threatened
to sue if the pictures weren't amazing.
They
asked us all to wear black pants and white shirts for the shoot.
Bill and I lost the shirts after a few frames in, needless to
say. I didn't shave my chest for nothing! Tony asked me to shoot
with Jen. "Are you looking for father/daughter shots?"
I asked. He sort of chuckled and said it didn't look that way
in the camera lens. Did I mention the girl was NINETEEN? I was
feeling a bit apprehensive about this shoot. Working with a new
photographer outside with lighting that can be unforgiving to
a veteran cover model like me was a little daunting. We did a
few shots when I said Jen needed to change her blouse because
I thought she looked like waitress. I was always taught to bring
extra wardrobe to a shoot and had brought several puffy, pirate
shirts she could easily wear. I thought I may have been overstepping,
but spoke up anyway. We put Jen in a gold satin shirt that looked
great with her skin tone, but it did look like a dress on her.
Tony made an audible groan at my suggestion. Within two frames,
Tony said "YOU have already given me the best shot of the
day. Guaranteed!" He showed us the digital image of Jen and
I. I will honestly say it may be one of the best shots I may have
ever taken. We looked like the regal Lord and Lady of the castle,
a really magnificent "romance" shot. I didn't look like
her father either. I think you will be seeing a lot of it very
soon. Tony kept referring back to that shot the rest of the shoot
with amazement. He even apologized for groaning at my suggestion
about the shirt adding "It worked!"
The
shoot went very well with Bill and I making suggestions to Tony
who took them all with appreciation. Shooting romance covers was
new territory for him and he did welcome the advice. Bill was
always trying to shoot with Jen and who could blame him? But,
Tony finally said "Bill, CJ and Jen just look better together.
I want to shoot more with them. No offense!" Our skin and
hair color did work well together from the digital images I had
seen. It did my heart good to hear that I could still pull off
a great shot with a beautiful young girl. Bill, the young whipper
snapper just took it in stride.
We
ended the shoot as the sun was setting. Somebody came up with
the bright idea of me carrying Jen in my arms. Mind you, the girl
only weighs about 105 pounds, but try holding that up for ten
minutes or so. I know those shots will be spectacular because
the sunset was a perfect backdrop for it, so I won't complain
about the sore arms. The things I do for my art!
The
group of us went out to dinner afterward and celebrated our success.The
shoot went better than any of us had expected. We all patted ourselves
on the back for a job well done. It really was a collaborative
effort by both models and photographer. We usually don't get a
say in any creative input. Tony appreciated it and we worked as
a team. The photos should be out soon.
The
good news is my chest hair is all grown back in now. I guess it
was worth the sacrifice. Like I said, the things I do for my art.
