Content Warning... Photos by BIRON

Content Warning:
I Understand And Wish To Continue:


Above Itay Atias.

I frequently get emails thanking me for FH and the way I tastefully present my subjects and the type of photos I choose to share. Every once in a while, I get emails telling me that I wuss out with the blog, not posting enough frontals and commenting on my refusal to post erections, sexual acts and more explicit material.

Truth of the matter is I simply post what I like. I am glad many think it is tasteful, but it really is simply just my taste. The blog is themed as 'My favorites' and I would not spend the hours I do putting features together if I was not passionate about the the subject, the photographer and the work. If I wanted to post more explicit content I would. There are tons of sites out there with much 'harder' images than FH but FH is not just about the photo, FH is about the person in the photo and the person taking the photo. I find more often than not, the 'who' becomes sort of irrelevant in most shots featuring erections. Some artists however (many on the my list of favorites to the right) can maintain the who with the what. Photos By Biron is certainly one of them.



Why am I going down this track...well, two reasons really. Firstly, come this October FH will have been up and running for four years. For the first time in that four years I am truly annoyed by the 'content warning' blogger insists greet visitors as they enter the site. No, of course FH is not for kids but there is nothing obscene about anything on the blog. What is obscene is that television, in America in particular, is full countless acts of violence on a daily basis. Every possible way in which a human being can be butchered, mutilated, murdered, raped and defiled is paraded on television screens nightly for families to enjoy



Last week it seemed the world was obsessed with a woman who most likely murdered her child. The networks, (who once brought us The Waltons & The Brady Bunch) each and every one of them, looked for ways to exploit this story to draw us in. To increase their ratings and ad revenue. Yet...they want to shield our children from the horrors of sexuality. The worst thing you will see on FH is not a penis, it is my horrible grammar! Hopefully children everywhere will grow up to have amazing and exciting sex lives! Hopefully they will not grow up to be decapitated by a serial killer. Yet...guess which one is ok to show to children on television each night...




The second reason thoughts of 'taste' and 'censorship' were running through my head was researching this feature on the work of Photos by Biron. I first started communicating with Biron about a feature over a year ago. My first stab at a profile was using what might be some of his most well known work (at least on the net) of model Itay Atias (first shot above). Biron's 'Sailor Boy' series is an incredible blend of retro sexuality and given all the bullshit surrounding gays in the military, also completely modern, boundary pushing and highly relevant.

I can sometimes however be painstakingly slow in putting together profiles. I like to find a theme, an angle a creative way to present the work of those I am featuring. By the time I got around to putting together my post, Biron's work with Itay was already shared by other sites and blogs. I missed my window and decided to wait until I could come up with something new. Given the massive amount of work on Biron's site (over 50 years worth) you would think that would be easy. The amount of work actually made it much more difficult. I finally, out of frustration, went with his 'butt' portfolio. Easy and safe choice I know. But as much as I loved the photos it was not his pictures that brought about what I wanted to say, it was his writings.



"Our sexual taboos are so strong that respectable photographers are today still forced to qualify their use of male nudity as 'tasteful'"
The Male Nude in Photography and the Erotic-Portrait
published 1997

Instead of rewriting what is already so perfectly written, I encourage readers to check out more of Biron's words which further explore his thoughts on tasteful photography and the many benefits of pornography.

Check out more at Biron's site HERE: and his words section HERE:



Ironically, when Biron was sharing his latest news with me he shared that one of his works is currently being showcased at The Kinsey Institutes Annual Juried Art Show. That image, which you can see HERE: is of Sailor Boy, not Itay this time but Italian model Andrea Faggioli, sitting on a white chair, sporting a beautiful erection.

The Artist's Accomplice: Boston Aiden By FLYFOTO

It has become a tradition at FH that when a holiday is approaching I look to Boston artist FLYFOTO for a bit of inspiration. Although I enjoy the traditional 'feel good' shots usually posted at certain times of year, there is something about FLYFOTO's work that pulls me in. Most of us who have lived past the age of 18 have sadly learned that holidays are not always candies and kittens. Holiday's have a powerful ability to bring out great joy and euphoria as well as the depths of sadness and loneliness, sometimes on the same day and at the same time.



Darkness and light meshed together is one of the things FLYFOTO does so well. Erotic and dark, depressive and hopeful, are all intertwined throughout his work in colorful pieces of art. FLYFOTO'S images are frequently compared to paintings. A touch of Picasso' starkness, The darkness of Dalí, the vibrant colors in Henri Matisse's work, a bit of Vincent van Gogh and Chuck Oberstein all mixed to create erotic, creepy and powerful results.



One other thing often seen in FLYFOTO'S work is model Boston Aiden. The 24 year model has been the centerpiece in many of my favorite of FLYFOTO'S shots. Aiden was the centerpiece of a feature I did last Halloween. (FLYFOTO Does Halloween!) Model and artist have worked together many times, creating literally thousands of images. FLYFOTO'S Joey calls Aiden a chameleon, fearless, and willing to try just about anything in the interest of art.



Below, in their own words, Joey and Aiden discuss their art and their working relationship. The pair also took their time to narrow thousands of images down to 70, and then down to 37, to send to me for this feature. I then had the task of picking my favorites (some of which I could not edit out and will share in a follow-up next week).



The Model:
Boston Aiden

'Back in 2009, if anyone had asked me where I would be in three years I would never had guessed I would be where I am at today. In those years, I have not only grown as a model, but as a person. I owe most of the credit for that to my favorite photographer and friend FLYFOTO.

Joey knows that beauty is different for each person. When working with FLYFOTO I have no worries, I know he will not allow any image with his name associated with it to be anything but spectacular. When the one in front of the lens is so sync with the one behind it, the responsibility is shared to each bring the effort and creativity. Joey and I both share in the benefits of what we have created together. Of course we don’t always agree on everything, but even if I am uncertain of where we are going, my trust in Joey, and in our working relationship, have me confident in the end result.'



'Joey and I respect each others opinions and value each other’s input. I have been fortunate to have collaborated with such a fine photographer, a gentleman and a scholar. We have conquered almost every task that we have set out to do but and there are plenty more to come!'
Boston Aiden



The Photographer:
FLYFOTO:

'I have never been much of a subscriber to the phenomenon of “Muse”.

But then I met Aiden.

It is through him that I have come to clearly understand the true definition of the word “Muse”. There is, without question, a very magical creative energy that occurs when I consider raising my lens to shoot with Aiden. It is through him, that I consistently discover a boundless source of inspiration. It is intangible, indescribable but Aiden has unlocked the doors of my imagination in ways that no one else has, or likely will.'



'Our teamwork began in 2009. Since that time, we have collaborated on hundreds of shoots that have spanned the full breadth of creative exploration. The work we have collaborated on has been limitless in experimentation and in discovery. As each project was launched, my imagination was matched (and often surpassed) by his openness and enthusiasm. He has challenged me to be more innovative, to be more daring, and to think much further “outside the box”. And I have encouraged him to express himself freely, to allow his inner thoughts to emerge visually in the manner that I know he can achieve. The creative kinetic energy between us has been unbridled and explosive'.



'The work we have accomplished has come to represent the essence of our partnership. The images read like little novelettes of our teamwork along the way. Each shoot has been stimulated by our insistence to “out do” our most previous effort. In that simple goal, we have pushed each other creatively in ways that have produced some extraordinary results'.



'There are many photographers and models in the world. And there are countless amazing images that stand as testimony to the magic that occurred when an optimal talent pairing collided. It is however, a rare occasion when a photographer meets a model who genuinely and consistently inspires him. It is even more remarkable that such a chance meeting, can evolve into a powerhouse team where ongoing exploration of their creative synergy is allowed to flourish. With Aiden, I have discovered the true heights of my talent and it is only because he has encouraged it, and then, come to expect it from me.'
FLYFOTO



Check out more of the work of FLYFOTO on Model Mayhem HERE:
& on his great blog HERE:

Check out more of Aiden on his Model Mayhem page HERE:

Shooting Adam Rexx

'I met Albert Lopez at his studio in Los Angeles. Our shoot was the longest to date (for me at least.) The shoot started at about 6PM and lasted until about 1AM. Albert Lopez is a young up-and-coming fashion photographer and clothing designer, and he is amazing to work with!'
AR


Two shots above by Albert Lopez.

Many of you no doubt have seen and heard of model Adam Rexx. Adam says that he is an artist at heart and strives to have his shoots be both creative and artistic. Rexx describes his style as bold, erotic and sensual with a touch of GQ. With these styles in mind, Adam chose the perfect group of photographers to work with, all of whom are known for pushing the envelope within their work.

Adam is certainly a natural in front of the camera. Combining a overt sexuality mixed with a classic face Adam's expressions often become the focus of many shots. The last few months have been busy ones for Adam, working on many new shoots with several photographers to build a strong and memorable portfolio. Adam shares with FH his thoughts on some of his recent work and the talented artists behind the lens.

Three shots below from Ninon Nguyen.


'Ninon Nguyen has this special chemistry with his camera. So everything he shoots turns into an amazing piece of art. He really is incredible and very down to Earth. He is a lot of fun to work with! Ninon and I will be working together again towards the end of July. We shot together last week for the third time.'





Next three shots from Santiago Lucciano Bisso.




Three shots below by Ed Olsen.


'I love working with Ed Olen! He is one of my favorite local photographers. Ed and I will be shooting again this coming Thursday.'




3 shots below by Michael Stokes. I love's Michael's work, so strong, so sexual, so unapologetic. Check out my previous profile featuring Michael's work HERE:


'I can't say enough about Michael Stokes. His work is flawless! Each shot is like a work of art. He is very detailed and precise when executing his vision!'




Look for Adam's official site coming soon!
In the meantime check him out on Model Mayhem and join him on Facebook HERE:

'Write inappropriate comments, post on my wall while you're lying in bed at night, tell me your dirty thoughts, ask me questions that are way too personal! I want to keep in touch with you! I want to hear from you and give you everything you've ever wanted in an internet-boyfriend!'
Adam Rexx

Favorite Click of the Day: Russ Osterweil in TTH

This past March I profiled the work of photographer Russ Osterweil. (see that profile HERE:) I love his work and Russ says that one of the goals within his work is to create something deeper within his images as he is tired of seeing predictable and soulless images over and over.

Osterweil's work has been profiled in a 14 page feature in the current issue of Ticket to Hell Check it out HERE:


Check out more of Russ Osterweil's work on Facebook HERE:

Favorite Click of the Day: Red White & Blue by FLYFOTO

Another holiday and another opportunity to visit the work of Boston's FLYFOTO. Joey from FLYFOTO manages to blend Gothic darkness and vibrant colors within his work to create distinct artistic images that give every holiday a bit of an edge. You can check out much more of Joey's work, including more images from his Independence Day series at his great blog FLYFOTO: Images To Inspire, HERE:

Happy 4th of July from Scott Michalska & Joem C. Bayawa

Earlier this year I profiled photographer Joem C. Bayawa's work with 25 year old Chicago model Scott Michalska. (see that feature below). I really love Joem's work and some of his best comes from his many collaborations with Scott. Scott exudes such incredible strength in front of the camera and when viewing some of his new work with Joem I knew a follow up was in order! Given the American flag theme in some of the shots what better day than today feature more of Joem's work with Scott.



Scott not only models he is also a writer and actor. One of Scott's recent appearances was in the new video from Rise Against for their song Make It Stop. The Chicago punk band has joined with the It Get Better Project with the song Make It Stop (September's Children) written by Rise Against member Tim McIlrath. The song tackles the subject of bullying and is sending the message to to its fan base that the bullying and harassment of LGBT teens needs to stop and that suicide isn't a solution Check out the video on Youtube HERE:



See more of Joem's work on MM HERE:
Check out Scott's page on MM HERE: