Working with AJ

f/3.5 exposed at 1/15th sec. ISO 100 using my Nikkor 50mm f1.8 prime.

I first worked with AJ about seven months ago. This photo is taken from our third photo shoot together and I think we have both come a long way since January. He has done a great job keeping his physique in excellent condition. He has also grown accustomed to my collaborative working method and always shows up for the shoot full of ideas and with a bag of props & clothing. 

I storyboard every shoot to keep myself organized and on a schedule. This shot was originally going to be a three quarter portrait with AJ holding a mirror near his face. Because I didn't want any finger smudges on the mirror I asked him to wear a set of leather gloves. One of the props AJ brought to the shoot was this huge tow chain. After taking a couple photos of his face I glanced at his hands on the chain while it draped down from his shoulders to his waist. I thought it was an interesting, somewhat narrative image and perfect representation of the kind of collaboration I enjoy from my models.

 f/3.5 exposed at 1/15th sec. ISO 100 using my Nikkor 50mm f1.8 prime.

This is one of the mirror shots and one of my favorites from our shoot together. Without intending to this segment of our shoot produced a lot of low-key, Bruce Weber-style images.

Mark William Mills Images