I’ve spent the last week getting settled in Santo Domingo. Officially feel like I’m here now, even though it’s Monday, I’m looking forward to the week…and you should too. Everyday is a blessing, and here’s some stuff I found in the archives to help you through the week.

And don’t forget, I’ve finally gotten myself up and running on Twitter and Facebook. Check us out!!!

Ok so it has been more than 48hrs, but what can I say, I needed time to recover…and of course work. SO…I just need to say, I LUV DOMINICANS!!!!  Eventhough the parade itself was a lot smaller than I expected (15 blocks only), Dominicans know how to celebrate. Of course there were a few situations, but what do you expect?  What I found the most interesting though is that if you removed the tall skyscrapers and the NYC police on EVERY corner, you really wouldn’t know you weren’t on the Malecon.  Dominicans are  a very proud cultural people and they celebrate that everywhere.

Here are a few selects from my parade day.  The last two images are from Sunday night, once the folks hit the streets in Washington Height.  OK, NOW THAT WAS A BLAST, regretfully, I got caught up in having a good time and don’t really have photos I can put “show” on the blog if you know what I mean.

It’s some ridiculous hour and I’m still awake.  I’m not sure if its from pure boredom or because I’m excited about the New York City Dominican Day Parade today.  For as long as I’ve lived in NYC and Santo Domingo, I’ve never actually been to the parade in NYC.  Of course I’ll be there scouting new “swagger” and taking lots of pictures.  Stay tuned, I promise to have some parade highlights up within 48 hours.  Oh, and here’s a new shot of one of the hottest Dominicans in NYC, Rafael Leonidas…ummm, nice flag.

I feel like everyone assumes that all I ever want to shoot are the guys with super sculpted abs and 30 inch waists.  It’s funny because at the end of the day I really prefer shooting guys that have a little more meat on their bones. REAL men that don’t live in the gym, who honestly look more like me. YES, don’t get me wrong, the super sculpted can be fun, but how can you tell me, something like this, isn’t just as sexy?

Yes, there is definitely some muscle under there, but by most model standards, this guy, Johan, is a big boy.  I photographed Johan a couple years ago while in DR.  Funny enough I don’t even know exactly how we came together, but I do know he found me. Literally showed up at my door one day. We talked and he came back a few days later for photos.  Most people would say he’s not my typical type model, and I guess it true in terms of who I actually shoot. However, I approach guys like this regularly, asking if I can shoot them. Though flattered, most say no.  They see, the muscle boys on the site or blog and politely decline.  I of all people understand the power of advertising, but I also know, it’s just a dream folks.  MOST men, really don’t have those crazy sculpted abs. Looking at guys all day with those 30 inch waist and insane abs can be fun, but I’ve realized, it really doesn’t make my 5’8 rugby/football frame any less appealing.  Don’t get me wrong, I would love to trim a few pounds or inches off the waist, and every now and then I hit the gym and sweat it out, but that’s mainly because I want to make sure that my heart doesn’t give out or these arteries don’t clog up from all that fried food before I really get to enjoy all of life’s pleasures. Well maybe not all, but most.

The more I look at Johan, the more I see a sexy, beautiful thick man.  I want everyone to hear this loud and clear…STOP RUNNING FROM ME…just as much as I love photographing the guy with the perfect eyes or sculpted mouth, I also want to shoot those guys with just a little more to hold on too, if you know what I mean.  I have some GREAT ideas, that skinny, and muscled, just can’t do. So keep your eyes open for me…find those guys and send them my way. Until then, here’s more of Johan…

PS. There’s a model I’ve been chasing some time now. Use to live in NYC then moved away to DC for a better quality of life.  He’s one of those models that fits into the thick/big boned category, this one’s a STAR.  And those who know me, know, that’s not something I say often.  I know once, he finally gets tired of me begging him to shoot, it will be magical.  YES…I’M TALKING DIRECTLY TO YOU…QUIT PLAYIN’…I’VE GOT BIG IDEAS FOR YOU!!!

Anthony was right…I seem to have a million photos. Sometimes I honestly just get tired of going through them and trying to figure out what to use. I’ve also really realized, I like photographing the same guys over and over again. Tonight I’ve decided to feature a model that’s really been on my mind a lot lately. I think honestly, I photographed Jaime more than any other photographer.

I met Jaime I think 3 months after he moved to NYC from Santo Domingo. We were introduced via a mutual friend. He was a little older than most of my other models, but as you see, the body was great. The above picture is actually the first photo I ever took of him. For the last 4 years I’ve photographed Jaime maybe twice a year. He never learned English so we chatted using my twisted Spanish, which CRISTIAN now corrects regularly.  We talked often and became pretty good friends. Never really talked much on set, but he trusted me to do what ever I wanted.

As you see, the years moved on or maybe the more Americanized he became, the bigger his body got.  I guess for me it was gradual, but looking at these four images, really tells quite a story.  I guess the images also are getting a little more provocative.  I remember now, the first shoot he did, he didn’t even want to look at me while I photographed him.  He would do anything, as long as he didn’t have to look at me.  WOW, I guess we really came a long way.

Funny enough, it’s about time for us to shoot again, and I’ve just learned Jaime has moved to Spain.  His best friend told me he realized life in NYC was as great as everyone thinks it is and he felt he’d have better opportunities in Madrid.  Well, I could have told him that, but he’ll be missed.  We were really starting to break some ground.  One day I just might break out some of the photos when he REALLY wasn’t feeling shy.  Until then….

It’s hot and sticky…my allergies are killing me…but I’m “feeling good”.  There is nothing better than summer in NYC…or maybe there’s nothing like it. It’s so funny, while in DR I miss NYC and once I’m in NYC more than a week I miss DR. I’ve realized how much I love summer in the city, and even though I miss DR, today I feel like I’m on top of the world.

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by
You know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me

My last few trips to Dominican Republic, visually have been incredible. I’ve been busy editing as promised, and I’m not sure if it’s the images or just the NYC energy, but I’m feeling, this book is going to be GREAT. Here are a few visual treats and some music to serve as soundtrack.  Enjoy the weekend. Let me know what you think

Ok I know, I’m absolutely horrible with this blog thing. I have to admit, sometime I even forget I’m the one who’s suppose to keep this update. Well, I’m back and I am making an effort. Lots has happened. I’ve been shooting like crazy and I’ll be posting some stuff I’m really proud to call my work. I’ve been back from DR for 2 weeks now and yes, I’m ready to go back. NYC is too hot and expensive, but I’m here for a minute. I’ve put up a tasty treat for your enjoyment, Miguel. Actually shot this right before heading down to Santo Domingo. Hope you’re enjoying the summer.

I’ve had the pleasure to be shooting a lot of editorial over the last couple of months as you guys know. Stuff is finally starting to hit the news stands. Hopefully you got a chance to check out the FIGHT CLUB story with Dimension Magazine.

Well here’s something new running in the new issue of Karin + Raoul Magazine.  Me and the crew got a little carried away with this sexy model, MICHAEL MACNEAL.  They kinda cut out our super sexy shots, but we’re still happy. This guy IS fashion!!! As well as being extremely professional, he’s got a cute little uptown booty for a dowtown boy…Can’t wait to get him back in the studio.  The last two pics aren’t running in the magazine, so you’ll only see them here.  Enjoy…

Been shooting a lot, but mostly just working like a field slave. Luckily the weather is getting nicer, and I’m indeed gearing up to head back to Santo Domingo. Here are some of the fruits of my labor. Thanks Dimensions.

check out the full layout at, DIMENSION MAG.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, what can be said about a beautifully sculpted mouth?

As of late, most of my new model finds have been while traveling through Dominican Republic. Cristian I found smack in the middle of Queens, NY. Everyone knows how much I’m always looking for that “New York swagga”, but Cristian seemed to almost be the opposite. Although he lives and works in NYC, everything about him made me feel like I was walking through Mega Centro in Santo Domingo. A friend pointed him out to me while telling me he had seen this guy he thought I would want to shoot. When I jokingly asked, “why, because he’s Dominican?” his reply was, “no, because he has the most beautiful mouth.” I laughed and gave him the, “are you ok look”. Cristian and I were connected via email, where I quickly learned he speaks very little English. I told him right out, I want to shoot you, he replied, OK without even a thought. No idea in mind, just a day and time. He showed up at the studio on time, brighted eyed, and silent. He didn’t ask any questions, made no comments. I gave him 3 pair of underwear and told him to undress. Still nothing. He folded his clothes, put on the underwear, and stepped on the set. I looked through the lens and saw this cherub like face with Dominican sculpted eyebrows and big fawn eyes. It was almost like he wasn’t blinking, he was just staring at me. And yes, a really pretty pair of ruby red lips.  Out of no where, I got a case of the giggles. Then he giggled, and I giggled some more.  We spent the next 4 hours shooting almost in silence. I gave him very little direction, but it seemed we grooved very well together.

When we finished, he dressed, said thank you, and asked when he could see the pictures.  I giggled again and asked him, “was this weird for you”.  He said, “ yes, but it was fun”.

I took alot of pics of him. Some you won’t see until my book is finally complete, but here’s a little taste of our four hours together.   For those interested, he’s 21 and works as a personal trainer at an NYC gym chain.