Ace Bannon

Caesar Chair One

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

Yesterday’s most viewed image on my flickr photostream was shot during my most recent session with Caesar, in Las Vegas. The entire series we shot during those days was very different from much of what we’d done together in the past–much more stylized than before. Caesar looks more mature, somehow thicker and more at home with himself in his physique. They are fascinating images, especially when contrasted with some of the earlier shoots we’ve done together.

Ali Matteau ‘99 Jr Nationals 12

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

Yesterday’s most viewed image on my flickr photostream was this one I shot of Ali Matteau when he was competing at the 1999 Junior Nationals in San Antonio. We walked from the show venue over to the famed San Antonio Riverwalk and I shot Ali while tourists passed by–most of them with their chins on the floor because of how ripped Ali was.

I know I say this a lot–but I’ve been really fortunate to have worked with some wonderful men–Ali was terrific to photograph. Very easygoing, almost shy, really. I still count him as a friend.

There’s so much about this image that makes it one of my favorites: how PJ looks, of course, is at the top of the list. He’s sex on a stick, right? That body, that dick, that face… those eyes. But, in addition to that, the few days we worked together in LA that May trip were really great. PJ had fallen in like with someone he had never expected to feel that way about and was in that really amazing state–you know the one–butterflies, floating on air, always wanting to talk about…

So the two of us would hole up in the space and do a series of shots, then hit the road and head out to Venice (or wherever we felt like going) and just talk. We’d always gotten along well, but we became very good friends on that trip. When I see this image, I remember that fun few days.

Jackdmuscle in the Jungle 27

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

This was yesterday’s the most viewed image on my flickr photostream. I shot it in Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago when I had the good fortune to work with jackdmuscle–who has one of the most amazing physiques I’ve ever been in the presence of.

A great guy, very conscious of his appearance on camera, jackdmuscle was an amazing model to work with. He participated in every facet of this shoot, from choosing locations to what he wore. I’d love to catch up with him again.

Yesterday’s most viewed image on my flickr photostream is this one of Joe Stack and Frank Parker. I shot several duo series with Joe and Frank in San Francisco about 5 years ago–this one in their sling room. I’ve always found doing duo photoshoots difficult, but these guys couldn’t have made it easier on me. They did exactly what I asked of them–have a great time together and let me capture two hot men totally into each other.

BigRoger in Green 01

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

This image of BigRoger was yesterday’s most viewed on my flickr photostream. It was shot in Vancouver several years ago when I spent 2 or 3 days working with Roger in a variety of locations.

Roger has always been one of my favorite guys to work with. He’s always smiling, laughing, joking and having a good time–but is also 100% professional and focused on getting the best images.

Chris Ft. Lauderdale 21

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

For the second day in a row, Chris takes the most viewed spot on my flickr account. This is another shot from the series I did with him several years ago in Ft. Lauderdale. I wanted to use as much natural light as possible (I didn’t have much in the way of equipment back then) and there are a number of images in this setting that turned out quite nicely–with a very quiet/contemplative feel. I think these photos really captured Chris.

Chris Ft. Lauderdale 25

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

This was the most viewed image on my flickr photostream yesterday. It is from the same day that I shot Jim in Ft. Lauderdale (see my previous post). I spent the day with Chris, who was amazingly easy to work with, while still somewhat guarded. It’s an interesting thing, to work so intimately with someone you’ve never met before; while the photographic chemistry was definitely present with Chris, the personal connection didn’t really happen.

It’s a shame. He seemed like a really great guy and I would have liked to have gotten to know him better. He is absolutely one of my all-time favorite subjects.

Again, he’s wearing my red cap…

Jim Ft. Lauderdale 17

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

This image was my most viewed on flickr yesterday. I took it many years ago in Ft. Lauderdale. I had spent the day shooting Jim’s housemate, Chris, who later modeled for COLT under the name Marshall Cline. Jim came home from work and graciously allowed me to shoot him–both alone and in some duo shoots with Chris.

Two really great, handsome, confident, masculine men who I have not seen again since.

That’s my red cap Jim’s wearing…

jackdmuscle kitchen 03

Originally uploaded by acebannon.

Yesterday’s most viewed image on my flickr photostream was this photo of jackdmuscle. Like my previous post for the Mark Dalton 01 image, this pic of jackdmuscle was taken in my first (and, so far, only) shoot with him. I’d love to work with him again.

jackdmuscle is such an icon of masculinity to me–really the epitome of a true “muscle man” in my way of thinking–that I wanted to shoot him in a somewhat non-traditional way. Standing in the entryway of his kitchen at home seemed to be a way to juxtapose his bigger-than-life physique with a very ordinary, daily setting, and thereby heighten both his sheer manliness and the normalcy of his existence.