Chicago Photographer John Gress

After spending a cold Chicago winter cooped up in the studio, I was itching to get outside. The first day over 55F we took Deric Mickens to a construction site and a demolition project so we could shoot swimwear and spring fashion. Once the sun had set, we headed back to the studio to finish the shoot.

"Most interesting shoot I've been apart of yet, Im standing in my undies and people are coming out of a BBQ staring and crowds were forming just down the road. Then behind us there were some weird kids whistling and yelling all kinds of weird things as I try not to crack a smile lol..." - Model Deric Mickens

"It was a warm Saturday in an alley where there was a half torn down building...amazing location. Anyway, from who knows where, these masculine voices shout out whew hoo! Hot body! & when we switched trunks they yelled,"we liked the purple ones better!!!" Oh yeah, the sneakers...Not my idea! I got so many comments sayin love the photo hate the shoes. I guess john didn't wanna be liable for bloody feet,lol.' - Stylist Richard Paden

USA/

Deric Mickens

"We rushed as fast as we could while John and his assistant struggled to get the perfect light from the sun while time was of the essence. I thought it was quite funny watching the two of them callab in such a rush before the sun was gone. We got the shot tho!;)" - Model Deric Mickens