Ryan M

April 22, 2010 – 12:30 am

I recently had the good fortune of working with Ryan M on a concept I had in the back of my head for sometime.

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Credits: Make-up by Brandon Phillips.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Joshua R

April 18, 2010 – 12:25 am

I first worked with Joshua R on the Dining Out for Life shoot…. a few weeks later he wanted to do a solo shoot. I must admit I was skeptical…. I thought his look was too commercial….. boy was I wrong.

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"These concepts weren't by happenstance, LOL. Not by a long shot. I practiced these ideas before coming to the shoot. In fact, a lot of research went into how I wanted to do these concepts. I believe all models should partake in this kind of preparation instead of just showing and saying, 'I'm here! Where do I change...' Yeah, it's good to just follow the directions of the photographer, but it's even better when you have familiarized yourself with the ideas before hand." - Model Joshua R

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"I really liked this pose, EXCEPT for my knee digging into the steel cross hatching on the floor! Talk about pain ... but could you tell? I don't think so, LOL!" - Model Joshua R

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"I so wanted to collapse on that back during this pose. My ankles felt like pinched cans! I really had to push myself with the pose because my back and neck were giving out. I tried not to show it but after while I had no choice, especially when I fell to floor and yelled, "I can't hold that anymore!" - Model Joshua R

Credits: Make-up by Randall Jenson.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

JaBari Ajee

April 14, 2010 – 1:03 am

After a few years of trying to set something up, Jabari Ajee and I finally got to work together. I think hes worked with more photographers than I have worked with models!

Credits: Make-up by John Gress

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Dining Out For Life

April 10, 2010 – 12:11 am

I had a the great fortune to donate my services to Chicago’s Edge Alliance, which is involved in a wide range of initiatives that respond to the needs of the homeless, people living with HIV/AIDS, the disabled, and veterans. The ad campaign we developed is being used to promote Dining Out For Life, which is an annual fundraising event in North America involving more than 3,500 restaurants who donate a portion of their proceeds from one night of dining to an AIDS charity in their city. Nearly US$4 million a year is raised to support the missions of agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

Please visit the Dining Out website to find an event in a City near you. Most fundraisers occur at the end of April.

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Credits: Hair by Vic Piccolotto. Make up by Deirdra Carney, Randall Jenson and Brandon Phillips. Modeling by Adem Aluka, Jada Banks, Kevin Binion, Claudine, Matthew Enrique Cuff, Leo Franco, Jae, Joshua R, Rachon, Rodrigo Sodre, Jessica Szczepaniec and many more.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness, lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Jafar Idris

April 6, 2010 – 12:58 am

I recently had the pleasure of shooting saxophonist Jafar Idris. It was nice making the switch from baseball bats to an instrument I used to play in high school.

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"John, Brandon, and I were all jokes beforehand, but as soon as the job started, John quickly shifted into the master that he is. The mixture of focus and passion he showed during the shoot reminded me of when I become one with my saxophone for a show. And seeing him contort and position his 6 foot, 4 inch frame just so to get the right shot added some comic relief lol..."- Jafar Idris

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"At one point during the shoot I couldn't help but worry about what my mother would think when looking at some of the photos I was taking..." - Jafar Idris

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"One of the reasons why I (chose) John.... is due to his ability to really accentuate the muscularity of the male figure"- Jafar Idris

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"As fit as I am now, I honestly don't think my abs are as tight as they were 2 years ago when I was 19."- Jafar Idris

Credits: Make-up by Brandon Phillips.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Bretton H

April 2, 2010 – 12:59 am

As you will see in the video, Bretton H is one of the few people I have photographed who are my height 1.93m (6-4).

In case you were counting…. I think there are 109 tennis balls in the frame.

Credits: Make-up by John Gress.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Matt Enrique Cuff 2

March 29, 2010 – 12:47 am

This was my second solo shoot with Matthew,who is always open to new concepts.

"John directs every part of my body and face to create the most of serious looks to the most seductive looks." - Model Matthew Enrique Cuff

"John directs every part of my body and face to create the most of serious looks to the most seductive looks." - Model Matthew Enrique Cuff

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"Most photographers will take 2 pictures for each pose, but John will waste a whole memory card on each pose, It tires me out but he knows what looks right." - Model Matthew Enrique Cuff

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By John Gress | Posted in Fashion, Fitness | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

Tennis

March 25, 2010 – 12:17 am

After months of winter cold in Chicago, I decided to head to Houston for some outdoor sports action shoots. After being in town for less than two hours I met up with models Michael A and Ryan C.

Credits: Hair and Make-up by Carlos Collins

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Tony

March 21, 2010 – 12:19 am

Meanwhile back in Miami…… Puerto Ricano Tony joined me at the beach for what I hoped would be a sun set shoot…. but the clouds got in the way. There are a lot of variables photographers can control… but the weather is not one of them.

At just 1.7M (5-7) Tony is perfect for underwear and swimwear modeling... provided you have a small to estra small.

The Atlantic was just a little too cold.....

The Atlantic was just a little too cold.....

At just 1.7M (5-7) Tony is perfect for underwear and swimwear modeling... provided you have a small to estra small.

At just 1.7M (5-7) Tony is perfect for underwear and swimwear modeling... provided you have a small to extra small.

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I had to move quick as the fading sun slipped between the clouds and the edge of the horizon.

I had to move quick as the fading sun slipped between the clouds and the edge of the horizon.

Credits: Make-up and Styling by John Gress

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Freinds of Braedon B Part 1

March 17, 2010 – 12:15 am

Braedon’s friend CP Holmes, who now goes to school in the southern US, spent a lot of time in Canada and has played his share of hockey. I’m not sure if he played much basketball but I’m sure he did at one point in time. I think you’ll agree that it really doesn’t matter. He looks hot either way.

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"This was my favorite shot... It felt weird holding a righty stick because I play hockey left handed!" - Model CP Holmes

"This was my favorite shot... It felt weird holding a righty stick because I play hockey left handed!" - Model CP Holmes

Credits: Hair by Kelly Tracy. Make-up by Brandon Phillips.

By John Gress | Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)