'I've been photographing "real, normal" men for over 10 years. Perfection is not a requirement and often I've found it to be a detriment. I like to capture that special essence that makes each man a living, unique work of art.'
Jim Wilkinson
It was Jim's eye for capturing that essence in 'normal' men that first drew me to his images. I am not sure how 'normal' Eric Glenn is however. Eric reminds me of a movie star from the 40's or 50's with his dark hair, classic features and body. Jim has literally hundreds of photographs of Eric and he truly looks amazing in each and every one. Jim says Eric truly is his muse-one of the most amazing men he has had the honor of photographing in the last ten years of his career.
'I first met Eric at a Pride Party in Seattle in the summer of 2010. He mentioned to me that he had written to me a few years prior to that day, when he was still in the service. He said that he had inquired about me photographing him. To be honest, I didn’t remember that conversation. I do know that if I had seen a photo of his face, I would have been all over him to do the shoot. Turns out that he subsequently got out of the service, settled in north of Seattle and we lost contact. Till that sunny day that we met. He was hanging with some mutual friends, the intro was made and we set up a time for our first shoot.
I saw a book once where the photographers were asked to show images and tell a little bit about their “muse”. This is the model with which taking a bad photo is nearly impossible. There's such a connection between the photographer and the model that the most casual observer can see it and understand it. Usually one can see it in the model's eyes which seem to open to his soul. And there is a sense of trust between the model and the photographer as the model lets down his guard and “lets the photographer in” to see who the model really is. And in the process, the photographer is able to draw out the very best from the model. That's Eric and that's why I've taken so many images of him. He is the ideal man- my muse.
The plan is do produce a self-published book on him in the not-too-distant future. At the moment, he’s living in another state and going to school. My hope is to meet with him sometime next year and finish the book project. He’s the kind of man that you can’t forget- that smile and that amazing connection just keeps coming back to haunt me.'
Jim Wilkinson
'It has been said that each snowflake is unique. I see each moment in time as an intersection of subject, emotion and light. It is my goal to try to capture some of those unique moments/images before they "melt" away. When photographing a male figure, what grabs my attention is usually the model’s eyes, mouth and facial structure. What I try to capture is the model’s "soul": that unique combination of personality, heart and past experiences that makes each flesh and blood man a one-of-a-kind piece of art.'
Jim Wilkinson
Jim's description of his work parallels exactly what draws me to it. Jim often uses a simple, yet colorful backdrop to showcase his models. I know many photographers use similar backdrops but for some reason they stuck out for me with Jim's work. In looking at his various shots of Eric it seemed each set, even with similar poses took on a different tone, put forth a different emotion with subtle differences in lighting back drop color. In shooting this way the viewer is drawn directly to the model and their face. Yes, Eric Glenn is hot but through Jim's lens it was the subtle grin, the eye twinkle, the the tilt of the head, the position of the body that transforms Eric from simply being hot to being someone special. Jim removes the metaphoric 'filter' many artists use and exposes an essence, a sense of self many work so hard to hide.
Thanks Jim for sharing your work with Eric with FH!
Please check out much more of Jim's work at his MM Page HERE:
& Jim's official website HERE:
