The illusive male subject

I photograph children and families and high school seniors most of the time.  The male subject is a rare thing indeed.  So this year I decided to start a project of male models, just for fun.

Periodically, I want to photograph a male that I have met in life – it may be the cobbler down the street or the restaurateur across the railroad or the minister I just met or well, it could be anyone.  But the importance of this project will be to photograph them in a way that reflects who they are – as I see them. 

I will spend some time talking to them and find out their story, then photograph them and post it here on the blog.

I think is going to be a great creative exercise – don’t you?

It sounds easy doesn’t it?  Just find a man, spend some time with him, photograph him and then get permission to post his visual story on my blog… Yeah Right!– it will not be easy. 

Men are one of the hardest subjects to convince to be photographed.  They will talk about themselves for days but put them in front of a camera and something happens.  Sometimes good things happen and sometimes not so good things happen.

It’s going to be my task help them feel comfortable in front of my camera and to share their life with me and you – the audience.

I’m going to start this year off with “Rick Hockman” – my ballroom dance instructor and friend.

August of last year I decide to do something about my weight.  I needed to loose about 80 pounds and I knew to do it and keep it off that I needed some kind of exercise to maintain any level of weight loss.  Like so many people I know, I hate exercise – so I thought “activity” instead of exercise and ballroom dance came to mind.  Why not?  If some of those out of shape celebrities can do it on “Dancing with the stars” then I should be able to and beside, I used to love to dance when I was younger – and thinner!

I called an old friend of mine who used to own a dance studio in the area and asked him who he thought would be a good fit for me.  He told me about Rick. And he was right!

Rick has been a ballroom dance instructor for nearly 30 years and there is a reason he’s lasted this long as an instructor.  Simply put he is the best.  Rick’s teaching method makes it all seem possible and at the same time you have fun – that people is a winning combination. 

Rick used to do competitive ballroom dance himself but as he told me “I don’t need to do that anymore – it is teaching that I love”.  It is obvious.  I took private lessons at first because I was scared to death of getting in a room full of people and making a fool of my self.  After a few lessons, he encouraged me to come to a group lesson and “just try it”.  So I did. 

I am fascinated by people, who they are, what they are like and what makes them tick.  I especially love to discover a person’s passion in life.  It is that passion that keeps us alive. 

I could see in the group class that this is what Rick is passionate about – teaching.  He came alive in a different way.  He watched each person so intently without ever making them feel isolated.  He would then explain things to the entire class (that you knew was meant for you). “Gentlemen, hold her hand this way to lead her” – or “Ladies, its easier on you if you learn to let the man lead.”

I’ve had partners look at me and say “was he talking about me?”  Everyone wants to do well in his class and he makes it easy to do so.  He is very encouraging and methodical about the way he teaches AND you have fun on top of all that.

Rick is a very social person and he cares about each and every one of the people he shares his skill with.  He is a wonderful person. He can teach you how to bring life and grace and excitement into a room through dance.

I’m glad my friend recommended him.  It’s been one of the best things I’ve done for myself in years and I encourage you to do something like it for your life.  I’m happy to say I have a new friend.

Come join us.  You’ll be glad you did.  You can find him on facebook “Rick Hockman” or better yet check out his web site here.

BTW – just in case you’re wondering, I’ve lost 42 pounds and I can move better than I have been able to in years.  I’ve met new friends and I’m a better person for it.

What have you done for yourself lately?