Unzipped Exclusive! Joel Evan by Boots Bryant—Part 2

Photos: Boots Bryant

When Boots Bryant sent us these photos of Joel Evan, we couldn't believe our eyes. At first we spent some time, ok, A LOT of time, looking at the pictures, but then we knew that we had to talk to Boots to find out about his work and, in particular, what went on behind the scenes at this shoot. Read all about it, and take in all the jaw-dropping pictures, after the jump. (And don't forget, Part 1 of this photo series is here.)

(Click any image for the full pop-up version.)

Boots, have you always shot models? What other things catch your eye as a photographer? What do you prefer to shoot?
A few years ago, Joe Oppedisano came out with one of his coffee table books and I was so impressed that I decided I wanted to photograph naked men. So I jumped at the chance when a co-worker asked me to take some naked photos of him. The photos I took of him were on a shitty camera, but they came out so good it made me want to know what I was capable of with better equipment. So I invested in a camera and supplemental equipment. That guy ended up doing a movie for Raging Stallion actually and I'm still trying to get him in front of my new camera.

How long have you been shooting, what are your plans for the future, and how did you get started doing this? (Sorry if that's like 3 questions in one!)
I’ve been shooting all my life for fun and a few years as a “professional.” I was earning my living as a writer and got to a point where after spending all day writing for work, I got blocked creatively at home, even musically. So I started picking up my camera more and more. I still needed that creative outlet. A few years ago when I was working for AVN I offered to photograph events to go along with my editorial coverage, you know, to be a good employee and save them money. It was great experience and it led me to putting up BootsBryant.com. My plan is to keep moving forward with Boots Bryant being a portal for my more adult, fetish, and erotic oriented images. I'm going to build a site and portfolio for my non-erotic stuff as well. Not everyone who wants to hire you to photograph their wedding wants to see throbbing cock! I have themes for books and calendars in my big book of ideas. I have some sick erotic fiction floating around in my head and tons of songs. I kinda flip-flop back and forth between mediums. I have this insatiable need to create and when I am blocked in one area, like writing songs, I can turn to photography for my outlet. It's all therapy really and it keeps me from wasting my time doing drugs and partying too much.

How did you get connected with Joel, and how did the idea for this shoot in particular come to mind? In other words, were the boots, the mask, etc. his idea or yours?
I met and photographed Joel last October at Rick Castro’s Kinky Camera Club, which meets at Rick’s Antebellum Gallery. I’ve done several of Rick’s camera clubs and it's always fun. Rick had the metal belt we used. I brought the rest of the stuff like the gas mask, boots, sailor outfit, etc. There was a lot of stuff we didn’t use. I always have more than I end up using, but it’s good to have a choice so I can see what works on the model.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Joel. He was so handsome and nice, almost wholesome. Part of me felt evil for putting him in all that fetish stuff, and part of me LOVED every minute of it. He was a good sport and was man enough to try everything we threw at him, even some stocks Rick pulled out of the backroom. By the time I was done photographing him my shorts were soaking wet. He has such a beautiful cock, butt, arms, abs, face, umm...all of it. He isn’t even someone who would normally be my type, not that there is one, but he has "it," whatever “it” is. He’s just sexy and at the same time can look angelic.

He really transformed during the shoot. I think some of the best shots were by the end of the day when he was tired and probably getting frustrated. He had this look in his eye and sometimes when I look at his photograph I can see him being this New York type bully ready to beat the shit out of me. Oh I’m digressing.

You mentioned you’ve been shooting a lot of guys in masks...is this for an upcoming project?
I have this fascination with masks, though I’ve yet to incorporate them during sex, I think about it sometimes. Some of the images in the series I am doing are coming out more artistic and some are more erotic. Again, it depends on the model. Every shoot for it so far has included full frontal nudity and are at the same time anonymous, because it could be anyone you know. I’m covering tattoos and body marks that could identify any of the models. I’ll be running an online exhibit of the Masked collection on my website this summer and some could be part of exhibits in galleries later this year I am planning to do. I’m still looking for models actually. I have a few masks and scenarios that I haven’t photographed yet. Any guys who want to be a part of the series can e-mail me.

What are some rewarding things, or what is the MOST rewarding thing, that you get out of your work? And what do you hope to achieve? What do you hope the viewer gets out of it?
The thing I like best is just sitting and looking at pictures after a shoot, seeing what I did wrong, seeing what to do better the next time, and of course seeing what went RIGHT. I guess it’s an escape from reality at times, and so far it has been a healthy one. By far healthier than other things I’ve escaped into over the years. I hope other people enjoy looking at the images I capture. They are meant to be enjoyed. I just hope the people who might enjoy them will get a chance to see them.

If you could photograph one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

What is this High School? LOL Um… Jesus…? No…Christopher Meloni when he was on Oz. MMM!!!

Comments

[Raul I. Arriagada]

Joel is very hot. I liked his nose, and his ass too!

[Don Normann]

Okay, now I know that Boots and I are kindred spirits. I'm not particularly into fetish wear, though I love what he did with Joel...especially the shots with the sailor's blouse. But that last line about Chris Meloni...I couldn't agree more with that choice!

[Donm West]

Damn hott...but this man needs to be naked...no fucking bondage crap, no Donald Duck sailor shit...naked...smooth, hairless, cock hard, ass up, naked...