New Face – Patrick

Model Patrick Martin has a naturally stunning and unique look.  Although he is young and completely new to modeling, he seemed very comfortable in front of the lens.  His fiercely sharp physical features are contrasted by a very calm, shy vulnerability that adds a compelling  depth to his images.  The combination of all these attributes gives Patrick a versatility that will definitely serve him well in what has potential to be an amazing modeling career.

During our photo shoot, and as we were racing the sun to the finish for the day, we lucked into some perfect light.  With the warmth of an evening sun, a variety of my favorite locations in Downtown Grand Rapids, and some phenomenal wardrobe styling by my assistant Dan Parker, the images truly do wow.  This shoot actually featured some of Dan’s very own creative and fashionable designs.  Combining DPark Fashions, some vintage clothing, and a suit provided by AK Rikks, we were able to really push the variety of our looks on Patrick.  Thankfully, Patrick was adventurous and versatile enough to pull it off effortlessly.

Enjoy! – JM

Doug – Portfolio Shoot

Model Doug Summers is as laid back as he is tall.  That made for a very laid back and easy day behind the camera. His boyishly clean features and shocking blue eyes were completely natural in front of the camera for this, his very first photoshoot.  If I hadn’t have known better, I would never have guessed Doug was a rookie.

Braving the bitter wind of a brisk fall day in Michigan, Doug didn’t let out a single complaint as he laid his bare back against the cold steel of our shoot location.  While myself and my assistants were bundled up against the elements, he was jumping around in nothing but a pair of shorts for some portions of our adventure.  There is definitely professional blood flowing through his newby veins.

Already jumping headfirst into the modeling biz, walking in shows such as Grand Rapids Fashion Week and Local Threads, I look forward to see where Doug goes with his career!  At this pace, he should have a lot to look forward to.  Enjoy! -JM

Assistant: Andrea Caitlyn

Assistant/Stylist: Daniel Parker

The Category of Sexy

While they have never graced the cover of British tabloids like the photo shoot’s inspiration David and Victoria Beckham (W Magazine), Craig and Alyssa definitely held their own in the category of sexy.  There was no doubt when we arrived to our set (a single bedroom apartment dressed to look like a seedy hotel) that this shoot was definitely going to get hot.

While I have shot many photo series that I would categorize as sexy, and worked with many models in that category as well, the natural chemistry between these two married models literally made me sweat.  There was no hesitation, no awkward warm-up time between two strangers working together for the first time.  It was simply a matter of stripping them down and throwing them in front of the camera.

I hope we did our muse couple, Becks and Posh proud with these images.  If working with married couples could always be this insanely sexy, I would have to consider adding a new package to my list.  Enjoy! -JM

Hair and Make Up: Hanna Wagner.

Set Stylist / Assistant:  Daniel Parker.

Poster Boy!

I have always felt my images would look pretty stellar on any wall.  Now, thanks to Plan B bar in Madison, Wisconsin and designer Todd Wendrick, it has come to pass.  Todd and I became friends years ago before both of our lives and careers lead us out of Michigan and in different directions.  It was a feature of my photography on a blog that actually brought us back together.

I have been very flattered by Todd’s constant compliments of my work, and am so excited he chose to feature one of my images in a poster for this upcoming event.  Todd and I have also been tossing around ideas for a collaborative project that should be VERY exciting, although we aren’t ready to release any details.  I’m looking forward to the future of our professional relationship!

Well, without further ado, here’s the poster!  Enjoy!  -JM

Anthony VonBargen

INDUSTRIAL WONDERLAND.  There are rundown abandoned factories, and then there is the Powder Factory in a small town outside Cincinnati, Ohio.  Climb through a window or crawl in over a crumbling wall and you’re transported to a fantasy world.  Vines, trees, and moss grow freely inside its dilapidated walls;  nature reclaiming the territory industry once tried to steal from it.

As I shot this series of photographs, I couldn’t help but imagine model Anthony VonBargen as ruler of these ruins.  Even in this amazing setting, Anthony demanded the attention of the camera.  His body lines and shapes were spectacular.  As a fashion photographer, I can ask for nothing more than a model who knows his/her body and how to move and shape it as well as Anthony did here.  His ease and calm commanding presence truly made these images what they are.

These images were shot exclusively for YVYmag, a stellar online blog and magazine full of amazing photographers, models and stunning photography.  I am more than honored to be published in the company of such great talent!  Be sure to take a look!

Look for more photo shoot collaborations between Anthony and I soon!  Enjoy!  -JM

All About Me! – Self Portait

So… I thought maybe a little me time was in order.  I was recently interviewed for a blog and was asked for pictures of myself.  I realized that I spend so much time behind the camera, that I hardly have any!  So, my Sunday afternoon was spent with my equipment, my camera, myself (and the camera timer of course), partying like a supermodel in the basement!

Being a fashion photographer I couldn’t resist changing my outfit a few times.  From there it was just about having a little fun!  I’ve been so busy lately trying to start my photography business and The Matthew Agency here in Grand Rapids… that I’ve been stressed, to say the least.  It was nice to just cut loose and be a nerd for a few hours.

With out further ado, I give you… ME!  Enjoy!  -JM

Tied Up & Chained Down

Do you prefer to be tied up, or chained down?   Today I bring you both in a combination of two series shot with model Wesley Lunsford.  Among my first attempts at editorial photography, here are two stories, both shot in a different city and months apart.  It is truly a coincidence that they… um, tie together so well.

In Tied Up, the photo shoot took us to multiple locations around Memphis, Tennessee.  I wanted to show the versatility of ties, that they are not just for formal occasions.  A tie can make any outfit just that much classier, even when you’re not wearing much at all… you’ll see what I mean below.

Chained Down was photographed on the rooftop pool deck of a building in Nashville, Tennessee.  Shooting at night, the city got lost, but with the focus on the model and his chains, who would have been looking at boring buildings anyway.  I wouldn’t dare to say that chains are nearly as important an accessory as a tie is, but they sure are sexy.

As I continue to grow in my career and shoot new and amazing images, I hope to still periodically bring you flashes from my photographic past.  These two series are just some of the archives I plan to share, so keep checking back!

Oh! And, by the way, which do you prefer?  To be Tied Up?  Or Chained Down?  Leave a comment below and let me know! Or at least which of the two series you liked more!  Enjoy!  -JM

Tied Up

Chained Down

It’s an Abercrombie Life

It very well may have been the Abercrombie and Fitch Quarterly that first sparked my interest in photography. I remember wondering how one small magazine could cause so much controversy, especially when the images inside were so beautiful! A&F Quarterly did exactly everything right. Beautiful people in beautiful locations; it was everything everyone wanted to be.

Abercrombie and Fitch became known for more than clothes, it was now a way of life.  The clothes insinuated (often very wrongly) that those wearing them lived the lifestyle pictured in the Quarterly. According to the images, an Abercrombie Life was a coed fantasy existence lived on islands, in cornfields, and wearing very few actual clothes.

Yet for me, there is still a viceral attraction to the fantasy of an Abercrombie Life.  Gorgeous bodies with no need to cover up.  Casual, comfortable, and effortless.  Models Jacob Wolfe and Jeff Richards are perfect examples of the type of men you would see living this life.  As fit models for A&F, every piece of medium and large size men’s clothing is approved on their body before it goes to production.  They brought the casual and the effortless to this shoot, it couldn’t have been more of a pleasure working with them.

We shot this in the countryside outside Columbus, Ohio.  Gorgeous country locations and these two perfect all-American men really made the series what it is.  Oh, and what’s a series about Abercrombie without a little unnecessary rear nudity?!  Enjoy! -JM

This post contains images some viewers may find inappropriate.

Sweat It!

Speedo.  Say the word and, for most people, an image comes to mind of an overweight European with a hairy back walking down the beach, his gut swinging like rubber over the top of his banana-hammock.  Thank God for some amazing fashion designers who have brought a LOT of sexy back to men’s swimwear.  I was so lucky to have companies Rufskin, Ami Sanzuri, AussieBum, N2N Bodywear, and Andrew Christian donate some incredible fashions for a photo series!

Cut to the day of the shoot.  I thought shooting Flashed was a tight squeeze… After cramming six models, a make-up artist, an assistant, a wardrobe stylist and myself into a 4 person sauna, the space I had to work with in Flashed was a cathedral!  The models were troopers, often contorting their bodies into painful positions in order to fit into this space.  I think the wooden background was truly worth the cost in the end.  Add in the effect of hot sweaty men in hot suits enjoying a hot sauna…and I think we’ve got a pretty HOT series.  I hope these images inspire you to rethink your perception of the “speedo.”  Enjoy!  – JM

Hair and Makeup by Hanna Wagner

Ryan in Rufskin.

(Left to Right)  Joe in Andrew Christian, Colin, Jeff, James and Ryan in Ami Sanzuri, Jake in N2N Bodywear.

Joe in Rufskin, Colin, Jeff and James in Ami Sanzuri, Ryan and Jake in AussieBum.

James in Ami Sanzuri, Jeff in Rufskin, Colin in AussieBum.

Jake in Rufskin.

James in Andrew Christian, Jake in N2N Bodywear.

Colin in Ami Sanzuri.

Joe in Ami Sanzuri, Jake in AussieBum, Ryan in N2N Bodywear.

Jeff in AussieBum.

Joe in Andrew Christian, James in AussieBum.

Jake and Ryan in Ami Sanzuri.

Colin in Rufskin, Jeff in Ami Sanzuri.

(Top) Jeff in Ami Sanzuri, Jake in Rufskin.  (Bottom) Colin in N2N Bodywear.

Joe in N2N Bodywear.

Adam – Portfolio Shoot

The first thing you’ll notice when you shake hands with Adam is his stunning blue eyes.  The second is the strength in his handshake.  Adam is one of those guys that has no lack of confidence.  He exudes a firm self-assurance, perhaps because of his strong looks or perhaps because he runs his own very successful internet company.  Having already mastered online business at such a young age, he’s turned his efforts towards using his good looks to rake in some more dough.

We started the day at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.  We shot some images in his room, near the pool, and around the city.  Then we went on the hunt for the perfect field.  Adam had a special request for some classic black and white Abercrombie style images.  I think we succeeded.  Enjoy!  – JM