December | Week 4

It's officially here, y'all! The day some of us wait for all year long - Christmas Day. Spending the day with loved ones, giving gifts from the heart, and not missing out on any cookies. This week's playlist brings together Christmas classics we've all grown up listening to, sung by even bigger classics. Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Perry Como and more delight our ears this weekend for the big day. Sit back, snuggle up in that slightly tacky throw your aunt knitted those many years ago, and enjoy our December Week 4 playlist. Don't forget to follow us on Spotify to catch up on our previous December playlists, and be sure to tweet us to let us know which one is your favorite. From our family to yours, we wish you a very, Merry Christmas. 

1. Winter Wonderland - Ella Fitzgerald
2. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
3. Silver Bells - Perry Como
4. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
7. Snow - Rosemary Clooney
8. A Marshmallow World - Dean Martin
9. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
10. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano
11. Sleigh Ride - Mel Tormé
12. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
13. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Own Less, Do More: An Interview with Zack Helminiak of Nomadix

We spoke with Nomadix Co-Founder Zack Helminiak to discuss products that blend well with a functional lifestyle, being active, and how one eco-friendly towel can do it all.

How did you get started creating?

Zack: In the winter of 2008-2009 we were all working for Vail Resorts in the Rocky Mountains. Chace was a snowboard instructor, Hunter was on-mountain guest services, and I worked in a rental shop. We had many adventures that year, including a springtime trip to Canyonlands in Utah. That first night was sat around a campfire overlooking the Canyon, sipping cheap brandy (Hunter’s camping M.O.), and hatched the idea for a company that makes eco-friendly, multi-purpose travel products. Shortly after landing in California, we began designing a towel that fit the California lifestyle of weekend camping, weekday surfing and yoga, and really anything you can throw at it.

Who taught you to start your own brand, or were you self-taught?

Z: For the most part I would describe us as self-taught, although I wouldn't want to take away from anyone that has given us advice along the way. We’ve received advice from family, friends, and other business owners in Southern California that was definitely formative. Small businesses also lean on each other to promote, throw events, and give advice, and we have benefitted from that community. But if you look at the day-to-day of running a business; we wanted to build a brand that is a voice for environmentalism, and in that we are carving our own path, not taking shortcuts, and much of that is self-taught.

Did you know you would start your own brand, if not what spurred it?

Z: All of us have had a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, since we were young. I don't want to say that I knew the future, but none of us took much convincing once the idea for Nomadix formed.

How do you get new ideas for products and photo shoots?

Z: Ideas for our products, both in function and design, come from travel. Our products are designed to perform in every activity you encounter, they have travel inspired prints, and we test them thoroughly on the road. Our photos are typically not from a photo shoot. They are almost always documented photos of our travels, and we always bring a towel.

That goes for customer submissions as well. Our customers, whom we love, have sent in photos of themselves with a Nomadix towel on all seven continents. Even our best photos are much more candid than they might appear.

What are you inspired by?

Z: We are inspired by adventure travel and environmental activism. Companies like Patagonia, leaders like Doug Tompkins and Elon Musk, the photography of Chris Burkard, our friends at Changing Tides Foundation, and the folks that run Fashion Revolution. There are a lot of voices, large and small, that speak up for the environment and respect the outdoors. We believe that the most important players in combating climate change are consumers, and you see a similar mentality in the campaigns run by some of our role models.

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

Z: Our hobbies are very directly responsible for the creation of Nomadix. We are all very active, whether it’s surfing, yoga, traveling, camping, or rock climbing. We also spend a good deal of time traveling internationally, and are very passionate about the environment.

A few years ago there was a specific towel for yoga, a different towel for camping, and another towel for the beach and surfing. It seemed both expensive and wasteful to buy three/four towels when one would do, so we created a towel that performed in every activity. We decided to make it 100% recycled according to Global Recycle Standard to keep plastic out of the ocean, and the Nomadix towel was born.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Z: Our biggest challenge is that we want to make a big impact, but as a small business you have to start slow. But starting slow is also our strength. We have built the business in a very “grassroots” way, starting with crowd funding, then going door to door at yoga studios and surf shops in Southern California. It was a slow process, but it makes all the difference to meet your customers face to face. If we started with a bigger advantage (money, connections, etc.), we might not know our customers, and our business, as well as we do.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

Z: The best advice I’ve been given was on a 10-day camping trip when I was a kid. Our camp counselor told us the number one rule is “leave no trace.” This is something that we struggle with today. Consumers rarely think of the product life cycle when they buy a product. Where does the packaging go, how long will I use it, can it be recycled?

We believe that every product should have a carefully thought out plan for the end of product life, which is why our towels are 100% recycled and recyclable. Our next phase of the company will be to create a recycling system so people can turn their towels back in when they are done with them. Our towels are durable and we’ve only been around for two years, so this situation has not come up yet.

What's your favorite thing about sharing your art with others?

Z: The best thing about sharing our art with others is the photos we get from travelers. We’ve gotten photos from every continent now, including Antarctica, so there are tons of customer stories.

One that stands out in my mind; A recent customer, Lexi, did a 14-day bike packing trip in Tanzania with The Foundation for Tomorrow, from Mt Kilimanjaro to the coast. The organization does amazing work in education, and they usually bring a few students on the trip. The Tanzanian student that joined them on the bike trip had never seen the ocean before, so it's was very inspirational. During the trip, Lexi thought to snap a photo of her Nomadix towel and send it to us. It’s so special to be included in moments like that.

For more on the Nomadix brand, visit www.nomadix.co

Lanona

We recently spoke with the man behind Lanona, Ben Ransom, about seeking inspiration, personal hobbies, and how wanting one pair of custom shoes turned into the creation of many shoes for his very own company.

How was Lanona founded?

Ben: Our brand first started when I went on a search for a custom pair of shoes. I found a shoemaker in the US that had been hand-stitching shoes for over 30 years and recently setup a small operation out of his garage. Through the process of working with him, adjusting designs and observing what a quality shoemaking process looked like, it sparked my interested to start a footwear brand.  I continued to work with this shoemaker for over two years before our brand was launched. In addition to product development, I’ve been lucky to partner with @ocupop for our brand identity and overall design, they’ve been instrumental in telling our story and connecting the dots with where we want to go as a brand.

Were you always interested in starting your own business?

B: I was. I studied Entrepreneurship in college and have family members that ran their own businesses. After school, I focused a lot on experience and sought out diverse opportunities to build a broad range of skills like - marketing and sales for a manufacturing company, field work - installing towers for wind energy farms, and selling vintage gadgets to name a few.

How did you learn the trade of boot making?

B: I don’t personally construct each boot from start to finish and don’t want to take away from the talented craftsmen and women we work with on a daily basis. But all of my knowledge within the industry has been self-taught. I can attribute most of where I’m at now to -  getting out there, not being afraid to ask questions, being humble, and building a network of people you can trust and rely on.

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

B: I enjoy sailing, we have a sailboat on Lake Superior. The Spaulding boat shoe is a direct inspiration from being on the water. It’s definitely my go-to shoe while sailing. Our Harrier outsole is super lightweight and gives surprisingly excellent grip on the boat and dock.

How do you get ideas for new products and photo shoots?

B: A lot of ideas come from vintage footwear. Gokey was a footwear manufacturer based in Minnesota that offered a wide variety of styles and I’m always scanning eBay and other sources for interesting designs they had. As for ideas that are finally produced, we try to envision the customer and how each style will be used on a daily basis. With that in mind, we work towards structuring a photo that would resonate with that vision. Additionally. we’ve been lucky to partner with some really great brand ambassadors who naturally work well with our existing styles and we give them freedom to be creative with our products in the field.

What's been your biggest challenge?

B: Our biggest challenge has been getting our brand in front of people. Lanona is a true bootstrapped operation and we don’t have investors or a trust fund to dip into to put towards a sizable marketing and advertisement budget. We have to rely on word of mouth, and let our products speak for themselves. This is a slow growth approach, but we believe that operating lean now, will pay off down the road.

What are your inspirations?

B: A big part of my inspiration for Lanona is weather related. Having a home base in Minnesota, the elements can get pretty harsh, especially in the winter. Our products need to accommodate for that fluctuation in temperatures and weather conditions. Another inspiration is the focus on sourcing and producing all of our products in the US. Working closely with everyone involved with our production of our brand is inspirational and motivation to continue to grow our business and be competitive within a global market.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

B: As we continue to grow as a brand, I like to keep this saying in mind, which was given to me from @leatherworksmn - “little pigs get bigger, big pigs get slaughtered”

What has been your biggest lesson?

B: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Focus on what products or services resonate best with your company and build off of that. Don’t compromise quality to accommodate growth.

What's your favorite thing about sharing Lanona with others?

B: The favorite thing is seeing our product out on the streets. It’s great to see what was originally a concept/design/sample, turn into a boot that someone wears around town.

For more on Ben and the story of Lanona, visit www.lanona.co

December | Week 3

Today marks the day for Week 3 of our December Playlist series, and this week it’s a bubblegum pop Christmas! We’ve covered country and indie/rock so far, and now it’s time for a new genre of cheer to make it’s way through. Featuring the ultra sweet sounds of holiday pop favorites, such as *NSYNC, Ariana Grande, Wham! and more, this playlist is sure to get you in that extra festive spirit! It’s a blast in a red and green colored martini glass for cryin’ out loud! Make sure you’re not behind, only nine more days until days until Christmas and seven until our Week 4 Playlist comes to town! Be sure to follow us on Spotify, and tweet us your favorite Christmas pop anthems this season!

1. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Jackson 5
2. Man With The Bag - Jessie J
3. White Christmas - Michael Bublé and Shania Twain
4. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - *NSYNC
5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Kylie Minogue
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey
7. Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson
8. Last Christmas - Wham!
9. Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande
10. That's Christmas to Me - Pentatonix
11. Oh Holy Night - Christina Aguilera
12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Sam Smith
13. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Pursuit of Intimacy: An Interview with Dusty St. Amand

Dusty St. Amand is an incredibly talented photographer living in New York that we had the pleasure of interviewing. His work is absolutely beautiful and can definitely be described as sexy. Be prepared to have your breath taken away. 

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Christophe: When did you first become interested in photography?

Dusty: I’ve had my eyes on erotic and/or pornographic media for a *long* time. I’ve always been inspired (whether it sent me towards good or ruin) by the way homosexual sex and intimacy was depicted in art and in the media. I’d venture to say that an obsession with intimacy has pushed it out of my personal life and into what is now my photography. The camera is how I choose to participate in conversations about the sexual and emotional lives of men. I’ve been playing with cameras for just under a decade but I’ve been more focused on shooting with intent for the past 3 years.

C: Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor?

D: I’ve been fortunate enough to grab a lot of technical information from friends and from the photographers who used to photograph me (I “modeled” as, like, an "art-hobby"). From the shoot to the final photos, I was absorbing a lot know-how from the other side of the lens. I follow a lot photographers on Instagram who I see myself reflected in. With really open eyes, I take notes from them constantly. All the photo info in my head was entirely self-sought, but communally taught.

C: How did you develop your style?

D: I think limitations guide your style. I used to live in the Bronx with a tiny, narrow kitchen that I shot in. I had one tall blueish softbox light that barely fit in front of the models and I taped a grey curtain to the far wall. And I only had a fixed 85mm lens, so I’d have to press myself into the last inch of the opposite corner in order to fit the model in the frame. All of my images were coming out with extreme shadows and were often cropped into specific body parts. My obsessive nature started to thrive in that light scenario. It was moody and sensual and sexy and sad. And that’s the vibe I incorporate into everything now.

C: What themes do you explore through your work?

D: I play with identity. Sometimes I want the people in my images to have no discernible face or name so that more viewers can look on with empathy, less altered by bias or attraction.

When you boil an intimate and/or sexual experience with another person, so rarely are you absorbing all of the visual information they offer in one scope (as a photograph would). We take one another in through glimpses. Flashes of tone and motion. I like to see those vignettes that make you feel like you’re there. A neck, shiny from a kiss. The middle of the back where the muscles butterfly outward. The gap in the teeth. The belly, overgrown with fur. My work is occasionally lonesome. Occasionally manic and egotistical. To me, it’s delicate.

C: How do you find and choose your subjects or locations?

D: Many of the people I have photographed have not been purposeful models. A lot of them have been friends and lovers who I happened to have near my camera. But a lot of them have also been those dudes that twinkle to me. They’re either beautiful in some specific way or they’re fresh off a big achievement or they vibrate somewhere near the weird plane of thought I live on. Locations are so circumstantial. If terroir is important to whatever I’m trying to express, I do what I can to organically factor the surroundings into the work. I like to go walk and shoot too.

C: What inspires your work?

D: How delicate masculinity is. Taboo feelings towards sex. My pursuit of intimacy. Humorous men who are honest with themselves.
Sex workers.
Porn.
Dance.
The body compartmentalization and dehumanization of the people we fuck.

C: How do you compose an image? Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting?

D: The latter. I try a ton of different settings throughout and see what sticks. If it’s a winning location, I take my time and compose things. Otherwise I’m just buzzing about, clicking.

C: What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art?
 

                                    D: How to balance performativity in work and life- learning to commit to things because I love them not because I want to be perceived as loving something.

C: Why did you choose your craft?

D: It’s my way of telling stories in a very digital image-centric cultural.

C: What do you hope your art says to people?

D: That intimacy is something everyone needs and deserves.

C: How hard was it to become profitable at it?

D: I’m still working on that but… if you can manage to find a good client or a good array of clients that pay you enough to keep yourself a float and maybe then some, reinvest into yourself while you have the money to do it. Freelance jobs often won’t have deductions in your pay, so a huge tax bill can hit you if you’re not managing and writing off expenses to balance that a bit. It’s kind of a feast or famine career (not photography in general, but this very unique career that I’m still in the process of starting).

C: Any suggestions to newcomers to the field?

D: I’m totally still a newcomer to photography, in a technical sense, but I’ve been an artist within some medium or another my whole life… so let’s say the field is “profitable art when you’re a person who finally reached their breaking point and vowed to stop working for other people in jobs that brought you misery”. Just do what you love.

Make work that’s you, through and through. Devote your time and resources (whenever possible) to getting better, networking, and promoting your work. All of the work that’s come my way is from clients who found me because they love what I’m already generating.

C: If you couldn’t be doing your craft, what would you do instead?

D: Singing
while gardening.

C: Any favorite moments of your career so far?

D: I’m currently shooting a large portion of the visual assets that Grindr uses to market themselves globally. Millions of people engage with my images every time they’re featured. Getting hired by them (and subsequently hired again and again) has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding professional experiences I’ve had. Shooting HBO’s ‘Looking’ star, Raul Castillo, was pretty rad. And I got to photograph this kid that I was really mean to when I was like 11 years old and we became friends.

C: What would you do differently if you could start from scratch?

D: I’d fill more of my time with technical training (lighting and studio management) so that I’d have been able to utilize those skills to support myself during slow financial times.

C: Is there a defining moment in your career so far?

D: I had my own solo art show at The Leslie+Lohman Museum for Gay and Lesbian Arts, in Manhattan, during this past Pride. The show ran for three days and I sold three pieces into the museum’s collection. That was pretty fucking major.

C: Is there anything you really enjoy in your craft vs another line of work?

D: I like that I’m able to engage people in honest, emotional conversation as opposed to hiding my feelings for the sake of hospitality.

C: Biggest pet peeve about the industry?

D: There are so many industries attached to photography, so I definitely can’t speak to everyone’s experiences. But I can address concern within the social/artistic queer sphere that I find myself in- I just want people to maintain some level of clear-headedness when it comes to comparing oneself to the curated projection of people’s lives and personas. These flat, tiled images are rooted in reality but they aren’t reflective of the way things truly are. They aren’t full truths.

Ben: Is flannel really always appropriate?

D: I don’t think I own any, but I also don’t try to be appropriate.

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I for one am very happy Dusty isn't just singing in a garden. His passion for photography and people is definitely displayed in his powerful and beautiful work. You can see more of his work on his website and Instagram.

Instagram: @Dusterzdeux

Website: SuchDustyPhotos

Our Favorite Holiday Fudge

Fudge isn't just a holiday dessert, it is a lifestyle. I normally advocate healthy eating and living, yet when it comes to fudge, just throw sugar intake and serving size out the window. I have always been mesmerized by the wide diversity of fudge flavors, so to discover some that embody the holiday season makes this year a whole lot sweeter. If you're a fan of fudge, Christmas, and all things delicious get ready for some mouthwatering delights. 

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Hot Chocolate Fudge by Wonky Wonderful

Curling up with a cup of a hot chocolate is a holiday staple. The slightest chill in the air is a reason enough to break out the cocoa. This year you don't have to just enjoy the pleasure of drinking hot chocolate, but devouring it as well. You don't have to be a professional confectioner to make it either; it's 4 ingredients and made in the microwave!  The sweetness of milk chocolate combined with the creaminess of white chocolate topped with marshmallow goodness is reason enough to throw a holiday party.  

Recipe on Wonky Wonderful

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut fudge by The view from Great Island

Hazelnut isn't just a flavor for lattes or Nutella, it adds the perfect crunch to this silky smooth fudge. This is a rich, filling fudge that will leave you satisfied, yet always manages to convince you to take another nibble. Dark chocolate and nuts are a timeless combination that pair well with holiday season. Fudge always makes for a wonderful gift that is easy to make and even easier to eat. It may not be that easy to give away once you have a taste though!

Recipe on The View From Great Island

eggnog Fudge by baking beauty

Another favorite holiday drink has been transformed into edible satisfaction. This creamy eggnog fudge will have you singing Christmas carols in seconds. Quick and easy to make, this a must for your holiday parties. Topped with nutmeg, these delicious bites make for truly happy holidays. 

Recipe on Baking Beauty

Candy cane fudge by barefeet Kitchen

By the time the December rolls around, there always seems to be an abundance of candy canes to go around. Whether for decorating or eating, these peppermint treats seem to surround the holiday season. They definitely are a Christmas Classic, but it doesn't hurt to add a little something extra to the mix. Especially when that little something is scrumptious chocolate fudge. Oh, did I mention it only takes 5 minutes to make? Never again am I going to throw away perfectly good candy canes now that I have this simple and delicious recipe. 

Recipe on Barefeet Kitchen

Gingerbread Fudge By DELISH

It's not Christmas without gingerbread, whether houses or little cookie men. I enjoy the flavor thoroughly, but they tend to be quite dry. Not anymore! Now we can enjoy the spiced goodness of gingerbread complemented with the smooth, silkiness of fudge. You're gingerbread house might may make for a festive decoration; this fudge will make a flavorful sweet feast for all your friends and family to enjoy. 

Recipe on Delish

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Okay, enough waiting. Go put on some Christmas tunes and turn your kitchen into your own personal fudge factory. I'm sure your mouth is watering just as much as mine, so enough reading! Pick a recipe and start fudging! 

Our Favorite Gingerbread Recipes

Christmas is just over two weeks away from now, which basically means it'll be here before we know it. To make the holidays more festive we are compiling all of favorites of the Christmas season. You can make all these treats and crafts with friends and family or even to give out as presents. Lets spread love and joy (and sugar) this holiday season.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies by Made to Be Momma

You can never have enough cookies during the Christmas season. Whether you are leaving them for Santa or eating the whole cookie sheet yourself, these soft gingerbread cookies are scrumptious. Perfectly soft and spiced, this recipe makes cookies that will practically melt in your mouth. 

Made to Be Momma Website

Gingerbread Pancakes by Cooking Classy

Why not start your day off right by whipping up a batch of gingerbread pancakes? The spiced sweetness of gingerbread paired with the fluffiness of pancakes makes for a delicious breakfast. Chowing down on these pancakes while enjoying a nice cup of coffee is the perfect way to start the day filled with the holiday spirit. 

Cooking Classy's Website

Gingerbread Loaf by Taste's of Lizzy T's                     

For all of you loaf lovers, this is the perfect seasonal recipe for you. This gingerbread quick bread is a recipe that has been perfected. The soft, sliceable loaf has the perfect consistency. Aromas of molasses, nutmeg, and ginger filling the air are reason enough to give this delicious a try. This is simple recipe makes a tasty gift for friends, family, and neighbors! 

Tastes of Lizzy T's Website

Chewy Gingerbread Brownie by I Heart Eating

 

Brownies are my absolute favorite dessert, so to find a gingerbread brownie recipe was a Christmas dream come true! These brownies are soft and chewy and have the distinct gingerbread flavor perfectly partnered with chocolate. If you're looking for a way to spice up your brownies and make them more festive, this recipe is a definitely for you. 

I Heart Eating's Website

Gingerbread Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting by My Busy Family

Cupcakes are never a bad idea, especially when they are topped with cream cheese frosting. Throw gingerbread into the mix and you have an irresistible Christmas treat. These cupcakes are moist and wonderfully spiced. Perfect for parties, not only will they leave a yummy taste in your mouth but will fill the air with the scent of cinnamon, ginger,  allspice, and all things nice. 

My Busy Family's Website

These recipes are incredible and we hope you and your stomach enjoy following them. Baking is a wonderful opportunity to get together with family and friends and create something delicious all while spreading Christmas cheer. 

December | Week 2

It's Week 2 of our December Playlist series today and we hope you're just as excited as we are! This week's playlist is curated to fit the likes for all of you hipsters out there with impressive enough beards even you might get mistaken for Santa Claus. So let that moody, natural lighting in, take a VSCO filtered Instagram photo of your trendy yet minimal Christmas decor, and listen to the sweet sounds of Paul McCartney, The Lumineers, She & Him and many more. Don't lose track, only seventeen days until Christmas, and eight until our December Week 3 Playlist! Make sure to follow us on Spotify so you don't miss a beat (literally), and tweet us your favorite holiday jingle suggestions!

1. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town - Bruce Springsteen
2. Santa Stole My Lady - Fitz and The Tantrums
3. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
4. You're Just Like Christmas - The Crookes
5. The Man with the Bag - She & Him
6. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen
7. A Great Big Sled - The Killers + Toni Halliday
8. Lonely This Christmas - Lucky Soul
9. Tracks In The Snow - The Civil Wars
10. Christmas Lights - Coldplay
11. Blue Christmas - The Lumineers
12. Happy Xmas ( War Is Over) - John Lennon
13. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

December | Week 1

Happy December, y'all! Today is an extra festive day not only because this is our first ever playlist, but because we're launching the first of four holiday playlists for this month! Four weeks until Christmas means a new playlist each week. Every playlist is separated by genre, and what better way to kick things off than with a two-steppin', nothing but twang, country Christmas! Featuring twelve holiday classics sung by country artists both new and old, along with a Christmas hit to really get you in the extra festive spirit, give this playlist a listen while sitting by the fire, in the kitchen whippin' up some family recipe sweets, or even in a rocker on the porch. Be sure to follow us on Spotify, and let us know which Christmas songs you enjoy on Twitter! Now y'all come on back next week for an all new playlist, ya hear?

1. Country Christmas - Loretta Lynn
2. Christmas Cookies - George Strait
3. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Kelsea Ballerini
5. Let It Be Christmas - Alan Jackson
6. Tennessee Christmas - Amy Grant
7. Christmas Makes Me Cry - Kacey Musgraves
8. Silent Night - Johnny Cash
9. Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton
10. Celebrate Me Home - LeAnn Rimes
11. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Faith Hill
12. Winter Wonderland - Brett Eldredge
13. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Our Favorite Brooklyn Instagrams

As we prepare for American Field - Brooklyn to take place this weekend, we wanted to share with y'all just some of our favorite Brooklyn Instagrams! Which Brooklyn Instagrams are you following that you think we should be following as well? Let us know! Can't wait to see you at American Field this weekend!

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@brightbazaar

Will Taylor is the creator of the colourfully popular blog Bright.Bazaar and author of two successful interior design books, photographing his vivid journeys one photo at a time.

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@ryanfitzgibbon

Ryan Fitzgibbon is the founder of a bi-annually published magazine, beautifully curated to explore the stories of men who date men, better known as Hello Mr. And he also happens to take wonderful photos as well.

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@JustinLiv

New York City lifestyle blogger of Scout Sixteen, Justin Livingston writes about fashion, home, and travel to inspire and seek new discoveries for others.

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@SweetPaulMagazine

Drawing inspiration from his Norwegian aunts and grandmother, Sweet Paul is an adorable and cuddly lifestyle. With modern and elevated Scandinavian design in mind he creates a colorful world of crafts, food, and lifestyle content.

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@tuckerstanton

He's not just another freckle-faced kid, Tucker Stanton Howe is a king of casual luxury, travel, and style. A Texas born New Yorker with an eye for design, the elegant masculine form, and his pup, Theodore.

American Field - Nashville

This past weekend we had the pleasure of being at American Field's first pop-up market in Nashville, Tennessee. Taking place at Track One, just outside from downtown, an eclectic and creative group of American made makers opened up shop to the people of Music City. We wanted to feature a few of our favorite brands in attendance who we feel should be your favorites too. Check 'em out! Photos by Zack Peterson

Be sure to come to the next American Field market happening in Brooklyn, NY on December 3rd and 4th! For more details, click here and don't forget to follow American Field on social media (Instagram, Twitter)!

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B u l l

a n d

B u c k

Boston, MA

Ball and Buck; a brand designed around one mans vision to create the best American made clothing. Created for the man that believes in quality, integrity, tradition, the wildness, and the excellence that only American can produce.

For more on Ball and Buck, visit ballandbuck.com or follow on Instagram, @ballandbuck

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R A N G E R

S T I T C H

Nashville, TN

Nashville local Matt Davidson is the master behind the machine of Ranger Stitch. Creating beautiful custom Chain stitched art in the bed of his Ford Ranger, this one of a kind look is a forever classic.

For more on Ranger Stitch, visit rangerstitch.com or follow on Instagram, @rangerstitch

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T H R O N E

W A T C H E S

Brooklyn, NY

Starting out by giving vintage watch faces new life by re-strapping them with a  new, top quality leather band, Throne Watches has seen much success since launching. Now having made three original lines (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) as well as various leather goods, the guys at Throne are eager to see what time will tell for them.

For more on Throne Watches, visit thronewatches.com or follow on Instagram, @thronewatches

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L I L Y A N 

J A M E S

Nashville, TN

With a handbag collection made from equestrian leatherwork, Lilyan James' philosophy behind each and every piece is to cater to the everyday woman; creating lifelong bags that are each individualistic in their own way. Whether you're on your way to a meeting, wandering around the city at night, or rushing out the door for brunch, each shape of every accessory is crafted to help you live your best life.

For more on Lilyan James, visit lilyanjames.com or follow on Instagram, @lilyanjames

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W H E A T

& CO.

Nashville, TN

Dan Rouse of Wheat & Co. offers a top notch selection of quality made apparel and lifestyle goods right here in Nashville. Partnering with local barbershop Scouts, the two believe that quality wins all for a purposeful life. 

For more on Wheat & Co, visit wheatandco.com or follow on Instagram, @wheatandco

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M O R T O N

&

M A B E L

Nashville, TN

The best in children's clothing is here, and it's brought to you by Mortan & Mabel. Started on the idea that clothing for growing kids should be simple and timeless, while being made with the finest of fabrics to be passed on for many years. Made in the U.S.A. and working with Soles4Souls, there's no other way to dress the next generation.

 

For more on Morton & Mabel, visit mortonandmabel.com or follow on Instagram, @mortanandmabel

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Queer Expression: An Interview with Kirk Lorenzo

Kirk Lorenzo, a queer Latino from New York City, shared with us his journey of discovering a passion for photography. His work gives voice and sheds light on topics such as identity and queerness.

Embrace yourself, Express yourself. Love yourself.

Christophe: When did you first become interested in photography?
Kirk: Ooof, ummm...I wanna say sometime in early high school. When I was super obsessed with having a very well curated tumblr blog! My blog consisted of photographs and illustrations I found to be beautiful and inspiring, so that interest has sort of been there for a while. I just never acted upon it till my first year of college; four years later when I finally picked up a camera!

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C: Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor?
 

K: I've been in an art specialized learning institution for the past eight years of my life, so all of it has been learned from teachers, professors and other practicing artists!

                                                      C: How did you develop your style?
 

K: Hahaha, definitely via tumblr! Who hasn't fallen in love with a beautiful VSCO film emulated photo on tumblr? However I don't use VSCO as often in my own work, but I do give my photos a film-y emulation I've put together myself on photoshop.

C: What themes do you explore through your work?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              K: Being a queer man, sex, non-monagamy, queerness, bsdm, and politics such as race, class, age and gender.

C: How do you find and choose you subjects or locations?

K: Towards the beginning it was a lot of asking guys I hooked up with if I could photograph them, so I'd find these men via Grindr and Scruff ("Dating" Apps for queer men), though mainly Scruff. Then Instagram and now its a mix of those two plus Facebook and folks I've meet in night life/friends of friends! Locations? I tend to wander a lot by myself, I'm also constantly on google maps searching for the "green areas", and if it's not an outdoors location it's sometimes and indoor location that can be anywhere from a friends place I've visited, to a subjects home, to a bar, etc.

                                             C: What inspires your work?

                                  K: Sex, nature, sex!
Hahaha, but on a serious note yes sex, nature, but also night life, queerness, bsdm and the politics that surround our everyday lives!

C: How do you compose an image? Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting?
 

K: I started composing my images for the purpose of how I curated them on Instagram, but now its just become second nature and I do it even with my images that I deem more "fine art." However it tends to be a mix of both, I do go into a shoot with a specific shot in mind but the inspiration also often strikes in the moment too!

C: What do you hope your art says to people?

K: These queer bodies existed, were resilient, and pushed through.

C: What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art?
 

K: Learning how to trust myself.

C: Why did you choose your craft(photography)?
K: I came out of high school certain that I was gonna be a painter but when I got into college I realized I was getting frustrated with not being able to articulate what I wanted to say as quick as I wanted to say it. Being a slow painter on top of how slow painting is as a medium, was getting to me. So I ended up picking up a camera, and became relieved at how in sync I was with the pace of the medium.

C: How hard was it to become profitable at it? 
K: Hahaha, it's still hard. I wouldn't say I'm anywhere near as profitable at what I'm doing as I'd like to be, but I don't doubt I will be soon. Currently finishing up school is consuming a lot of my time so I just need to finish up school so I can start filling up this wallet!

C: Any suggestions to newcomers to the field?
K:Trust yourself, remember that there's not one way to do things, be ethical, and stay humble!

C: If you couldn’t be doing your craft, what would you do instead?
K: Ooop, I don't like this question haha! I've always led myself to believe that art is the only thing I'm good at. I don't like following directions, I don't like being told what to do, and I DO NOT like 9-5s haha. But for the purpose of this question I'd have to say something along the lines of an outdoors instructor, flight attendant, night life stuff or like social work or something.

C: What would you do differently if you could start from scratch?
 

K: Not a single thing!

C: Any favorite moments of your career so far?
 

K: Oh oh oh! I'd have to say meeting the beautiful and inspirational people I use to see on my tumblr feed who I wouldn't have thought I'd ever meet and getting to befriend them as well as being able to photograph them. All the internal fan girling I've done throughout my career thus far is kinda humorous!

C: Is there a defining moment in your career so far?
K: Constant ones, moments like this where others want to interview me about my me or my work, the messages I get from others asking me that they want my work in their publication, as well as those messages I get from others wanting to shoot with me. We all have tons insecurities and it moments like those that remind you that you must be doing something right. Those are the most affirming moments during one's career! 

C: Is there anything you really enjoy in your craft vs another line of work?
K: Printing my photographs. As someone aspiring to be a fine artist when I get to print a photograph to display somewhere and get to see the image on paper and not just through as screen. It's a very blissful and magical moment.

C: Biggest pet peeve about the industry?
K: The politics surrounding accessibility; people who can just up and quickly purchase the latest gear and think that because they own expensive gear that It makes them a photographer. Along those same line, people who claim they're a photographer and take their access to resources for granted. There are some of us who have to work twice or even three times as hard to get access to the resources some of our "contemporaries" have. 

Ben: Is flannel really always appropriate? 
K: Depends are you aiming for some masc4masc foolishness? Or are you serving some butch queen looks?

Photography is a powerful form of expression that Kirk uses well. His art is barrier shattering, dialogue creating, and all around beautiful. To continue following Kirk's work you can click on the links below. Instagram: @kirk.lorenzo  Website: kirklorenzo

An Interview with Photographer Beau Simmons

Beau Simmons is a 26 year old photographer/cinematographer living in Laguna Niguel, CA. His fresh creative outlook provides amazing content that is never boring or repetitive. Whether it is landscapes or portraits, you can be sure his photography will be beautiful and the highest of quality. 

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When did you first become interested in photography?
“I first became interested in photography at a pretty young age when my Father was a film photographer/sports journalist. It didn’t become a serious profession until about 2013 though.”

How did you develop your style?

“Lots of late nights spent on my computer and head banging to hard rock music.”

Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor?
“Self-taught”

What themes do you explore through your work?
“I like to either capture old school 70’s/90’s looks or put the model in a very unique location/landscape.”

How do you find and choose you subjects or locations?
“I love to visit National Parks and find new places or I find random spots in neighborhoods with great lighting.”

What inspires your work?
“Always looking back at photos I’ve taken and thinking of new ways to recreate them.”

How do you compose an image? Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting?
“I tend to be pretty tedious with my shots. I usually put the outfits, poses, and locations in my notes and just shoot until I have everything I wanted.”

What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art?
“Don’t look at other photographer’s work. Stick to one style.”

What do you hope your art says to people?
“This shit is amazing.”

Check him out on Instagram @beausimmons to continue seeing moments of beautiful people in stunning places. We have enjoyed following Beau for a while now and it was a privilege to get together and hear more of his journey as a photographer. 

Meet Dylan Neuhaus

My Name is Dylan, I am a 22 year old student/retail manager/photographer who currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. Autumn is my favorite thing about living in the Northeast, to me there is no better subject on earth to photograph. There is something magical about throwing on your favorite boots and flannel, hopping in the car, and heading North towards New Paltz, stopping routinely to take photos of old rotten buildings, broken down rusted out cars, and of course for apple cider donuts. Spending a lot of my youth in Connecticut, I grew up exploring the state and finding some of my favorite spots that I continue to go back to year after year, and as of recent I have been spending a lot of time exploring the Hudson Valley, which has quickly found a special place in my heart. Autumn will most likely keep me living in the Northeast for the rest of my life, next year I hope to take all of October off from work, so I can travel the area, and shoot countless rolls of film throughout the entire month. 

Instagram @Dylanxneuhaus

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O'SHEA WOODWORK

Meet Benjamin Shea. He is a maker that runs a small business in Pennsylvania crafting beautiful pieces of wooden furniture. Hearing from him and being able to see his fantastic work was an absolute delight. 

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Photo by  @rafael_fontana

My name is Benjamin Shea and my wife's name is Amanda Shea, together we run O'shea custom woodwork and furniture design located in Lititz, PA 

I always loved working with my hands, creating, building and fixing things. 

I used to be in the music industry but found that I enjoy crafting furniture better. 

I made the jump over to building furniture before I was married, I figured it was the right time and I had recently moved to a farm house that had more room for me to build. 

My wife and I design everything we build, we love working with wood and creating beautiful functional pieces that fit people's need and style. 

We've built so many pieces and in so many styles over the years but have come to find that we love simple and clean lines to our pieces, more mid century/Danish influenced. Our favorite wood to work with is probable walnut because there is so much beauty in it and it's a long lasting wood. 

We have seen that the more we grow and find our own style and make furniture that we love and turn down some jobs because it doesn't represent us that well, the more we grow as a business. 

We live in a farm and live a pretty quiet life, we love it that way. We have 5 dogs and love having them around in the shop. 

We love meeting new clients and making relationships with them, being genuine, thankful and actually caring about people creates a beautiful life in where everyone that you meet becomes a experience that brings more joy to what we do. 

Every piece we make has a lot of attention and that is something that translates and is clear in our products, nothing is just ran through without being looked at over and over. 

From the beginning of the process, quality is never compromised because styles will change and people change but our pieces are made to live long past all that. 

Our lumber is responsibly sourced and we know all our suppliers pretty well, we take our dogs to play with their kids and we try and make it about more than just making money for everybody. 

 Photo by  @rafael_fontana

One of the biggest lessons we have learned is how to communicate better and find out what people want. People don't always know what they want, even when they "know what they want" 

Our products can be found both on our site and on Etsy. We ship everything anywhere in the USA. 

We aren't a big company and we don't plan on having a bunch of employees ever because we don't want to lose contact with our clients and we want to be able to know who they are and they can just call us and talk to us. 

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O'Shea Woodwork is a business that embodies the values that we cherish here at Folk. Family, hard work, authenticity. Check out any of the links below to share you support for the important maker movement that they belong to. 

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ETSY 

OSHEAWOODWORK

           WEBSITE 

OSHEAWOODWORK

INSTAGRAM

@BENSHEA

Our Favorite Southern Maker Instagrams

The Maker Movement is incredibly important to be aware of and a part of. It creates jobs, quality goods, and allows for sustainability, creativity, & durability to thrive. Take the time to support not only the Makers that have stuck out to us below, but also the ones in your area. It is vital that we don't just consume, but we also create. 

ManReady Mercantile @manreadymerc

Founded 4 years ago by Travis Weaver from Zephyr, Texas, ManReady Mercantile is the epitome of what being a maker is all about. Their small business is founded on the principles of honesty, hard work, and integrity. ManReady Mercantile sells a wide array of high quality goods catered specifically, but not exclusively to men. Not only are they makers themselves, but they are always looking to work together and collaborate with other makers to continue creating goods that will last a lifetime. 

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Great Bear Wax Co. @greatbearwaxco

Great Bear Wax Co. are makers who sell memories with a wick. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, GBWCo was founded by Jake Carnley with the idea that lighting a aromatic candle is like igniting a memory or moment. From Lavender  to Tobacco Bay to Rose, the scents they capture in wax are delightfully soothing. The Great Outdoors seem like only a flick of a lighter away when there is one of these Great Bear candles in the room.  

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Loyal Stricklin @loyalstricklin

The craftsman at Loyal Stricklin can be found working in their studio near the railroad tracks in Opelika, Alabama. Fed up with mass produced low-quality goods, Michael Stricklin founded this durable goods company to commit to making goods of the highest quality from the best materials. Their handcrafted and American made leather products are not only appealing to the eye, but durable and practical as well. 

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Lucy's Inspired Jewelry @lucysinspiredjewelery

Lucy's Inspired Jewelry is handcrafted and uniquely made from vintage chandeliers, architectural salvage and found keys. Another maker found in Alabama, Lucy Farmer definitely has a creative eye for design and repurposing. She does not merely craft jewelry, but strives to make a difference in her community. One of those improvements is raising awareness for sex trafficking by donating to a local organization in her city. This maker is using her brand to give inspiration and spread beauty all while making fashionable pieces of jewelry. 

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Sturdy Brothers @sturdybrothers

These two brothers are dedicated to creating waxed canvas and leather goods that are handcrafted with American-made materials. Located in South Georgia, Sturdy Brother's products are made for those who still enjoy getting their hands dirty. Sturdy Brother's lives up to its name by its desire to create and craft beautiful goods that will last, while also rekindling craftsmanship in America. 

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Elizabeth Suzanne @elizsuzann

Elizabeth Suzanne is a clothing company based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Yet, they are so much more than just a style of clothing. A community of diverse and powerful women make up the company and customers of Elizabeth Suzanne. They are committed to making garments from amazing, durable fabrics with designs that are practical, timeless, and elegant. Their commitment to quality and customers is something seldom seen in the retail world today. 

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Old Try @theoldtry

Old Try is home decor for Southerners made by Southerners who are living in Boston. They have expanded to make art for other regions besides the South, so don't worry all of you north of the Mason/Dixie line and in the Wild West. Their decor encapsulates the unique essence and character of each state. It is patriotism with tact and style that is seldom easy to find. 

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J. Stark @starkmade

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, J. Stark creates bags, accessories, and homegoods meant to last. Their goods are crafted with a timeless and authentic aesthetic paired with usefulness and practicality. They have a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from for their products. Sourcing everything from the US of A, this is a true American makers brand that wants to bring us back to the time of hard work and hand made. 

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In God We Must @ingodwemust

In God We Must are makers of provisions and apparel located in Marietta, Georgia. This business is founded on hope, positivity, and perseverance. Check out their website to read the inspirational story of how IGWM was started. Whether it is a ring or a t-shirt, the message of In God We Must is to embrace the pioneering spirit inside of us all. 

Erotic Meets Ironic: An Interview with Freddy Krave

FREDDY KRAVE is a young photographer whose art is thought provoking, inspiring, and absolutely one of a kind. His message is one of embracing oneself and being free in your own skin. It is refreshing to see someone so talented living authentically while doing what he loves. 

Christophe: When did you first become interested in photography?

Freddy: Since I was a little kid. I’ve always “had a thing” for photography.

C: Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor?

F: Self-taught. I never had the chance to study photography, I have a big lack when we talk about lights, settings, lenses. I think I’ve just developed my own personal style with my basic gear.

C: How did you develop your style?

F: Speaking of..Well since I didn’t want to take bad pictures using natural lightning and since I didn’t know how to use at the best the environment, I just thought that using a white wall was a good idea. For me it was like drawing on a blank paper, creating something from nothing.

View fullsize

C: What themes do you explore through your work?

F: I’m a big lover of the human body. I just wanna feel free to show it without fears or censorship. I would define my work “eronic”, a mix of erotic and ironic. I love the part of being sexy but at the same time I love the part of being silly.

C: How do you find and choose you subjects or locations?

F: Some of them are my friends, some of them thanks to social medias. I just ask, if they’re interested we shoot! The location it’s pretty easy to find. I just need a white wall, usually my place is my home made studio.

C: What inspires your work?

F: I’m inspired by my inner thoughts and by music. Music really is my muse. The thing is that I just wanna do things. I have no limits, sometimes I really feel different from other people, but I try to embrace this feeling.

C: How do you compose an image? Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting?

F: I wanna give life to that blank space! The subject is the spark in the dark. Sometimes I have a certain shot in my mind but often I just do what I wanna do when I start to shoot. I think it’s much more sincere and natural.

C: What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art?   

F: Never listen to what people say. Just be yourself and always be true to what you are. If someone won’t appreciate it, there is no big reason to be sad, certainly someone else will love what you do. The most important thing is to have control about what you’re doing.

C: What do you hope your art says to people?

F: I would love to be understood by everyone in a parallel universe (lol), but knowing that this isn’t possible, I just want them to feel free to think what they want. I’m so open minded that sometimes I ask myself, “Is it possible to be more open minded that how i am at the moment?” I could never expect from people to see only what I want them to see.

And that is the one and only Freddy Krave. We here at FOLK are all looking forward to seeing more of Freddy and his photos. His work is a reminder to keep an open mind, live authentic, and be eronic.

Tumblr: Kraviation | Instagram: MrFreddyKrave

If you would like to purchase Freddy's work, click here

Top 10 Best of Fall

Experience the different aspects of Autumn submitted by folks from all over the place. Fall is a beautiful season of change and celebration, so enjoy the diverse perspectives offered by these photographers. Keep a look out for our next round up for a chance to be featured!

 @zapiratene

White Mountains of New Hampshire by @mattupham featuring @trussardigordon

 a quiet house in the highlands of Scotland by @davidtfbarry

From @mihiamelie in Croatia

Blue Ridge Parkway by @kristaramsay

@coldoctober

Loree Rowland @loree.1

Jamie Martin

M Burney Photography

Panagiotis Mavrakis

Q & A with Helias Doulis

We had the privilege of hearing from Helias Doulis, a young photographer from Greece living in London whose expressive work capturing portraits of people is thought-provoking, breathtaking, & poetic. See more of him and his work on his website and Instagram @helias.doulis

When did you first become interested in photography?

I started taking pictures when I was in my second year as an undergraduate student back in 2014 at the University of Wolverhampton, which had almost nothing to do in terms of similarity referring to their subject, to the ones that I have mostly been shooting during the past year or so. I started shooting abandoned buildings across the city that I used to live in the UK, and after breaking up with my first partner, I wanted to explore my feelings within random partners and the different seasons of the year in nature. This series is a completely unpublished one, which I still hold on to in order to create an exhibition which would contain my true self at beneath and above its roughest hours.

How did your Nurtured Nature series develop?

I was shooting some photographs with my muse, back in 2015, in Greece, and more specifically at Limanakia. That’s quite common for us though, since I use his body as an artistic canvas where I can most of the times reflect myself upon, like creating a mirror that is not physically existing, yet is always managing to create a never ending emotional surface for both of us. It was just a month after our shooting for my first feature film that is now eventually completing its post-production process. He had lost more than ten kilos to be able to present his character on camera, so his body was extremely skinny apart from weak. We created random body shapes besides the rocky landscape of Limanakia in different times and types of daylight, when I realized that I wanted him to be a Siren within a project along more bodies.

Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor?

I am a self-taught photographer who is experiencing his different emotional spasms with the support of the lenses of a camera, reflecting his filters upon poetic visuals.

What themes do you explore through your work, a dichotomy of nature versus nurture, or an exploration of humanity in nature?

There is a continuous fight between what we are designed to be with by Nature and what we have been armed to be with by Nurture. Nature in terms of a womb, in terms of a mother who is eternally giving birth to her creatures, yet Nurture in terms of a society, in terms of a father who is eternally killing his creatures’ sensibility upon the tomb of masculinity and patriarchy. The exploration of what men have been equipped to be with, the exploration of society’s expectation of them to be presented and act through their nurtured selves while running towards the shelter of Mother Nature.

You feature many types of landscapes in your work, sensuous rock formations and meadows. What do those settings speak to in your work and it's mood?

The setting for my ‘Parabyss: A Nurtured Nature’ and ‘Blossom of Solitude’ Series has been a rocky shelter where men can find a haven to exist freely and be protected by the threatening public eye of the viewer, who is always awaiting to corrupt their sensitivity across the shore. The ‘Sheltered’ Series was shot in Macclesfield Forest, in Manchester back in November 2015. I wanted to expand on that tightness within the expression of the bodies and the way they present themselves in adverse weather conditions while trying to survive. It has been the key point of my first exploration while using a female body as part of a photographic project in order to visualize Mother Nature as a desperate yet always resourceful body among the freezing meadows of Cheshire.

You compose your subjects in positions you don't normally see in portrait photography, how do you decide on those positions and what stories do they tell?

My aim is to highlight the creature’s path within the destructive environment, a dystopia that allegorically may vary the true identity of each one of us. The beautiful world of the Pre – Raphaelite paintings present the protagonists sitting sullen and sad, while in my own shadowy world, creatures – with beauty being conquered by desire – dare to look at the viewer, overcoming the shame they may feel. This shame, dipped in the persecution, is what I am trying to capture through the body.

What inspires your work?

Since my studies are on the Literary and Cinematic Writing, the art of speech is endlessly catching my attention when facing a human being or a landscape. Poetry, makes me realize that the human being is itself a landscape waiting to be explored. Leaving behind so many artists that have inspired me from this form of art, I will focus on some photographers and filmmakers, whose works have served as stimuli to my whole work, such as George Platt Lynes, William Klein, Greg Girard, William Gedney and Nan Goldin, whose aim was to create living statues exhale sensitivity or power, indolence or pleasure, ‘victims’ of their own desires and old memories. Regarding directors, I will deliberately mention Aleksandr Sokourov and Bill Douglas, who present their heroes always corrupted by misery, destitution, hiding behind the dust or debris.

Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting?

Within the first shots, I wanted to undress the Man of the coat that Magritte and Beckett gave to Him, the armor of which is said in the Three Guineas of Virginia Woolf that has supported the masculinity syndrome, and to reveal the vulnerable body, the enduring one. While observing my models and the movement that I wanted to create with their bodies, I realized that this is the time for me as an artist to reveal that sensitivity that they can hide in order for the viewer himself to reflect on the society’s garment that he is wearing, either.

How do you compose an image?

The poses are sometimes clear in my mind even before I get the camera in my hands and way more often when there are several models together, born at that time as the bodies exist one next to another, seeking to enliven with a touch.

What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art? What do you hope your art says to people?

Since I was a little boy, I wanted to create a shelter where everyone can hide himself from harness, wear or death. And even if I still find myself helpless or obsessed with what the past used to mean in my life, I do take the time to stay at home and hide myself from everything when I suddenly realize that there is nothing stronger than showing your weaknesses to overpower that scared little boy that is now crying to see the light of beauty, within my adult body. 

Our Favorite Southern Instagrammers

We wanted to take the time to share what Southern Instagrammers we have loved following as fall is unfolding all around us. Experience Autumn in the South as each one of these accounts takes you on a unique journey honoring southern roots and celebrating the essence of this beautiful season of harvest and change. 

Brothers and Craft @brothersandcraft 

Brothers and Craft is comprised of 4 brothers who are a creative visual team focused on discovering community and craftsmanship. They are based out of Charleston, South Carolina and are the creators of the outerwear brand Tekkima. Wander all around the South as these brothers explore and discover the individuality of different cities like Asheville, Charleston, and Nashville. Creativity and stories abound with every post, there is not one that we want to miss!

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Rush Jagoe @rushjagoe

Rush Jagoe is a Kentucky born, New Orleans based editorial photographer. I maybe a little biased considering I grew up in the Louisiana swamps, but Rush's feed makes me feel like I'm standing in the bayou surrounded by cypress trees laced with Spanish moss listening to the chorus of frogs. Simplicity and authenticity are the words that come to mind when I am looking at his work; each picture seems to stand alone yet flow together seamlessly.

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Tyler Sharp @tylersharpphoto

Tyler Sharp is a Creative Director, photographer, and writer based out of Texas. Bright and lively, Tyler's Instagram is a breath of fresh air. The Great Outdoors is never far from his feed. There is a certain vibrancy and color rich experience to each post that you can't find just anywhere. As the colors of fall continue to surround us, I definitely know where I will be looking for some rustic autumn moments. 

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Chandler Bondurant @chandlerbondurant

Chandler Bondurant is a commercial and editorial photographer currently based out of Atlanta, Georgia. His work is relatable urban living combined with the exploration of the breathtaking outdoors. Whether it is a cup of coffee in a hip Atlanta coffee shop or glaciers in Alaska or photo projects in Africa,  Chandler's feed is that of authentic living and a lifestyle of adventure. 

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Elizabeth Kirby @local_milk

Elizabeth is a photographer, stylist, creative consultant, and recipe developer as well as the creator of the blog Local Milk. She is based out of the Appalachian foothills in Tennessee. Her feed shows the elegance in daily life and tradition. Her work is absolutely whimsical, as if she has made every day into a simple yet beautiful fairy tale. 

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Tiffany Rogers @rogersmade

Tiffany Rogers alongside her husband Matt founded RogersMade, a collaborative creative company whom specialize in crafting home goods. She is a maker and photographer who embraces creativity. Her feed is soothing and peaceful just like the fantastic handmade candles that are one of their many quality products. Join Tiffany and her husband as they travel around the South welcoming all of us into their experience as being Southern artisan makers.

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