Ulisses Bodybuilder in the Gym

Yamen Sanders

Physique Model Trevor Bell

Coyote Swimwear

Come Hither

Mature Rasta Man

Puqqu Urban Collective

Behind the Lens 003 - A Few Good Men

Over the years, I have worked with some talented men who have modeled in front of my lens. You never really know how shallow people can be until they are critiquing your photography of male models or, in my case, guys or male friends who were kind enough to strike a pose for me. In my photography career, I have met the most scrutiny in my photography of male models, or models who happen to be male. Some of it, early on was due to my level of knowledge and ability as a beginning guy (or queen...LOL) with a camera. While I still have a lot to learn, I know better now, especially with my works earlier this year with my male models, German and Rob, that I have improved significantly. There are still some things I want to achieve, but when I get nasty comments on my various sites - it is usually because I just don't seem get it right with the fellas. Maybe that is because a lot of the people looking at my works with male models are looking for something more in line with a porn site, than an artsy fartsy sort such as myself. While I appreciate a good eye candy session now and again, that has its place and the photographers who shoot male nudes, whether artistic or not in nature, are usually well-versed in that type of photography. It is whole different ball game insofar as lighting, set up, even talent. I consider the sources, as usually the person posting such comments has no works of their own to showcase. I am proud of any of my models who have stepped in front of my camera. They were all professional in their demeanor, took direction well and showed up on time. What more could a photographer want? Now, as I was learning, sure not every shot was a magazine cover - but they weren't all 'snapshots' either.

Here are a few from my earlier works that I still look at with pride...

Bronzed Yungin' - Model: Jeuvel Milner

Jeuvel was one of my very first models. We were both learning at the same time. We both like this over the shoulder glance of his.

Wicked, Model: Jeuvel Milner

We had a little bit of fun for Halloween. I couldn't believe I demonized this poor guy. We had fun with it though. It's funny because he was one of the nicest guys to work with. I should have created some angel wings instead of those wicked eyes...lol.

Justin

Deliverance, Model: Daniel Silveira

I am so proud of how far Daniel has come in his modeling. Now, he works with some of the top photographers in the business. I probably couldn't afford him now...lol. Always gave me what I wanted artistically. Very determined to get the right shot for what I was looking for.

Daniel Silveira

Dreams; Model: Justin

Justin

Justin is a good friend of Diva Kingsley's and when he came into town a few years ago, he was kind enough to let me play with my camera. That's where it is at. A lot of my models and I have exchanged artistry and talent over the years. It keeps one humble and on your toes. That is because you are dealing with people's free time, which to me is more than money. Sure, we all like to get paid, BUT a 'freebie' really isn't a 'freebie.' Justin was just a cool, cool guy to work with and he became one of my sites early heart throbs - and nobody was more surprised than him.

Tattoo, Model: Adrian

I was looking for a bad boy type and my friend came into town with his new partner. Although he is a soft spoken, classical music loving chef...to look at him - I thought "GRAB MY CAMERA, STAT!" I need a thug! LOL. This one ended up being up for consideration in my Best Picture contest last year, for my Cassone Channel Honors. While it didn't make the final cut, I was pleased that my work with him got so much positive feedback from my website visitors.

Like a Rock Star, Model: Victor

Victor is a visual artist from Miami and his sinewy frame and awesome hair, helped me create this silhouette. It was something I had always wanted to do up to that point and he was a willing muse. I can hear the electric guitars every time I see this...lol.

Model: German - March 2010 Photography by Cassone Feature

Be sure to catch the slideshow at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRwRgkSHbQI

As I catch up on various projects, I wanted to share my photography feature from March 2010. I will be posting more of my archives on this blogsite in the next few months. I would have done this sooner, but I finally decided to start cataloging all of my works - you know, assigning a number to each photo then filing it away... an arduous task, but now that I am getting a hold on it the results are making me so much more organized! I am happy about that :>))

German Martinez, Model
A.D., Location Producer
Antonio Cassone, Photographer

Very rarely do I do a test shoot with a model and right away know it will become a feature. German Martinez is my feature from March 2010. This man of a thousand faces creates mood within seconds transforming himself between comedic to pure, surefire drama. A rare, seemingly untapped talent.

THE DEN

THE WONDER

THE LOOKOUT MAN

"FEAR"

"FEAR"

"PAPARAZZI"

"MYSTERIOUS WAYS"

"FEAR" (framed)

"i think somebody's watching me"

"German"

"Losing All His Marbles"

"Pieces"

"German Martinez"

"The Rotator File"

Back Atcha a.k.a. Late Night Trade (Photography Archives #017)

"Late Night Trade"

Model: Nkosi Figueroa

Photo: Antonio Cassone

"Back Atcha"

Model: Nkosi Figueroa

Photo: Antonio Cassone

These two photos were from my session with Nkosi. I thought a little something for the boudoir collection, but with a twist. I love bringing out a naughty and nice quality in my models. There is nothing wrong with throwing a little sensual heat to the foray, nor is there any fault in showing characters within a reality. Nkosi can do anything as a model. I hope to work with him again. In "Back Atcha," I loved the over the shoulder glance he was giving. It was totally opposite anything else we did on that shoot. It was one of my most hit upon images in the early days of the website, but not as much as "Late Night Trade" and "Entourage" (which will be posted in a furure article). "Late Night Trade" is a play on words in more than one way with multiple variables... His expression was what Iwanted. Where are those casting directors?

NKOSI~FIGUEROA (Photography Archives #014)

NKOSI~FIGUEROA

Model: Nkosi Figueroa

Photo: Antonio Cassone

2003

Looking back, even before Anya Allen and I worked together, I did some test work with Nkosi...who is my 'son-in-show.' In my female impersonation career, I used to go by the stage name "Miranda Davison" (that all changed in 2008 - those fabulous details will be revealed on this blog in time). Nkosi took on the stage name of David Davison and has always been a consistent entertainer, bringing to the stage a variety of performances - and even a character or two (most notably his impersonation of Andre 3000 from the group Outkast). I wish I wish I wish I knew then what I know now as a photographer, because he was a great model to work with. Time and distance has kept us from working together in recent years, but you never know - we may work together again someday.