DAVID VANCE: Master Photographer of Male Form.

Ok guys I know we love nude men and it is always a great sensation to admire the male form depiction. Thankful we have photography to keep the young amazing bodies for the eternity and yea we have the photographers to make the work for us. For more than 30 years David Vance has enjoyed a successful career photographing advertising and editorial assignments for Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Interview, Men’s Health, Rolling Stone, Tennis, Uomo and Harper’s Bazaar, Italia. He is a celebrity in the photography world and he had taken photos of stars as Dione Warwick or Ricky Martin. One day he can be in New York, where his studio is located, or in Australia, Paris or Rome. He is always shooting for a cover magazine, a model campaign, an advertisement. He worked with Revlon, Rolex, Sony, Atlantic and Island Records, Time-Life, Doubleday, Coca-Cola, Panama Jack, Kodak, Lions Gate and Miramax films and they loved his great sensibility to shoot on. David’s fine art is a collection of masterpiece work ready to travel into our eyes with his nod to classicism in Greek and Roman sculpture. Hi stunning images of the male physique had been published in four essential books as Timeless (2008), David Vance Photographs by David Vance (1998), Attractions- C (2001) and The Woods by David Vance (1996). Take a look and know more about a master of the contemporary photography.

Interview by Antonio Capurro

capurroantonio@gmail.com

When did you discover you wanted to take photographs?

It began when I was 14. My passion at the time was art… drawing, painting, etc. My parents in an effort to spare me the trials of the starving artist veered me toward photography. I took the bait.

Is photography your passion in life?

My passion in life is to be joyful… and artistic expression does that for me. Photography is my current medium of choice.

Did you fantasize about men when you were a child?

Yes, I remember being attracted to men at age 5. Then I should to ask.

How were your fantasies?

I don’t remember anything specific about that time and I remembering being comfortable around men.

Did you know you wanted to immortalize those men in your mind?

No. Actually I was more into photographing women early on.

How was your coming out process?

I never really came out to my parents until I had been out for many years.

What you were afraid on?

The same as everyone I was afraid of disappointing the ones you loved me, knowing that they would disapprove.

Was it easy for you?

No. I was raised Catholic by Italian American parents. My sexual experience was heterosexual until I was 19 and even after that between boyfriends.

What do you think about gay marriage and the Non to Prop 8?

I think it’s unfortunate that equal rights are an issue. In a perfect world it would be a given.

Would you like to get married and have children?

No. I’ve never had the desire to do either.

What do you look forward to see from new government?

An effort to bring the world together, to infuse the idea into the mass consciousness that peace is possible.

Are you joined to social causes?

NO

Do you get involved in politics?

Not before this presidential campaign.

Do you see yourself making a kind of committed art?

No. I hope that what I do inspires others to be moved by and appreciative of the beauty that surrounds us, to suggest that we are more than we appear to be.

What is your concept of beauty?

It can be so many things, but overall form, harmony, proportion.

Physically what is your ideal of men for your photos?

I have very eclectic taste. I do prefer a body that well proportioned over one that is not. I love all kinds of looks but find mixed ethnicity the most fascinating.

What do you look for when taking male nude?

Other than the obvious physical attributes, the most important thing is an awareness and appreciation of the process. Someone who is humble about their beauty and enthusiastic about creating art is always the best subject.

What do you want your models express for the cam?

The model needs to be awake. That is aware of his body and face, in control and responsive to direction.

Do you make a casting?

No. Not unless it’s a commercial job and the client is looking for something specific. These days models find me and express an interest in working together.

How do you make them feel comfortable when finally they get naked?

Well first of all, I usually take other non nude photos first… unless the subject is accustomed to posing nude. Also I am very clumsy… I usually trip a lot so there is usually lots of laughter and general levity.

Do you need a special environment?

I like working in my studio with just my assistant. Sometimes I have the assistant leave the room. Also I love shooting in outdoor environments that are private.

Tell us about your beginning in your career?

I opened a studio with a business partner shortly after college. We shot everything including weddings… which were a horrific experience. I was in my 20’s and looked several years younger… so I didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

How much did it take you to create your studio and to have a name in the world of the photography?

It took many years but it wasn’t my goal. I have been very lucky to be doing what I love from an early age. I was able to stick with it mainly because I love it so much. I have the good fortune to wake up every day and face my work with enthusiasm.

When photography is art for you and when not?

It’s mostly art for me… except when I am strictly directed, but even then I am always pushing my taste and point of view.

Is a photography art only when is taken by a famous photographer?

Certainly not. Art comes from the heart and we all have those.

What do you consider a successful career?

Doing what you love and making enough money to not be stressed.

What new young photographers do you like?

I’m afraid I’m not up on who’s who in the world of the up and coming.

What kind of influences do you have in your artwork?

The great painters of the Renaissance, the Pre-Raphaelites, many figurative painters throughout history. Also of course the work of early fashion greats likes Horst and Avedon.

Why the subject Gods and Mortals? What do you try to express there?

Well the names actually came after the photos. I just started getting into more ethereal subjects and themes because I am creating images for myself and I have always been inspired by religious art.

About Gods is there something related to your personal beliefs?

Not consciously, but my photographs are always somewhat about who I am.

Sometimes your photos are sensual, strong, haunting and fascinating I got captivated contemplating them for a long time on your website. Did you have always a deep appreciation for classic painting and sculpture?

Yes my background is Italian, so I was exposed to that culture by my parents. I grew up with an appreciation for art and music.

In fact the photos of your web site are as the first photos in the story of photography when photographers wanted to translate the art of painting into the photography that is why their photos were alike to a frame. Do you look for that too?

I am often inspired by works of art created in other media. I will see a drawing or sculpture and use the pose or something else about it in a photo.

For a person like you is that possible to find beauty in the ugliness?

Of course, as well as ugliness in the beauty. These things are so subjective. It is my job to express MY impression not necessarily what is visible to others.

How is to work with the celebrities?

I guess that depends on the celebrity. Some are very down to earth and pleasant.. others are not.

Do you have any particular anecdote?

I can say that the more confident the celebrity the nicer they seem to be. The one’s who are insecure tend to be more difficult.

Who were the most demanding and who the easy one or the shy if you can tell us?

I just shot a popular new rapper Little Wayne. He was unpleasant… little guy with a great big attitude. But I have shot Dionne Warwick who’s still doing concerts all over the world after 40 something years and she’s always a pleasure. When she comes here we make her bacon cheeseburgers for lunch.

You are a very busy man; one day can shoot a cover for Harper’s Bazaar and another day to DNA?

Unfortunately Harper’s Bazaar Italia is no longer. I did some wonderful work with them and I miss that outlet… but yes I am currently still shooting for DNA.

Already you made several covers for DNA magazine? How is to work with very sexy and attractive men in front of the cam?

It’s quite a chore. (: Of course it’s nice to be around attractive men, but like anything else, it depends on the man. Sometimes the ones who are so beautiful can be a little full of themselves. I prefer a little less beauty and a little more humility.

I love your full frontal nude shoots.

I like dicks as much as the next guy…. You need to see my print site www.davidvanceprints.com and my book TIMELESS.

What do think about to show a full frontal nude male?

For me it needs to be subtle. If you look at a photo and the first thing your eye goes to is the penis, then for me it’s not a successful photo.

When you see a hard on in the photo and taken by a famous photographer still can we call it art?

You can call it whatever you like… but personally I think it’s a distraction. How many great works of art can you think of that contain an erection?

What is for you the difference between art and erotica?

I don’t see any reason why erotica can’t be artistic… but if the entire purpose of the piece is to arouse and it has no other merit, then to me it’s porn.

How do you get the inspiration for your personal projects?

I do in so many ways and other art like films and music. Often I am inspired by the subject. I’ve had models show up to be photographed and I have no idea what I’ll do. Then there is a serendipitous moment and something magic happens.

Who is for you the best photographer of all the times?

That is impossible to answer. There have been so many wonderful photographers there’s no way to pick just one.

What kind of photography do you like besides portrait?

I like reportage and the work of some photojournalists and the art of Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Do you feel comfortable in these times of digital cams and software?

I often have difficulty embracing change. I was reluctant at first, but now I don’t know how I worked before.

I bet Julia Cameron or Walker Evans were like to have this great technology.

It’s hard to say. There are still those who are purists. I am not. To me photography is just a medium I use to create art. The point is not how you get there.

What is your major ambition as a photographer or did you complete your goals?

I am doing the best I can to be true to who I am in my life. I appreciate the events that have brought me to this place. I can’t say that it’s the way I expected, but I am happy and feel appreciative for what I have been able to accomplish. The story could always have been different. Had I chosen to live in another part of the country or the world, I may have had a very different career, but I love where I live.. it’s like paradise. That was always more important to me than “success” the way the world defines it. I have no great ambition at this point. I am grateful that my work inspires others. I just do what I like and as long as I can pay the bills I’m content.

What do you do when you are not shooting?

Sleep. (: I do spend a lot of time at this computer.

Finally, what would you like to tell our readers?

We are all one. We are all the same. Love is the final destiny. It is the only reality. The rest is an illusion.

SHOOTING DETAILS

What are your hobbies and interests?

I still love to paint and draw. Occasionally I sculpt. Also I love to sing and perform here and there. I was in the South Beach Gay chorus for several years and I have done some local theatre.

What three things would you want to have with you if you were stranded on an island?

A pad and paper, a knife and sunscreen.

Would you go to dinner in a blind date or would you like to know the person?

Either way. I love to eat.

What are you afraid of?

Fear. I believe in the law of attraction.

What are the best and the worst compliments you have ever heard?

You look good for your age.

What is the best and the worst of your character?

I am honest and sometimes I am too honest.

What can you put in a bad mood?

Unresolved conflict.

What do you make smile?

Walking around my garden in the morning.

What are you able to do and not able to do in a relationship?

I am very tolerant. I don’t like to argue.

Have you ever find the love of your life?

Yes. Although we no longer share a bed, I have been living and working with the same person for 30 years.

Is there something that make you scream?

When I see people litter in the street.

If someone asks you to pose naked would accept it?

Probably not. Maybe 20 years ago.

When and with whom was the happiest moment in your life?

With my partner when we were still lovers, vacationing in Hawaii

What is the best lesson that you learned about life?

To live in a state of joy is a conscious choice.

Do you live thinking about the future or do you like to live the present?

I don’t spend much time thinking about the distant future. I will occasionally ponder tomorrow.

What advices could tell the young photographers pursuing the success and a great career?

Be awake. Find out who you are. Express that.

If you die and come back to reincarnate would be the same person or who or what would you like to be?

I think I would be the same person, with another chance to evolve further.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?

To love freely and honestly.

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?

I don’t have any.

Who would you have liked to be?

I never wanted to be anyone but myself. That’s enough of a task.

What is your favorite virtue?

Sincerity

What is it you most dislike?

Duplicity and the theft of innocence.

The quality you most like in a man?

Innocence.

What you don’t like to see in the world?

Hate and prejudice.

Check out more of David at David Vance Prints!