:: Johnny’s Storybook Modelling Career

:: The Beginning

In December 1999, at the famous surfer area in Huntington Beach, California, athletic Johnny was seen surfing. First, the 18 y/o reacted rather shy and distrustful when he received the spontaneous offer of a photo shoot because at that time he had no experiences as a model.

One month later, the blond novice agreed to model for von Berg at his location in Hollywood. To be more secure he brought his dark-haired buddy Chris to the set. It was a marvellous sunny winter day. Henning’s good friend, the German photography student John Aigner, assisted with the sun reflector.

Initially, both young men were understandably reserved and static. However, the easy atmosphere in the outdoor setting led the models to relax. Johnny and Chris posed in different clothing outfits with various backgrounds at the location: the steep street up to Mount Olympus near West Hollywood, the pool with waterfall, and the house with the exotic palm garden. At the end of the shoot, when it came time to produce some artistic nude shots, Chris responded with reservation. Johnny was more courageous and clearly uninhibited.

Ten days later, a meeting was scheduled to examine the negatives and slides. Everybody was very happy with the results. Therefore Johnny decided that he would like to do a second shoot, but this time with his girlfriend Crystal. Von Berg suggested a session in front of the famous, hip and whimsical fashion shops on Melrose Avenue.

One week later on that street, Crystal showed her talents as an excellent model. She was easy to work with. Everybody liked this good looking blond girl. Even though a beginner, she posed really professionally and with a relaxed attitude. She was so much fun she kept Johnny laughing. Pedestrians stopped to watch and car drivers honked their horns when they saw this working team with the tall photographer and his cameras, an assistant with the huge sun reflectors, and two attractive laughing models.

For a third shooting, von Berg invited Johnny and Chris to a friend’s photo studio in Beverly Hills. There, under studio light conditions, the crew produced special fashion shots, head-shots and portraits, and artistic nudes with light and shadows.

 

:: The Start of a Dream Career

Everybody was pleased with the results of the three photo sessions. The young models selected some custom prints, and then took their portfolios
to apply at three renowned model agencies in Los Angeles. For Johnny, a professional modelling career started quickly. First, he was booked for a nice project with beach/swim wear. The US company Bikini.com hired a team of 6 American photographers to produce a book and a calendar with 10 California surfers and their trendy beach outfits.

Right afterwards, a sensational request for a second booking arrived. Johnny received an offer from one of the most famous photographers world-wide and for one of the most successful fashion labels in the world: He was booked by Bruce Weber to model for an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.

In spring 2001, one could admire the smiling Johnny on several pages in the A&F-catalogue. Together with other attractive girls and boys, he frolics playfully on heavenly beaches and in great villas. Even though the purpose of the catalogue is to sell trendy fashion outfits, on many pictures you can see the models without any clothes at all. Johnny Beyer now belongs to the crème de la crème of top models who is flying between international bookings. Check the marginal sample images shown below.

Photo models, including fashion models, should not be inhibited to pose‘á naturale’.

:: Fashion Photography and Nude Photography are closely connected

Today, following the trendy Versace style, all renowned fashion and perfume companies know the commercial value of showing skin. In fashion catalogues and advertising campaigns, the marketing strategists try to generate a positive image with erotic overtones. Secondary in catalogues or ads are the current colours and designs of the respective season presented. For it is in the subconscious we recall the strong erotic images more than the fashion statements. We are left remembering things like beauty, youth, fun, love and success.

Therefore we are seeing much more bare skin in contemporary fashion catalogues. For more than three decades, marketing specialists have been promoting tasteful erotic images via aesthetic nude photography. Modern photo models, including fashion models, should not be inhibited to pose "á naturale"! You can read more about this very subject in the section "Commercial Shoots".

In the beginning, only Bruce Weber photographed for the American top label Abercrombie & Fitch. Now the star photographer is managing and directing a whole team of international assistant photographers in order to submit images in the typical "A & F style". New fashion models with fresh faces and sportive bodies are very welcome...but don’t be shy to show some skin!

© Fotos: Abercrombie.com, Bikini.com, Bruce Weber, Henning von Berg

 

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