Richie Kul

Tui Travel - Durban & Cape Town, South Africa

2011-12-22T06:14:00.007Z

Right before the London homecoming I had the luck of visiting the African Continent for the first time courtesy of a print booking for German travel company Tui. One week in South Africa split between Durban and Cape Town. What a glorious nation with such a vibrant and resilient people. Reminded me a bit of my stint in Vietnam last year - a country that has undergone such strife and hardship and made tremendous efforts to transcend them. You can see that there's still much work to be done with the shantytowns that sprinkle the journey from the airport in Cape Town to the city center. Once there though, the contrast is startling as you're graced with a city so breathtaking in its disproportionate share of beautiful vistas. And still you experience brief interludes where you steal yourself momentarily from the visual overload and are reminded that wherever there is sun there is shadow, and like most things that seem too good to be true, it in all likelihood is just that.
But there were very few shadows cast on my short visit to the Rainbow Nation - everyone I had the pleasure of meeting was absolutely delightful and the places I visited (UShaka Marine World, University of Cape Town, Waterfront, Table Mountain, Clifton Beach) were great fun. See for yourself :)

Ballantine's Whisky - London, UK

2011-12-02T15:33:00.008Z

Shot in London by Roger Rich, Produced by the lovely Jo Matthews. Brilliant cast and crew and such a treat being back in my ol' stomping grounds again. Helped that we were in the midst of a gorgeous Indian summer at the time and people were in good spirits with picnic baskets, blankets and smiles at the ready at just about all the parks in West London. I'd just flown in from a one week shoot in Cape Town & Durban and was a bit exhausted from the travels but instantly energized being back again. Thanks to Jo, Sarah, Jenn, May, Lomo, Julie, Kim, Daniel, Guy, Ben, Kim, Ron, Doris, David and Warren for making this such a special outing. Hope to see you all again soon!

Portraits by Sebastian Faena

2011-08-12T05:31:00.005+01:00

Taken in Coral Gables during a shoot for V Magazine. Lily is quickly mastering her angles and is a real natural in front of the camera don't you think? :p

Vietnam - Shooting Oriental Pearls

2010-08-07T02:28:00.009+01:00

A few months ago, I had the privilege of flying out to Vietnam to shoot my first feature length film. What an incredible experience - amazing chance to work with a top-notch cast and crew, explore a beautifully rich culture, and continue honing my craft.

First stop was Saigon, which immediately evoked images of Bangkok 20 years past. Very similar sense of warmth prevails in both cities, and everyday life felt refreshingly laid back and relaxed in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan grind. Spent a week there working with a great language coach (the role necessitated I speak in the native dialect!) and getting a feel for the culture this character grew up in. From both a cultural immersion perspective and my own instant sense of wonderment for this beautiful new land (a sentiment I felt defines my character's outlook of the world), this was Method acting at its purest and finest :)

Next stop Hoi An, a charming coastal town in South Central Vietnam. Shoot schedule was intense (last day went 18 hours straight!) and yet it all flew by in a dizzying whir. Working with my lovely co-star Truong Ngoc Anh was a major highlight. Aside from being an incredible actress, she was very charming and personable, disarmingly down to earth and family oriented for someone who is widely regarded as one of the top film stars in Vietnam. We'd have some nice conversations over pho at the local vegetarian hole in the wall and while waiting for the next scene to be set up, and it became readily apparant to me why she is so universally admired among her fellow countrymen.

The movie, Oriental Pearls, starts making the festival rounds later this year and the trailer should be out in the next month or so. Will keep you all posted. In the meantime, some pics from my time in beautiful Vietnam!

Puppy Love

2010-08-07T01:58:00.010+01:00

Last month, I flew out West for one of my semi-annual family visits and came back with a sweet little bundle o' joy. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Lily, a 6 month old Westie Maltese that in the blink of an eye has filled my home with so much love and life. My sister rescued her from a local shelter and I have to say that she's far and away the BEST birthday gift ever - a little gift that keeps on giving :)
And the little lady has her own blog too :) Check out http://lilyladybug.wordpress.com/ to follow her latest adventures and please share pics of your own beloved pups in the comments section!

Shoot with Duc Nguyen

2010-05-14T23:40:00.003+01:00

New pics shot in NYC by my talented friend Duc Nguyen (http://www.ducphotography.com)

Paris 48 Hours

2010-05-09T06:30:00.007+01:00

Once again, apologies for the time between posts. Yikes, time flies. Lots to catch you all up on!
Several weeks ago, I got a call from Paris from my friend Jorge, the creative director behind the Fahrenheit shoot last year in NYC. He was coordinating a Wong Kar Wai-inspired cinematic fashion spread chronicling a couple's explorations of Paris over a weekend and wanted to see if I'd be able to take part. Pretty much a no-brainer as I really enjoyed working with Jorge the last go-round and found the story idea really compelling and well thought-out.
The working title of the the spread (Paris 48 Hours) couldn't have been more apt. What a whirlwind - flew into Charles de Gaulle and several hours later, myself, female model Pan Yan and a crew of ten were traipsing around the city hitting a good handful of the city's timeless monuments and flashiest hotspots - Tour Eiffel, Pont Alexandre III and the Seine, Pigalle, Hotel Lutetia, etc. Felt far more like sightseeing than work and when all was said and done, I could easily say that this shoot ranked very favorably in the list of my all-time favorite jobs.
The story appears in the current issue of WestEast magazine and below are some outtakes from my weekend in the city of lights!

Silver Linings - Ilha Formosa

2009-12-27T09:05:00.024Z

As many of you know, sad circumstances precipitated my journey to Taiwan late last month. I was deeply saddened to discover that my likeness had been used to perpetrate such heinous crimes and felt compelled to fly out and express my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families while also highlighting the ever-growing danger that internet crimes pose. Under the cloak of anonymity that the internet affords, everyone can be virtually anyone, and it is only through careful vigilance that we can thwart such malicious schemes. If my coming here and speaking out about these events can help prevent this sort of tragedy from befalling even one person in the future, my journey was well worth it.
Taiwan itself has been a poignant revelation. I arrived with no inkling of what to expect and was greeted with the warmest of welcomes. The Taiwanese people have been so generous in their hospitality and support, and the new friendships I have formed here are ones I will treasure forever. Hope to be back soon to see you all again!
Below are some of the special moments and people that defined my stay in Taiwan. After it had been dashed to smithereens by someone who savagely preyed on innocence and compassion, my faith in humanity was restored and deepened by the beautiful hearts and souls they put on full display.

Out Magazine - "Baby Daddy"

2009-08-20T07:45:00.006+01:00

"Baby Daddy" editorial by Matthias Vriens for the September issue of Out Magazine (Lady Gaga on the cover). Shortest shoot I've ever had, prompted in part by a certain costar making it very clear that he was ready to go home for his afternoon kip...

Full story available for perusal @ Design Scene

Facebook

2009-06-26T20:25:00.007+01:00

now on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richie-Kul/97295408781

Systema TVC

2009-06-25T00:46:00.004+01:00

One of my first (and still most favorite) tv commercials. Shot in Thailand and though no blood was spilt, sweat and tears were very much involved. After a fun-filled day of swishing and gurgling, my mouth and I imposed a permanent and unequivocal ban on alcohol-based mouthwash. Only way to keep that inner dragon in check :p

Portfolio Update

2009-05-08T22:02:00.008+01:00

Just got some pictures back from a test shoot in Brooklyn with Brian Heller. Have a great weekend everyone!

Fahrenheit

2009-02-11T22:26:00.006Z

It's still technically winter? Snowstorms on the imminent horizon? Didn't get the memo. Taken last month here in NYC - indoors of course. Might not be a meteorologist but I'm not crazy! :p

Photographer: Marian Sell
Creative Director: Jorge Tort
Hair and Makeup Artist: Vincent Oquendo

Bank of America TVC

2009-01-17T01:22:00.003Z

A commercial I shot late last year started airing in American markets recently and thought I'd share some candids. The advert is a series of vignettes showing employees reaching out and helping customers. I suited up for the role of "Dad with child" and had the pleasure of hanging out with Bruno, Yosuke and their lovely parents. Effortless work when your co-stars are so darned adorable!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-19T20:45:00.006Z

Some new picture updates and a shot of New York draped in a fresh coat of snow. Happy holidays everyone! How will you all be spending Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's - any fun/exciting plans?
Thanks for all the comments and emails you've sent over this year. Look forward to having more to share with you in '09!

Da-Da-Da...

2008-12-10T05:29:00.005Z

Taken in London for European-based urban retailer Dada

Seasons of Change

2008-11-23T04:48:00.004Z

An assortment of pictures taken at various points in time of the same fabled plot of Manhattan real estate. Note the ever-changing colors of the Empire State building. The novelty of it never gets old...

D.S. Dundee

2008-11-15T00:19:00.006Z

Autumn/Winter '08 campaign for a newly relaunched Scottish brand is online - D.S. Dundee.com. My favorite item's the trojan horse t-shirt - simple man, simple tastes :)

Out.com

2008-10-18T22:10:00.004+01:00

hey guys, short interview online over at Out.com

hope you all are having a great weekend. it's getting cold here in ny!

Card Collecting

2008-10-04T06:02:00.009+01:00

The composite card is like a model's greatest hits collection, a way of demonstrating his/her versatility and a means of leaving clients with a little something to remember them by post-casting. Agencies, depending on personal aesthetics and how editorial or commercial the markets they operate in are, can hold wildly different views on what pictures best sell you. Sometimes, they'll run two different versions at once and tailor the card to the brief. Quite sensible eh?
Below's an assortment of the comp cards I've acquired along the way.

The Long Way Home

2008-08-31T18:46:00.003+01:00

Hey guys, after three years in London I'm back on home soil and based in NYC!It's been awesome soaking in the vibrancy of this incredible city and after a week of tending to logistics I'm starting to settle into my new surroundings. The past month has been hectic saying goodbye to friends in the UK and packing up but I was rewarded with a nice getaway in Koh Racha (island 45 minutes off of Phuket).
And many thanks for the snaps of the StarHub bus/account statements! Always neat to see candids. Saw the Osim uSpace tvc and print whilst I was in HK and Thailand so you guys in Singapore might stumble upon it as well!

A Model's Life

2008-07-16T20:51:00.013+01:00

Perpetuated by the glitzy ads and commercials that spur consumer spending and fuel aspirational daydreams, one of the most enduring misconceptions about modeling is the belief that the glamour flows unabated into a model's everyday life. And while there are notable exceptions who've been launched into the stratosphere of penthouse suites and private jets, most models I know contend with a markedly more modest way of life.
Scraping by on a modest budget of sometimes as little as USD$65 a week (advanced from future earnings and often contingent on steady bookings and maintaining measurements) and huddled up in apartments that can sometimes house as many as 10, model living is traditionally basic and threadbare. Events called "Models Nights", where drinks and sometimes dinner are typically free of charge, can help defray the cost of going out, but after covering daily transportation and food costs, there still isn't much left of that $65 to stow away at the end of the week.
And coming home... Perish the thought of doorman buildings and walk-in closets. Model living often equates to bunk beds, disaster-zone kitchens and shared bathrooms (sometimes 4 to a room - think bunk beds). Obviously some are better than others but here's a sampling of some of the ones I've experienced first-hand.
To be fair, the model apartment experience can be a lot like summer camp, and though communal living isn't for everyone, the cramped conditions often do engender a strong sense of camaraderie as well as an adventurous spirit to go forth and explore.

Nivea TVC

2008-07-15T23:44:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago I was back in Asia again to shoot a tvc for Nivea. Other than the 6am call-time, the job went smoothly and I really enjoyed being back in Bangkok. Can't help but love the warmth and laid-back, positive energy that many Thais radiate. No wonder I'm going back again next month, though it might also have a little to do with the beautiful beaches and great food too :p

Horsing Around

2008-06-18T00:35:00.004+01:00

Props have a transformative quality when it comes to shoots, and when they're living and breathing, it adds a whole 'nother dimension of both fun and complexity. Yesterday's "prop" in question was of the equine variety, and it was incredible (and admittedly a bit disconcerting) working with and around a race horse's mood and temperment. Here are some candids from the shoot:

StarHub

2008-05-29T18:15:00.005+01:00

Here are the two versions of the StarHub job from earlier this month:

Polaroids - The Real Deal

2008-05-26T15:44:00.007+01:00

Particularly when it comes to direct bookings (jobs booked without the client seeing you in person), candid snapshots take on crucial importance. As nearly all tearsheets are digitally enhanced in some way or another, casting folks often lament that models look far different from their picture-perfect portfolios. That's why agencies typically require polaroids, first as a means to select whom they'd like to bring onto their books and subsequently to have on hand should clients request them. Here's my latest set:

Home Again

2008-05-25T14:11:00.007+01:00

Fourth outing in Singapore in the past year and it was just as great as the previous visits. Ended up doing two more jobs for StarHub (print and TVC) and two for Osim (print and TVC) - all should be popping up sometime in June. Above is the picture from the StarHub job last month (taken at the Hubstation roadshow at Plaza Singapura).
Landed back in London Friday afternoon and stopped off at the flat quickly only to rush out again to a fitting for a job that shot all day yesterday (8am-midnight!). Was a bit rough as I was still on Singapore time but as it was all location shoots (Canary Wharf, the City, Tate Modern/Millennium Bridge) it was nice to have a good reason to venture 'round town and revisit some of the city's hotspots.
Below are some of the highlights of this latest stint in Singapura. Hopefully I'll be back again at some point this year!

Back in Singapore AGAIN!

2008-05-13T16:42:00.003+01:00

Seems I just can't get enough of the Garden City. Came out this time for print and TVC for Osim and had a great time shooting with an exceptionally cool cast and crew. Also came across the StarHub ad shot just two weeks prior (it's out already!) whilst wandering around - promise to load some new pics as soon as I'm back in London again.

Singapore Revisited

2008-05-08T01:37:00.009+01:00

After three visits in the past year, Singapore has quickly become one of my favored stomping grounds, and I'm always stoked to back on Orchard observing what's changed in my absence (lots - seems like there's major construction going on just about everywhere). So when the call came last week to shoot a job for StarHub, I was thrilled. Weather was as oppressively hot as I'd remembered but I had a great time catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. Looking forward to getting back out there again soon!

Some of my favorite places:

True Fitness, Raffles Place (sadly closing down in the next few weeks)

Clarke Quay

Takashimaya Food Court
the pool at the Marriott
Miao Yi vegetarian restaurant, Coronation Plaza
Cathay Cine Leisure

And some of my favorite people:

Adrian

Lara, Ciane, Troy

Lynn, Aaron, Monica

Taylor, Justin

Test Shoot

2008-04-26T21:20:00.004+01:00

New photos taken by Angus Chan, styled by Patryk Chaou

HSBC

2008-03-24T01:16:00.000Z

Shot TVC and stills for HSBC last month and both the commercial and print ad were unleashed upon HK and Macau television viewers, public transit passengers and newspaper readers a few weeks ago. Really fun/funny job - the campaign is apparantly meant to highlight how the bank and its magic money cards are the key to fine wining and dining so that entailed female model Natasha and I demonstrating to the best of our ability how to live the high life. That meant feasting on lobster, sushi, decadent desserts, etc. Sounds pretty good, right? One small problem - she abhors seafood and I'm a vegetarian. Plus, film costs mucho dinero so you have to cram as many usable takes in as short a timeframe as possible so no leisurely nibbles. No no, BIG bites and FAST chewing, all while looking like you're in a state of deep, unadulterated bliss. Haven't seen the TVC component yet so hard to determine if ultimately we were convincing but here's the print ad:

Swatch Spring/Summer 08

2008-02-21T20:24:00.003Z

Just rolled out earlier this month. We each shot individually and photographer Kristian Schuller completed the wind tunnel effect with a little post-production legerdemain. Ad looks a bit spliced because it was - a two-pager scanned in from the March issue of Wallpaper

Models 1 - London, UK

2008-02-15T22:48:00.007Z

Just joined the men's board at Models 1 this week. Looking forward to working with the awesome bookers at the best agency in town!

Hong Kong

2008-02-04T14:53:00.000Z

Have wanted to try working in HK for quite some time now, esp after having had really positive experiences in Bangkok and Singapore. January in many Asian markets can be quite a slow period though, and with clients in countries that celebrate Chinese New Year often going on extended vacations and/or postponing jobs until after the holidays, you run a big risk of sitting around twittling your thumbs contemplating the meaning of life for hours on end. Still, there's always that chance that you land a big budget tvc and then all is right and well in the world.

That being said, I'm definitely glad I came out here - met some great people, had some nice shoots with still time left over to do a bit of pontificating :)

Swatch Winter 07

2007-10-28T19:18:00.001Z

Shot back in June and in stores now! I booked the job through my London agency, shot it in Mallorca, and a friend spotted the ad yesterday in a watch store in Singapore. It's a small world after all...

Photographer: Kristian Schuller

New Body Shots

2007-10-26T20:20:00.000+01:00

Taken in London a couple months ago...

Expressions Spa

2007-10-09T18:31:00.000+01:00

A good friend who was in Singapore last month recently sent this over - a scan from the local paper. Had a chance to get some treatments there while I was in town this summer and needless to say, it was a great way to spend a few hours post-flight/pre-shoot. Endorsing a spa sure is hard work! :p

Her World

2007-09-18T17:13:00.001+01:00

From the June-August issue of Her World Brides. Styled by Vernon Sim and shot by Lance Lee. Other model is Fernando, my roommate in Singapore!

Globetrotting

2007-09-14T00:52:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the long absence. Since the last post I've been to Spain, Thailand, HK, Malaysia, Las Vegas and back once more to Singapore - lots of moving around for a self-professed homebody. Below are a few pics taken along the way. Looking forward to catching up with you guys - thanks for all the sweet messages!

FHM

2007-06-14T05:29:00.000+01:00

Part of what prompted me to venture out to Singapore in the first place earlier this year was a series of chats I had with my friend Sam, whom I met during my first contract in Thailand nearly two years ago. Singapore is a bit of a playground for her - she works well there and has a good lay of the land, so hearing her gush about her experiences and her plans to return nudged me into giving it a shot myself. Glad I ended up following through with it, and one of the highlights of my stint was that Sam and I had a chance to work together again, this time for FHM.
From the May issue: "Raise the Red Pattern", photographer: Simon Sim

Wiener Models - Vienna, Austria

2007-06-12T13:15:00.000+01:00

Went to Vienna this weekend and popped in to visit my new agency there - Wiener Models! The two bookers, Dominika and Kosmas, are really cool and run a very solid, tight board. Very much looking forward to working with them :)

August Man

2007-05-23T02:01:00.000+01:00

Two of my favorite shoots in Singapore were for August Man, a "monthly men's luxury lifestyle publication" in the vein of Details and GQ. Shot on location (which I always much prefer - gives a picture more texture and depth vs. a boring plain-background studio shoot) at Indochine @ Clarke Quay (story - "Chinois Noir", photographer - Scott Woodward) and at the Marriott Hotel just off of Orchard (story - "Zen and the Art of Dressing", photographer - Dave Kennedy)

Singapore - Looking Back

2007-05-07T13:13:00.000+01:00

Two extensions and many great memories later, I'm finally back in London after a 2.25 month stay in Singapore. Was initially apprehensive of model apartment life after my stint in Milan but there's something special about the camaraderie and mayhem that ensue when 15+ people from 'round the world hunker down in cramped living conditions. So happy I went and so thankful for the great times with Adrian, Lucie, Jessica, David,Angie, Sam, Chuando, Colin, Frey, Ivana, Fernando, Ana, Isadora, Chadli, Olesya, Jacqueline, Faz, Tanya and Renata.

Some highlights:
Night Safari with Jessica and Addy
Two shoots with August Man
Night swimming at a deserted Sentosa beach w Addy and Angie
Easy access to vegetarian food on Orchard - 8 Immortals, Takashimaya, Lingzhi
Bye bye Balmoral, hello Grange :)
Saturday nights at eM Studio

Better yet, I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Singapore

2007-03-13T05:24:00.000Z

Greetings from Singapore! I've been here for two weeks now and am really enjoying myself. Have met some great people and there's so much to do so no complaints. Below are a few pictures of places I've gone and people I've met...

London Revisited

2007-02-09T18:00:00.000Z

Had a good friend from SF visiting this past week and it afforded me the opportunity to purposefully explore London once more. I know - shouldn't need an excuse but it's always more fun doing things in the presence of good company. Some places/sites I never get tired of seeing (Portobello Market, Ben, the Eye) and others I glaringly hadn't gotten around to visiting until now (Tate Modern and the Millenium Bridge)
Hitting you with some highlights...

Scout - Zurich, Switzerland

2006-11-16T19:57:00.000Z

Recently signed with a great agency in Zurich - Scout Models, headed up by Bettina Schaefer and Brigitte Gubser!

Vegetarian Festival - Thailand

2006-10-23T20:45:00.000+01:00

This time last year, I was in Thailand enjoying the first few weeks of what would ultimately extend into a lengthy four-month stay. Little did I know that I'd be arriving in the midst of my epicurean paragon - the ten-day Vegetarian Festival. Occuring every October, it's a time when many Buddhists partake in a cathartic ritual of abstaining from their traditional diets and instead, eating healthily and cruelty-free. Supply shifts comfortably and rather seamlessly to meet demand, as stalls quickly transform themselves under the omnipresent yellow banner to sell meat-free variations of their best sellers. The Festival just started a couple days ago and already I'm wishing I were back...
Pictures from last year:

Kite Heaven

2006-10-11T12:39:00.000+01:00

Shot a TVC for Nokia right before I left for Thailand. From what I hear, it's catching some good airtime in Singapore, HK and Taiwan. Was a fun day made moreso by some great co-stars - Dali (son) and Clare (wife). Easily one of the best parts of business - the cool people you meet along the way...

Link to the English version of the commercial

Comfort TVC

2006-09-26T01:03:00.000+01:00

hey guys, sorry for the prolonged silence. just got back from thailand and have lots to catch you up on! shot a tvc for comfort laundry detergent a few weeks ago and i've heard from a few friends in bangkok that it's currently on air. the shoot itself was relatively painless save for some 30+ tumbles off a bike. scenario: pass by a group of five ladies and one in particular is so captivating in her olfactory charms that i lose concentration and take a spill. yes, there was a mat to cushion my fall but i was pretty bruised up the next day. serves me right for not getting it perfect on the first take!

Milano

2006-06-28T13:42:00.000+01:00

What New York is to bankers and Mecca is to Muslims, Milano is to models (wow, perhaps I should submit that to the College Board for SAT consideration :p) so with the quick 1.5 hour flight from London and the ubiquity of low cost carriers here in Europe I figured it was something I ought to try at least once. Late June is when the menswear shows happen in Milan, so a few weeks prior, male models the world over (but mostly from Eastern Europe and North America) descend upon the city like vultures on freshly fallen prey.

Unfortunately for said vultures, prey is scarce and competition is plentiful. A friend recently mentioned that Milan is one of those places only worth going if you've already made a pretty sizeable dent in the industry and I would tend to agree. Show castings are huge cattle calls the likes of which I've rarely seen, and the odds are pretty slim given that a typical show doesn't use more than 20 models. Showroom castings are even worse - hundreds of models vying for a job that entails 12 hours of walking back and forth in a showroom for potential buyers and getting paid a little more than 100 euros a day for your efforts.

The city itself was also a bit of a letdown. Somehow I'd expected more from a city renowned as a big fashion hub, but what I encountered was rather provincial compared to NY, London and Paris. Public transport infrastructure was downright primitive, food options were uniform and unsavory (after 9 days of pizza, pasta and foccacia I'm happy to pursue more culturally diverse fare), and beyond the Duomo at the center of the city, there isn't all that much to see or do.

Still, it was a good life experience and a trip of many firsts: first time
working in a market where i do not speak the native dialect (though Spanish is a pretty effective surrogate), first time I've lived in a model apartment (roommate was a French chain-smoking teenager who would borrow my towel (nasty) and use the kitchen sponge to scrub his sandals at the end of each day (nastier)), first time optioned for shows for some of the big fashion houses.

Model Apartment - The Four Seasons this is not...

Ladies Who Lunch

2006-06-12T22:48:00.000+01:00

Is a charity event ever truly complete without a cadre of models prancing around in silly hats and expensive suits? Such was the premise a few weeks ago for a mid-day soiree to raise money for a children's charity here in London. Attendees consisted of approximately 300 well-heeled women paying £80 a head to lunch with their similarly well-coiffed counterparts. As a yearly tradition, my agency here hands over ten of their male models to serve as eye-candy for the event. Turned out to pretty well-coordinated and it was for a worthy cause, so all in all a good day.

Offer Ends Fast!

2006-05-23T00:42:00.000+01:00

Ohio 3 Seater for only £475!
Doesn't get much more glamorous than this folks :p

London Calling

2006-04-23T22:24:00.000+01:00

Slowly but surely I've been getting around to checking out the monuments that London is famous for. Ben and the Eye didn't disappoint - here are some snaps complete with mood lighting...

Easter in Paris

2006-04-20T17:20:00.000+01:00

Spent Easter weekend in Paris and had a nice time. Met up with some friends from college and since it was my first time there, the itinerary consisted of the expected destinations: Tour Eiffel, Louvre, Musee D'orsay, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, Ste Chapelle, Notre Dame. Lots of pit stops at some great cafes and patisseries and more than enough walking to work it all off. Some highlights:

Paparazzi - Helsinki, Finland

2006-04-11T15:13:00.000+01:00

Recently joined up with Paparazzi, the oldest agency in Finland. Here's the link - I'm under the direct booking section:

Paparazzi Model Management

The Friends Along The Way

2006-04-10T20:27:00.000+01:00

It's an overused cliche I know, but one of the biggest perks of this job is the people it's enabled me to meet - a really cool and diverse cross-section of folks with interesting stories and perspectives to share. Shoots tend to wrap rather quickly when you get along with your fellow posers, and I've been genuinely impressed with the warmth and sincerity of the models and crew I've been lucky enough to work with.
A few shots of the guys and girls I've met along the way...

Stella Models - Vienna, Austria

2006-04-02T23:57:00.000+01:00

hey guys, just signed with a new agency in vienna. here's the link:

Stella Models

Misc

2006-03-28T15:21:00.000+01:00

Miscellaneous shots from a few months back. Hope you're all having a great week!

What's Going On...

2006-03-20T15:24:00.000Z

Hey guys, a short recap of the goings on of the past week. Worked two days on a print job for an oil company and shot a print campaign for a furniture chain - 8 hours lounging around on a sofa and getting paid for it - not bad :) Had options (shortlisted by a client for a particular job) for a tv commercial in Taiwan and another in Italy but those didn't materialize. After doing this for a while though you're less and less phased when things don't work out.
Starting to get back into tennis again - played eight hours this weekend and my shoulders are definitely worse for wear. Nice to be doing something other than just camping out in the gym though so I'm gonna try to keep that up.
Picture is from a beach shoot in Hua Hin for a travel magazine. Female model: Anouk M. from JIM Model Management

Hope you all have a great week!

Circuit Party

2006-03-10T16:56:00.000Z

Ever wonder why the same model sometimes shows up on a bunch of different agency websites? Well since clients often rely on local agencies to cast their jobs it's in a model's best interest to have a few different people working for him/her. By having representation in a couple different markets, models maximize exposure while simultaneously hedging risk, because if things get slow in New York, there's always Miami or Madrid.
In Bangkok I met a bunch of people for whom constant travelling is a way of life. They take contracts (airfare and accomodations advanced and deducted from subsequent paychecks) with agencies in different countries and check them off their list one after the other, generally staying in each location for two-three months at a time. Common stops among those I met were Hong Kong, Singapore, Capetown, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. What astounded me was that many of these folks start doing this as early as age 15 and only go home once a year if at all. I guess they're capitalizing on the most viable years of a traditionally short-lived career but it seems like an awfully hard life to sustain. Still, there's always that excitement you get when one of your agencies calls with news that you're optioned for a job in Italy or booked for a shoot in Malaysia, all without stepping foot in a casting. Pretty sweet.

Transcendence

2006-03-08T13:39:00.000Z

Was sorting through some old files today and came across a poem I wrote a few years back...

Transcendence

An undirected focus, an introspective stare
From eyes so richly blessed by a life so well-exploited
Framed with the texture of the ages
Illuminated by a flame fueled by persistence
The commencement of a journey, a flooding of the senses

Timeless moments etched so saliently
Roused with effortless recall
A late night melding with Dante and Rousseau
Charged debates with friends from 'round the world
A glimpse into a world independently sustained
Tremulous nights of voidish uncertainty
The embers flicker anew

Emerging from the bubble with direction unknown
Yearning for fulfillment, a prophecy of success
Momentous struggle and tearful frustration
Culminate in hard-earned victory
A gesture of faith, the bestowing of trust
The lights dance a rhythmic jig

A warm embrace so reassuring
Dormant passion pleading to be felt
So exigent, leaping to the surface
Frustration absolved and pacified
Light and warmth permeate a barren fortress
Sustaining it with love
The flames surge to the heavens

Shoes so quickly overcome
Footballs thrown with pride and heart
Curfews so deftly negotiated
Bedtime stories long outgrown
A father's job so well-performed

The golden years gleam with splendor
Back burner plans inhale new life
Tenderness magnified through the years
Happiness unparalleled

Forged from adversity, molded by triumph
Passion made his life extraordinary
Patches of time were his ever-present friends
On a road so well-travelled
And as the flames dwindle to a spark
With soothing care they lift him up
To a realm where time stands still, and memories last forever.

--Richie Kul

Good Sport

2006-03-06T10:49:00.000Z

Here's a good example of the last post - pictures are from a two day job in Pattaya for Super Sports, a chain of sporting goods stores in Thailand. Drove out with two Brazilians from my agency and spent the following 48 hours warding off mosquitoes and 100F+ temperatures (we shot along the way to the end destination) while trying to decipher bits and pieces of Portuguese. Not one of most favorite jobs of all time but it was nice to spend some time on the beach.

The Commercial Side of Things

2006-03-03T17:07:00.000Z

The runways of Paris and Milan and flashy editorial spreads in high fashion magazines are what usually generate buzz and turn heads in this industry. And understandably so - they exemplify what people have long associated with modelling: edgy, chiseled facial features, impossibly long legs, taut, toned physiques. Adjacent to the glitz and glamour of this world and sometimes overlapping with it though is the commercial side of the market - the catalogs, commercials, billboards and print ads where pouty lips and mesmerizing stares are replaced with toothy grins and cheesy wholesomeness. Decidedly more approachable and mainstream, it's the segment of the market that I've personally found the most success. Highlights have been commercials for Sony, K-Swiss, and Panasonic and print work for Shell and QuarkXPress.
Nice thing is that people generally aren't exclusively high fashion or commercial. Many models manage to book both types of work though proportions vary depending on the model and the agency. Some agencies have an inclination/client base that goes one way or the other but for the most part, boards are broken down quite simply by male and female. So don't be surprised to see or hear of a model who shoots a sporting goods catalog one day, does a Versace show the very next, and then turns around and hawks toothpaste. It's the nature of the business and what helps keep things interesting...

Cosmo

2006-03-02T14:51:00.001Z

From the November 2005 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine - one of the last shoots I did before leaving NYC. Shot in Connecticut and accompanied a story entitled "Get the Affection You Desire". If I remember right it was a 6 am call time and they drove about 12 of us out there from Manhattan's Upper West side. Day consisted mainly of sitting around reading and talking as each pair waited their turn. Actual shooting didn't take more than 20 minutes but we didn't get back to the city 'til around 9 pm. Magazine jobs like these don't pay all that well but they're generally pretty relaxed and the exposure is usually good. I think the following Cosmo shoot was an overnighter in the Hamptons which would've been good fun. Photographer: Robert Delahanty

Swing

2006-03-01T18:19:00.000Z

From the February edition of Swing Magazine. Not much of a golfer myself but my brother, a PGA star in the making, gave his seal of approval so that works for me.
Co-model is Pamela from Mode Model Management. Clothes: Puma and Mizuno

Top Gear

2006-02-28T19:44:00.000Z

Just got back from four months in Thailand and thought I'd share a few shots from my time there. This set is from the Thai edition of British car magazine Top Gear.
Car: Cooper Mini
Watches: Oris
Clothes: Realistic Situation